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Easy Make-Ahead Family Dessert

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A simple, adaptable make-ahead dessert perfect for stress-free holiday prep, featuring a moist batter with cottage cheese and mix-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, and berries.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks (semi-sweet or dark)
  • 1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts or pecans or berries
  • Brown sugar crumble topping: 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons cold butter
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting or glaze)
  • Milk or cream (for thinning glaze)
  • Fresh citrus zest (lemon or orange, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease baking pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
  5. Stir in cottage cheese (optionally blended for smoothness).
  6. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined; do not overmix.
  7. Fold in chocolate chips and toasted nuts or berries.
  8. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
  9. Sprinkle brown sugar crumble topping evenly over batter.
  10. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking at 30 minutes with a toothpick; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  11. Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
  12. Cover tightly and refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.
  13. Before serving, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and citrus zest.
  14. Cut into squares and enjoy.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and butter for best mixing results. Toast nuts before adding for enhanced flavor. Do not overmix batter to keep dessert tender. Check doneness with toothpick test to avoid dryness. Batter can be prepared a day ahead and baked fresh. Store tightly wrapped; dessert tastes better after a day. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use coconut yogurt and plant-based butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: make-ahead dessert, holiday dessert, easy dessert, family dessert, brownies, stress-free baking, holiday prep

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/easy-make-ahead-family-dessert-recipes-for-stress-free-holiday-prep/