Ingredients:
- 115g Unsalted Butter: Melted
- 200g Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs: Room temperature
- 5ml Vanilla Extract: For the brownie base.
- 60g All purpose Flour: Sifted.
- 45g Dutch processed Cocoa Powder: Richer and darker than natural cocoa.
- 5g Instant Espresso Powder: Boosts the chocolate flavor.
- 1.5g Salt: Balances the sugar.
- 90g Semi sweet Chocolate Chips: Added texture.
- 14 Savoiardi Ladyfingers: The firm Italian style, not the soft sponge fingers.
- 120ml Strong Brewed Espresso: Cooled.
- 15ml Coffee Liqueur: Optional but recommended for depth.
- 225g Mascarpone Cheese: Room temperature
- 120ml Heavy Whipping Cream: Cold.
- 30g Powdered Sugar: For the topping.
- 5g Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds beautiful black specks.
- 5g Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: For the final dusting.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 175°C and line your 20cm square pan with parchment paper.
- Combine the 115g melted butter with 200g granulated sugar in a large bowl and whisk until the mixture looks shiny.
- Add the 2 large eggs one at a time. Note: Whisking well after each egg helps create that crackly top.
- Stir in the 5ml vanilla extract and 5g instant espresso powder until fully dissolved and fragrant.
- Fold in the 60g all purpose flour, 45g cocoa powder, and 1.5g salt.
- Mix in the 90g chocolate chips until just distributed. Note: Overmixing at this stage makes the brownies tough.
- Spread the batter into the pan and bake for 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Whisk the 120ml cooled espresso and 15ml coffee liqueur in a shallow bowl.
- Dip each of the 14 ladyfingers into the liquid for exactly one second per side until moistened but still firm.
- Arrange the soaked biscuits in a single layer over the cooled brownie base.
- Beat the 225g room temperature mascarpone with 30g powdered sugar and 5g vanilla bean paste until smooth and velvety.
- Whisk the 120ml cold heavy cream in a separate bowl until it reaches stiff peaks.
- Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture gently until no white streaks remain.
- Spread the topping over the ladyfingers and dust with 5g cocoa powder until the surface is completely covered.