BROWNIE LAYER:

• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder (dissolved in ½ tablespoon boiling water)
• ¾ cup granulated white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ¾ cup sifted powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

GLAZE:

• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2¼ teaspoons espresso powder (dissolved in ½ tablespoon boiling water)

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour an 8-inch square baking pan, knocking out the excess flour. (Or line the pan with parchment, letting the parchment come up the sides and hang over- then spray the parchment.- this is recommended as it's easier to get the brownies out of the pan cleanly.)

BROWNIE LAYER:

• In a large saucepan, melt the chocolate and butter with the espresso mixture over low heat, stirring, until smooth and then remove the pan from heat. Cool the mixture to lukewarm and whisk in the sugar and vanilla. Add the eggs, whisking well until the mixture is glossy and smooth. Stir in the flour and salt until just combined and stir in walnuts (if using).
• Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake in the middle of the oven 22 to 25 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it. Cool the brownie layer completely in pan on a rack.

MAKE THE CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

• In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon (if using) and beat until combined well. Spread the cream cheese layer evenly over the brownie layer. Chill the brownies for 1 hour, or until the cream cheese layer is firm.

MAKE THE GLAZE:

• In a large pyrex measuring cup or glass bowl, place the chocolate, cream, butter and espresso mixture. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring, until melted and smooth. If the glaze is steaming hot, let it cool a little bit. Pour the glaze carefully over the cream cheese layer.
• Chill brownies, covered, until cold (at least 3 hours).

SLICE AND SERVE:

• If you used parchment, simply lift the brownies out of the pan by holding the sides of the parchment. Place on a cutting board and gently peel off the parchment. With a long, thin knife, cut the chilled brownies into 24 squares. Serve the brownies cold or at room temperature. These brownies will keep, covered and chilled, in one layer, for 5 days.