Recipe: Ricotta-Filled Squares (brownies)

Ricotta-Filled Squares
Source: The 55 Best Brownies in the World

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup cocoa powder
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Ricotta Filling
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons butter or margarine -- softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350F.

Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa powder. Set aside to cool slightly.

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to egg mixture, beating well. Thoroughly blend in cocoa mixture. Pour half of batter into a greased 8-inch square pan. Smooth to edges (layer will be quite thin).

Pour Ricotta Filling* over chocolate layer. Spread to edges of pan. Drop remaining batter by spoonfuls over filling. Use back of spoon to spread top layer gently and evenly over filling.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick tests clean. Remove from oven. Let cool. Cut into 2" squares.

*Ricotta Filling:
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat until creamy.