Deep Chocolate Brownies with Chevre Swirl

Recipes, Sweet Treats

A bottle of champagne in a tub of ice.

I might not be a dietitian but I do believe in eating healthily. Contrary to the photograph above, which is essentially dripping with chocolate, I think that a healthy diet includes a lot of vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and healthy fat like avocado.

Now, I certainly don’t always practice what I preach, as evidenced by the deep chocolate brownies you’re staring at, but I do think that part of being healthy means indulging from time to time.

I also think it means cooking at home whenever possible. I think that a salad you make for yourself will taste fresher than something you open from a bag and I think that a brownie you bake yourself will be more satisfying than one that comes vacuum sealed from the grocery store…in moderation, of course.

This week, In Good Taste was featured as one of July’s Blogs of the Month on Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution is a  national movement to change the way that America eats by helping them cook more at home and eat less processed foods.

Oliver’s Food Revolution is about something very important to me: inspiring people to get back to basics and start cooking good food from scratch.

The Food Revolution is about eating healthy, homemade food with less salt and fat – leaving room for the occasional treat.

Because good food sometimes includes good desserts, I made these brownies after Kelly baked them for the Chicago Food Blogger Bake Sale last spring.

They’re a great treat to bring to parties, picnics or barbecues and they’re just sweet enough that it will only take one to satisfy.

Crispy on the outside, rich and fudge-y on the inside, they freeze well and embody everything you could ever want in a brownie.

And I swear. It’s possible to stop after just one.

Deep Chocolate Brownies with Chevre Swirl
Author: 
Recipe type: Sweet Treats
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 16 brownies
 
Ingredients

  • For the Chevre Swirl
  • 4 ounces chevre, room temperature (I like Vermont Butter & Cheese)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour

  • For the Brownies
  • 6 ounces good quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar (I like raw sugar for its richer flavor)
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon chocolate extract (optional)
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Make swirl: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 8-inch square nonstick baking pan. Using electric mixer, beat chevre and butter in medium bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually add honey and beat until well blended. Beat in egg. Mix in flour. Set mixture aside.
  2. Make brownies: Stir baking chocolate and butter in heavy small saucepan over low heat until smooth. Cool slightly. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and eggs in large bowl until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt. Mix in chocolate mixture and extracts. Stir in chocolate chips.
  3. Spread half of chocolate batter in prepared pan. Using rubber spatula, spread chevre mixture over chocolate batter. Using tip of knife, gently swirl through batter, forming marble design. Bake brownies until tester inserted into center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes. Cool brownies in pan on rack. Cut into squares. Makes 16 brownies.
 

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50 Comments

  • Reply
    Hannah
    July 19, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Oh man, you’ve got me craving chocolate all over again! Those sure look like some killer brownies alright.

  • Reply
    tinytearoom
    July 19, 2011 at 4:59 am

    wonderful change from the ordinary brownie. I’d love to give it a try and see how the chevre tastes with the chocolate. thank you for the recipe. congrats on the feature too. that must’ve been very exciting.

  • Reply
    betty
    July 19, 2011 at 12:31 am

    oh wow this looks delicious!

  • Reply
    Tessa
    July 18, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    Congratulations!! I love Jamie Oliver. How exciting 🙂

  • Reply
    Alana D
    July 18, 2011 at 11:20 am

    Ahhh a chocolate brownie never killed anybody 🙂

  • Reply
    Courtney
    July 18, 2011 at 10:22 am

    Congratulations, Maris!! That is so awesome – you deserve it! And these brownies – oh, my, they look so good!

  • Reply
    Samantha @ Bikini Birthday
    July 18, 2011 at 7:35 am

    Congratulations on being a featured blog! It’s not a surprise because your recipes, picture, and content are all top notch.

    I love a rich fudgy brownie. I like that these are made even richer by the addition of the chevre. Genius!

  • Reply
    Kitchen Belleicious
    July 18, 2011 at 7:05 am

    congrats girl! That is so awesome I can’t even begin to explain how awesome and exciting that is. You must be on cloud nine- i know i would be! You deserve it- you continue to amaze me with your fabulous recipes and tips for example these brownies. TO DIE FOR!

