Chocolate Squares with Ricotta Topping

By bakers_delight85

Ingredients

• For the bottom layer:
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• For the topping:
• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 Tbsp. flour
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Details

Servings 25

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; grease and flour a 9 x 9-inch baking pan.
Make the bottom layer: In a small bowl, stir or whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat well. Gradually add the flour mixture, blending well after each addition. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Make the topping: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, butter and sugar and beat well. Add the egg, flour and vanilla and beat again until smooth and creamy. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Drop spoonfuls of the topping on the unbaked batter in the baking pan and use a spatula to spread it carefully in an even layer.
Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, until the top looks dry and a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean; the top will be a rough pattern of dark chocolate batter and light ricotta topping. Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan, then cut into 25 squares (5 squares by 5 squares), wiping the knife blade between cuts.