Do I even need to say anything?
Just look at this brownie.
It was soft and it was moist, like a great brownie should be. I enjoy a cakey type brownie every once in a while, but usually I crave gooey, rich and deep chocolate brownies.
There was a top and bottom layer of brownie, but let’s get the obvious part. The star of the show, the coconut cream cheese. This makes the brownies extra moist and decadent. It”s sweet, adds texture, and a very light, subtle flavor of coconut.
I asked Kyle what he thought and he said it tasted like a classic brownie and the middle reminded him of marshmallow fluff. Hey I’ll take that, normally he grunts and says yum or it’s good. This was real feedback!
Coconut Cream Cheese Brownies
1/4 cup Sugar
1 Egg Yolk
3/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Shredded Coconut
2/3 cup AP Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
8 TBS (1 stick) Butter
4 oz Bittersweet Chocolate
1 1/4 cup Sugar
3 Eggs
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Coconut Extract, optional
preheat oven to 350 degrees
prepare an 8×8 baking pan
1. Combine the softened cream cheese, first amount of sugar, egg yolk, vanilla and coconut. Set aside and make the brownie batter.
Batter:
1. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
2. Melt butter and chocolate in 30 second increments until fully melted with a glossy appearance. Add second amount of sugar, eggs, vanilla (and coconut extract if using) and whisk until smooth and lump free.
3. Combine the flour mixture with the chocolate mixture and stir until combined.
4. Pour half of the brownie batter into a prepared baking pan. Add the coconut filling and spread across the batter, and top with the rest of the brownie batter.
5. Bake for 50-55 minutes. Let cool at least 30 minutes before cutting.
I made these with a friend who confessed to me she had never made brownies from scratch before. Hopefully I converted her from a boxed-brownie-maker into a brownie-baker.
You can also make these brownies with your favorite flavors. If you have a think against coconut, then how about adding some orange juice and zest? Maybe some peanut butter? You could even add some jam. The possibilities are endless….
….now if only this plate of brownies was endless also.
