Chocoholic heaven aka Vanilla Cream Brownies

I'm sure you're asking yourself, why would something I declare is chocoholic heaven begin with the word "vanilla". The reason is quite simple, a layer of vanilla cream tucked in between a dense dark brownie and a layer of semisweet ganache, give this brownie an edge over pure dark chocolate madness (which I have been known to create). It adds a bit of sweetness and allows the ganache and brownie to play off of one another rather than compete. But, be forewarned, the cream does not make this brownie kids play, it is still on the dark and rich side. Even I can only eat one, although a second is awful tempting...

So try it for yourself.

Vanilla Cream Brownies

Brownie base (modified from "the Fannie Farmer Baking Book" by Marion Cunningham)
preheat oven to 350
grease and flour or spray a 8x8 pan

Melt over low heat:
4oz unsweet chocolate - do yourself a favor and use the good stuff
1/2 cup unsalted butter

Take off heat and add and stir until combined:
1 and 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Add in (after making sure the mixture is not hot)
2 eggs

mix well and add in 1/2 cup GF flour with xanthan gum (or for you wheaties out there 1/2 flour) mix well one last time

Pour into prepped pan and bake for 35-45 mins, until the brownies are slightly underbaked as all good brownies should be.

While the brownies are baking prepare the ganache:

Bring to a boil:
1/2 cup of cream

take off heat and slowly mix in:
8oz of semisweet/dark chocolate (or a combo thereof )

once well mixed add in:
1 tablespoon of butter
mix well to combine

Pour into a bowl and lay a piece of plastic wrap directly on the ganache and allow to cool completely

Last make the vanilla cream:

To 1cup powdered sugar add:
1/4 cup very soft (or melted butter)
1tablespoon vanilla extract
mix well

add milk as needed to get to a thick, but spreadable consistency

Once the brownies are cool put it all together:
Top the brownies with the vanilla cream and 1 cup of the ganache
Put in the fridge to set the top for 15 to 20 mins and then cut into squares