RECIPES: ALANA AL-HATLANI; FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELYphotographs by VICTOR PROTASIO
SERVES 9
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1∕4 cup powdered sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
3∕4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
1∕2 cup all-purpose flour
1∕3 cup Dutch-process cocoa
1∕2 cup unsalted butter
1∕2 cup 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips (from 1 [12-oz.] pkg.)
1 cup granulated sugar
1∕4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3∕4 cup cherry pie filling (such as Lucky Leaf)
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch square metal baking pan with cooking spray; line with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until light and fluff y, about 1 minute. Add 1 of the eggs and 1∕4 teaspoon of the salt; beat until just combined, and set aside. Whisk together flour, cocoa, and remaining 1∕2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until no lumps remain; set aside.
3. Add butter and chocolate chips to a large microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH in 30-second intervals, whisking after each interval, until chocolate is melted, about 1 minute. Whisk in granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined. Add vanilla and remaining 3 eggs; whisk until combined. Add flour mixture, whisking until no dry streaks remain.
4. Add batter to prepared baking pan, spreading in an even layer. Gently spread cream cheese mixture over batter; dollop cherry pie filling over cream cheese mixture. Using the tip of a butter knife, swirl cherry pie filling into cream cheese mixture as desired. Bake in preheated oven until cream cheese mixture is lightly browned around edges, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool to room temperature in pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour. Chill at least 1 hour before slicing.
Cookies-and-Cream Cheesecake Brownies
Prepare recipe as directed through Step 3. In Step 4, omit pie filling. Sprinkle 8 roughly chopped cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies over cream cheese mixture. Proceed with recipe as directed.
Dulce de Leche Brownies
Prepare recipe as directed through Step 3. In Step 4, omit pie filling; bake as directed. Microwave 1∕2 cup dulce de leche until warmed, about 30 seconds. Spread over hot brownies. Cool and chill as directed; sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
