Cottage Cheese Brownies (Printable)
Fudgy brownies with a creamy swirl of cottage cheese for added richness and a delightful chocolate flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Brownie Batter
01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
06 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
→ Cottage Cheese Swirl
09 - 3/4 cup cottage cheese
10 - 1 large egg yolk
11 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Step-by-step:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the paper extends slightly over the edges for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and well combined. Add eggs and vanilla extract, whisking thoroughly until the mixture is glossy and uniform.
03 - Sift cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder into the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain the fudgy texture.
04 - Blend cottage cheese in a food processor or with an immersion blender until completely smooth and creamy. Add egg yolk, sugar, and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture is uniform and lump-free.
05 - Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Drop spoonfuls of the cottage cheese mixture over the batter, then use a knife or skewer to create a marble pattern by gently swirling through both layers.
06 - Bake for 33-36 minutes until the edges are set and slightly pulling away from the pan sides. A toothpick inserted in the center should emerge with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
07 - Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing. This ensures clean cuts and allows the flavors to fully develop. For easier slicing, refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cottage cheese creates this incredible creamy tang that balances the intense chocolate flavor without tasting cheesey at all
- These brownies stay fudgy for days instead of drying out like traditional recipes
02 -
- Blending the cottage cheese until completely smooth is the difference between incredible brownies and ones with weird texture
- Underbaking slightly is better than overbaking, these continue to set as they cool and you want that fudgy center
03 -
- Use room temperature ingredients for the smoothest batter and most even baking
- The toothpick test should come out with moist crumbs, not clean, or you will lose the fudgy texture