  • Reply
    Susan
    July 17, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Congratulations on the feature, Maris! I also think a treat now and then is a necessity. Sometimes, for me, it’s simply a piece of dark baking chocolate. What a great switch with the goat cheese instead of the usual cream cheese.

  • Reply
    Claire @ Un Bello Aperitivo
    July 17, 2011 at 11:11 am

    Congratulations at being a featured blog! That’s really wonderful. I bet goat cheese in some sort of raspberry bar would be amazing as well.

  • Reply
    Courtney
    July 17, 2011 at 11:01 am

    Huge congrats on the feature! These look delicious!!

  • Reply
    The Harried Cook
    July 17, 2011 at 4:25 am

    Congrats on being featured! That’s awesome… These brownies sound (and look) incredible! What a fantastic combination 🙂 Great post, Maris!

  • Reply
    Barbara
    July 16, 2011 at 10:19 am

    Now that’s an amazing combination. Chevre and chocolate. (Sound like a book title!)
    And so moist. Can’t wait to make them, Maris.
    Congratulations on your blog being featured!

  • Reply
    lisa @ smart food and fit
    July 16, 2011 at 8:55 am

    I’ll have to see if I have time to bake these for my husbands grandma’s 94th b-day party on Sunday! They look so delicious!

    Congrats on being featured!

  • Reply
    bellini
    July 16, 2011 at 8:43 am

    Wow congratulations Maris, these brownies are definitely worth all the accolades.

  • Reply
    Heather @girlichef
    July 16, 2011 at 8:35 am

    That’s so awesome…congrats! And yeah, these brownies are fantastic- love the chevre layer!!

  • Reply
    melissa@IWasBornToCook
    July 16, 2011 at 7:55 am

    Congratulations, Maris! Well deserved! The brownies look amazing.

  • Reply
    Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
    July 16, 2011 at 1:47 am

    That’s fantastic being featured there-congratulations Maris! I try to eat healthily too. It doesn’t always work but I try 🙂

  • Reply
    Maria @ Scandifoodie
    July 16, 2011 at 12:03 am

    Delicious brownies and congratulations on being featured, Jamie is certainly worth supporting as he’s doing such a good job!

  • Reply
    Maureen
    July 15, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    Congratulations! You deserve every honor!

    About these brownies. The cheese must give them just a bit of tang to cut the sweetness of the brownies. Clever and delicious!

  • Reply
    Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
    July 15, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    Chocolate and goat cheese! I love these.

    Great Job on the JO Food revolution feature. You deserve it.

  • Reply
    yummychunklet
    July 15, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    What a creative swirl to use goat cheese. Congrats on the featured blog!

  • Reply
    Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
    July 15, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    These little nuggets of indulgence look fabulous. A little sweet treat in moderation is a good thing! 🙂

  • Reply
    polwig
    July 15, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    These look amazing… the combo of goat cheese and chocolate is so intriguing to me… I must try it soon… and congratulations on becoming friendly with Jamie Oliver 🙂

  • Reply
    chopinandmysaucepan
    July 15, 2011 at 9:32 pm

    I guess everything in moderation is good, but temptations appear everyday and it’s sometimes difficult to resist a little of so many delicious foods!

  • Reply
    Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
    July 15, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    Congratulations, Maris!!
    You forgot to mention that these are fat free, right? 😉

  • Reply
    Reeni
    July 15, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    Congratulations on being featured! That’s exciting. And I loved these on Kelly’s blog – here is no different!

  • Reply
    lynn @ the actor's diet
    July 15, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    epic!!!

  • Reply
    Kay
    July 15, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    These look great! They sort of remind me of the ones from the Vermont Brownie company!

