French Silk Brownies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

French Silk Brownies offer the best of both worlds—a fudgy, dense brownie base topped with a luscious, creamy chocolate mousse filling. The mousse is light yet rich, and it pairs perfectly with the deep chocolate flavor of the brownie. The contrast in textures between the dense brownie and the smooth, silky mousse creates a mouthwatering combination that is truly unforgettable. These brownies are easy to make, and they’re perfect for any occasion where you want to wow your guests with a dessert that’s both elegant and indulgent.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the brownie base:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

For the French silk topping:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

For garnish (optional):

• Shaved chocolate or chocolate curls

• Whipped cream

Directions

Prepare the brownie base:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

2. Make the brownie batter: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Stir in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined. Add the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder, mixing until smooth.

3. Bake the brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake. Once done, remove from the oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan.

Make the French silk topping:

4. Mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the cocoa powder and mix until well incorporated.

5. Whip the heavy cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream and granulated sugar together until stiff peaks form.

6. Combine the whipped cream and cream cheese mixture: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese and cocoa mixture until smooth and fully combined. Be careful not to deflate the whipped cream too much.

Assemble the French Silk Brownies:

7. Spread the mousse on top of the brownies: Once the brownies are completely cool, spread the chocolate mousse mixture evenly over the brownie base. Use a spatula to smooth the top.

8. Chill the brownies: Refrigerate the brownies for at least 2 hours to allow the mousse to set and the flavors to meld.

Serve and garnish:

9. Garnish and serve: Before serving, garnish with shaved chocolate, chocolate curls, or a dollop of whipped cream for extra decadence. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 9-12 brownies, depending on the size of the slices. Prep time is about 15 minutes, and the baking time is around 25 minutes. Allow 2 hours of chilling time for the mousse to set, so the total time for this recipe is around 3 hours.

Variations

• Use flavored mousse: Add different flavors to the mousse topping by incorporating coffee, mint extract, or orange zest for a unique twist.

• Add nuts: For extra texture and flavor, fold in some chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) into the brownie batter or sprinkle them on top of the mousse.

• Gluten-free version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version of these brownies.

• Add a layer of caramel: For extra indulgence, drizzle a layer of caramel sauce on top of the mousse before serving.

Storage/reheating

Store any leftover French Silk Brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. These brownies are best served chilled. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then serve.

FAQs

1. Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate in the mousse?

Yes, you can use milk chocolate, but the mousse will be sweeter and less rich than if you use unsweetened cocoa powder or dark chocolate. You may want to adjust the amount of sugar depending on how sweet your milk chocolate is.

2. Can I make these brownies ahead of time?

Yes, French Silk Brownies can be made a day or two ahead of time. Just keep them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

3. Can I use whipped topping instead of heavy cream?

While whipped topping (like Cool Whip) can be used in place of whipped cream, it will change the texture of the mousse. The homemade whipped cream gives it a lighter and fluffier consistency.

4. How do I know when the brownie base is done?

Check the brownies with a toothpick. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are done. If it comes out with wet batter, bake for a few more minutes.

5. Can I freeze the brownies?

Yes, you can freeze the brownies. To do so, wrap the brownies tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, transfer them to the refrigerator overnight before serving.

6. Can I add a layer of chocolate ganache?

Absolutely! For an even richer treat, pour a layer of chocolate ganache over the mousse topping before chilling the brownies.

7. How do I prevent the mousse from separating?

Make sure your heavy cream is whipped to stiff peaks and that the cream cheese mixture is smooth before folding them together. Mixing gently and not overbeating is key to keeping the mousse fluffy and cohesive.

8. Can I use a different type of cheese instead of cream cheese?

For a slight twist, you can substitute the cream cheese with mascarpone cheese or ricotta cheese for a slightly different flavor and texture.

9. Can I make this without sugar?

You can try substituting the sugar with a sugar substitute like stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol. However, the texture of the mousse may be affected.

10. Can I make this recipe without the brownie base?

Yes, you can make a French silk pie version of this dessert by making the mousse and serving it in a pie crust instead of on top of brownies.

Conclusion

French Silk Brownies are a luxurious, indulgent dessert that combines two favorite treats—brownies and French silk pie—into one irresistible dish. With a fudgy brownie base and a creamy, velvety chocolate mousse topping, these brownies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for any occasion, they are easy to prepare, and the rich chocolate flavor will leave everyone asking for seconds. Enjoy this delightful treat whenever you’re craving something decadent and chocolatey!

French Silk Brownies

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• Author: Alice
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 9-12 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

French Silk Brownies are an indulgent treat combining a fudgy brownie base with a velvety chocolate mousse topping. Made with cream cheese, whipped cream, and cocoa, this dessert is a luxurious, rich, and decadent chocolate lover’s dream. Perfect for special occasions or a sweet weekend treat, these brownies are sure to impress!

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Ingredients

For the brownie base:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

For the French silk topping:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

For garnish (optional):

• Shaved chocolate or chocolate curls

• Whipped cream

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Instructions

• Prepare the brownie base:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

  • In a large bowl, mix melted butter and granulated sugar. Stir in eggs and vanilla extract until combined. Add cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix until smooth.

  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. A toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool completely.

• Make the French silk topping:

  • Beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth. Add cocoa powder and mix until incorporated.

  • In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream and granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.

  • Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and fully combined.

• Assemble the brownies:

  • Once the brownies are completely cool, spread the mousse topping evenly over the brownie base.

  • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the mousse set.

• Serve and garnish:

  • Before serving, garnish with shaved chocolate or chocolate curls and whipped cream. Slice into squares and enjoy!

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Notes

For extra flavor, add coffee or mint extract to the mousse topping.To make it even richer, add a layer of chocolate ganache over the mousse before chilling.Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these brownies gluten-free