Birthday Cake Brownies

 I love it when friends have birthdays. Because I get to hang out with them AND make baked goods to celebrate. Observe: my friend and fellow synchronized swimming coach Marsea, who turned 30 this weekend.

This was going to require a birthday-centric treat, of course. With sprinkles.

And chocolate.

Hmmmm…brownies?

Yup. Birthday Cake Brownies.

Birthday Cake Brownies (Inspired by Nick Malgieri's Supernatural Brownies)

Brownie base

4 tablespoons butter
2 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate
1 egg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup flour

Line an 8”x8” square pan with parchment paper. Melt butter and chocolate together. Cool slightly. In a large bowl or mixer, whisk egg, then whisk in salt, sugars and vanilla. Whisk in chocolate mixture. Fold in flour just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan, prepare birthday cake layer.

Birthday cake layer

6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 egg
1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar 
1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup flour

1/3 cup sprinkles

Beat butter and sugars until creamed, then add egg, vanilla and salt, beat until uniform. Fold in flour and sprinkles, being careful to not overstir. Drop dollops on top of brownie base, swirl a knife through batters to marbleize. Bake at 350 F for 30-35 minutes. Cool in pan in refrigerator, slice once cooled.

Share with somebody special on their birthday.