Hazelnut Tiramisu Brownies

When Jessica over at My Baking Heart posted these tiramisu brownies, I knew I had to make them. Immediately. Usually I find a recipe that calls out to me and put it on my “to do” list. These babies almost skipped every other dish I had on my list and I made them as soon as I could.

A little tip – if you don’t want the 8 egg yolks to go to waste, do as I did and use 5 of them in these Layered German Chocolate Cupcakes. Then you will have not one, but TWO super decadent treats. It’s probably a good idea to share

Hazelnut Tiramisu Brownies
yield: 15 large brownies

2 oz dark chocolate chips
16 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 c granulated sugar, divided
4 whole large eggs
8 large egg whites, divided
1 cup cake flour
2 tablespoons instant coffee
1/4 cup chopped, roasted hazelnuts
8 ounces Mascapone cheese, room temperature
8 ounces Neufchatel cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 package ladyfingers
1 cup coffee
2 tablespoons dark rum

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 13×9 baking pan and set aside.
2. Place chocolate chips in a large microwavable bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until smooth and melted, stirring after each time. Let cool slightly.
3. Pour melted chocolate into a mixing bowl fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat in butter on medium speed until well incorporated. Add in 1 cup of sugar, 4 whole eggs, and 4 egg whites, mixing until well blended. Mix in flour and instant coffee on low speed until just combined. Carefully fold in hazelnuts. Remove 1 cup of batter and pour remaining batter into prepared pan.
4. Place lady fingers rounded-side down on top of the batter, pushing down slightly on each one. Combine coffee with rum and brush onto the ladyfingers until saturated.
5. In a separate bowl, combine mascarpone cheese, Neufchatel cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 4 remaining egg whites, and vanilla extract. Carefully spread over the ladyfingers.
6. Drop dollops of remaining brownie batter on top of the cheese layer and swirl gently with a knife.
7. Bake for 45 – 50 minutes, or until brownies begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and the center is almost set. Let cool completely in pan before cutting.

Recipe slightly adapted from Chef Maureen Joyce & Barista Prima Coffee house via My Baking Heart