8ouncescream cheeseat room temperature - I used dairy-free
1large egg
.33cupgranulated sugar
dark blue gel coloringI used saphire blue
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper leaving the ends long to use as a handle. Spray with baking spray, set aside.
Brownies:
Place chocolate and butter in a large microwavable bowl. Heat on HIGH for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth.
Stir in the sugar. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla.
Stir in the flour, just until combined. Stir 0.5-cup of white chocolate chips into the batter and pour into a prepared baking pan. Reserve the remaining chocolate chips for later.
Cream Cheese Filling:
Beat cream cheese, egg, and sugar together until smooth with a hand mixer. Mix in the blue gel coloring just until combined.
Drop filling on top of brownie batter using a large spoon.
Use a knife to swirl the cream cheese into the brownie batter in a random pattern.
Bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when stuck into the center of the brownies.
Remove brownies from pan and place on a cooling rack. Stick reserved chocolate morsels randomly across the top of the brownies to mimic stars. Allow to cool completely before serving.
Allow brownies to cool completely, then place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours before cutting. Cut chilled brownies with a thin, sharp knife. Make clean, smooth cuts and wipe off the knife with a clean towel in between each cut.
Notes
Feel free to add a full cup of chocolate chips if you would like more "stars" in your brownies
This recipe can be easily double and baked in a 9 x 13-inch pan for the same amount of time. However, cooking times are approximate given the fact that all ovens bake differently. Keep an eye on them.
Store leftover brownies covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.