  • Reply
    Heidi @ Food Doodles
    July 15, 2011 at 7:20 pm

    Oh my. I’ve made chocolate cupcakes before with a cream cheese layer, but goat cheese sounds absolutely amazing!
    Congrats on the feature! I love Jamie Oliver and the food revolution. And I absolutely agree, eating healthy includes a few treats too 🙂

  • Reply
    sarah
    July 15, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    Congratulations! I just adore Mr. Oliver and all that he is doing. I’m so glad you are a part of this.

    Of course one must have these brownies in their healthy eating at home repertoire! How indulgent and what an awesome layer – chevre. I think my kids would love these.

  • Reply
    The Waspy Redhead
    July 15, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    Maris I love this! I’ve been too swamped to read blogs at all this week, and I’ve certainly missed “In Good Taste”. I will definitely be trying these. Chocolate & goat cheese, yes please!

  • Reply
    Serena
    July 15, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    Wow, chocolate and cheese? Definitely an interesting- and super flavorful- combo! Congrats on your recognition 😀

  • Reply
    Junia @ Mis Pensamientos
    July 15, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    congratulations on being featured!! wowow! jamie oliver = love his show 😀

    and these brownies look sooo decadent……..mmmmmmm.

  • Reply
    Lisa at Dishes of Mrs. Fish
    July 15, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    Congratulations on the recognition! These brownies certainly look like a fantastic way to celebrate!

  • Reply
    Erica
    July 15, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    CONGRATS on the feature! So deserved- that is just freaking awesome! And the brownie? I’m not one whose usually all for brownies, but I can get behind this one. The swirl does it for me 😉 Hope you have a wonderful weekend

  • Reply
    Greg
    July 15, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    Such a cool recipe. I like healthy eating contrary to what my blog may also sometimes indicate. But everything in moderation. You have to have some fun too. Of course fresh fruits and vegetables tastes so good. Maybe not brownie good….

  • Reply
    Shari @ Chicago Cuisine Critique
    July 15, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    Yum! These look amazing!

  • Reply
    Daryl (mom)
    July 15, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    As I think you know, I am so very very proud of you for many reasons, but a huge Congratulations for the Jamie Oliver feature!

  • Reply
    A Plum By Any Other Name
    July 15, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    I’m a dietitian and it definitely is all about balance, but it’s also about cheese. And chocolate. (I think Jamie would agree.) Sounds like a great recipe!

  • Reply
    EA-The Spicy RD
    July 15, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    Congrats on being featured on Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution! I am in complete agreement with your eating philosophy, and I must say these brownies look absolutely fabulous!

  • Reply
    Kathleen
    July 15, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    Congratulations! These brownies look amazing!

  • Reply
    Simply Life
    July 15, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    Oh my gosh! these look way too good! And I love watching the revolution – gets me so inspired (and sad)!

  • Reply
    Kelly
    July 15, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    thanks for featuring my brownies. 🙂 It’s definitely been FAR too long since I baked these. They are insanely good and I’ve been thinking lately they would also be good with a swirl of cherry or strawberry in addition to the cheese. Just thinking about these is making me think I should make them again.

  • Reply
    Wendy
    July 15, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    Congrats Maris!

  • Reply
    natalie (the sweets life)
    July 15, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    Congrats on the recognition–well deserved!

    Chevre and CHOCOLATE?! ah-mazing!

  • Reply
    Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
    July 15, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Congrats on being featured, Maris. That’s awesome!!!!!!!

    And omg they look soooo good. Fudgy, dense, rich and the chevre swirl…omg to die for! One of your best looking things I’ve seen you make!!!

  • Reply
    brandi
    July 15, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    I remember drooling over these when Kelly made them 🙂 They sound so good!

    Congrats on being featured!

  • Reply
    Three-Cookies
    July 15, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    I agree, indulgence once is a while is not bad, its probably actually good since it keeps the cravings at bay! Plus dark chocolate is good! Congrats on the feature

  • Reply
    amy @ fearless homemaker
    July 15, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    love these! i like brownies as much as the next person, but sometimes i get bored with the ol’ regular fudge brownies. i’m not a huge sweets person, so they really have to win me over with exciting ingredients + flavors. these have definitely piqued my interest. adding them to the ever-growing to-make list!

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