Description
Rich, fudgy 4th of July Brownies baked in muffin cups and topped with a creamy red, white, and blue cream cheese mascarpone swirl.
Ingredients
150 g semi-sweet chocolate chips
170 g unsalted butter
3 eggs, room temperature
150 g granulated sugar
150 g brown sugar
37 g unsweetened cocoa powder
90 g all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
300 g full-fat cream cheese
100 g full-fat mascarpone
50 g powdered sugar, sifted
Red gel food coloring
Blue gel food coloring
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 175°C and line a muffin tin with paper cases.
2. Melt the butter and chocolate chips gently over simmering water until smooth.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs with granulated sugar and brown sugar until pale and airy.
4. Gently fold the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture with a spatula.
5. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
6. Fold carefully just until combined. Do not overmix.
7. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared paper cases.
8. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the edges look set and the centers stay slightly soft.
9. Let the brownies cool completely so they firm up.
10. Beat cream cheese, mascarpone, and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
11. Stop mixing before the frosting becomes too soft.
12. Divide the frosting into three portions.
13. Leave one portion plain, then color one red and one blue with gel food coloring.
14. Arrange the three frosting colors side by side in a piping bag.
15. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled brownies to create a red, white, and blue swirl.
16. Serve fresh or refrigerate for later.
Notes
Use unsalted butter and add salt separately to balance sweetness.
White sugar and brown sugar create better texture and a light caramel flavor.
Room temperature eggs help the batter mix smoothly.
High-quality chocolate and cocoa powder give the best flavor.
Full-fat cream cheese and mascarpone create a rich, stable frosting.
Gel food coloring works best because it does not thin the frosting.
Measure ingredients by weight for better accuracy.
Melt chocolate gently to avoid burning.
Always preheat the oven before baking.
Ovens vary, so check the brownies around 25 minutes.
Do not overmix the batter.
Do not overwhip the frosting.
Store frosted brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Frosting can be stored separately and reused.
Optional add-ins include nuts or white chocolate chips.
Fresh berries make a pretty serving garnish.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: 4th of July
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie cup