Making the Brownies

Preheat Your Oven:

• Set your oven to 325°F. Grease and line an 8x8 or 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Melt the Chocolate Mixture:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, unsweetened chocolate, and semisweet chocolate chips together. Stir constantly until smooth and combined.

Incorporate Sugars:

• Remove the pan from heat and stir in granulated and brown sugars until fully dissolved. Let the mixture cool slightly—it should be warm, not hot.

Add the Eggs:

• Whisk in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. The batter should appear glossy and smooth.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

• Gently fold in salt, vanilla extract, and flour. Be careful not to overmix; this keeps your brownies fudgy.

Bake:

• Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely before frosting.

Preparing the Frosting

Whip the Cream Cheese and Butter:

• Use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese and butter together until fluffy.

Add the Sugar and Vanilla:

• Gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting is smooth and light.

Adjust Consistency:

• If your frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time. If too thin, mix in more powdered sugar.

Frost Your Brownies:

• Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. For clean slices, refrigerate for 15 minutes before cutting.