Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1.5 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (75g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 cup (60ml) hot fudge sauce, slightly warmed
- 16 oz (450g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 0.25 cup (30g) premium hot cocoa mix
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 0.25 cup (60g) sour cream
- 1.5 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 tbsp hot fudge, for drizzling
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a 9x9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the sides are covered.
- In a large bowl, whisk the 170g of melted butter and 300g of sugar together until the mixture looks shiny and smooth.
- Add the 3 large eggs one at a time, whisking vigorously after each. Stir in the vanilla and the warmed 60ml of hot fudge sauce.
- Sift in the 75g of cocoa powder, 125g of flour, and salt. Fold gently with a spatula until no streaks of white flour remain.
- Pour all but half a cup of this batter into the pan.
- In a separate bowl, beat the 450g of softened cream cheese and 100g of sugar until the texture is velvety and lump free.
- Add the 30g of hot cocoa mix and 60g of sour cream, mixing on low speed.
- Add the 2 large eggs to the cheesecake mixture one at a time. Mix just until combined to avoid incorporating too much air, which causes cracking later.
- Spread the cheesecake mixture over the brownie base. Take the reserved half cup of brownie batter and drop small dollops on top of the cheesecake. Use a butter knife to swirl the two together until a beautiful marbled pattern emerges.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center should still have a slight jiggle when you gently shake the pan. This is crucial for that fudge like texture.
- Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the 1.5 cups of mini marshmallows over the top. Return to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until the marshmallows are puffy and slightly melted.
- If you have a kitchen torch, use it now to brown the marshmallows. If not, you can pop it under the broiler for 30 seconds — but watch it like a hawk! Drizzle the final 2 tbsp of hot fudge over the top in a zig zag pattern.
- Allow the cake to cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours. This wait is agonizing, I know, but it’s what allows the cheesecake to set into a silky dream.
- Lift the cake out using the parchment sling. Use a hot, sharp knife to slice into 14 portions, wiping the knife clean between every single cut. This ensures those beautiful, clean layers stay visible.