Cream Cheese Brownies

Everyone has a "go to" dessert that they bring to a BBQ or friends house.  Mine is cream cheese brownies.  No matter who the audience is, they are always a hit!  So next time you have somewhere to go or if you are in the mood for delicious brownies, give these a try.

Ingredients;

2/3 c all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
4 oz bittersweet/semisweet chocolate
8 tbsp. (1 stick) salted butter, cut into 1/2" squares
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 large eggs (room temperature)

Cream Cheese Filling;

8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg yolk

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  Line your 8x8 baking dish with aluminum foil or parchment paper (the foil/paper makes it easier to pull out of the pan and serve).

In a medium glass bowl, add the butter and chocolate.

Microwave for 30-45 seconds or until the chocolate has nearly melted.  Mix the chocolate and butter together to ensure any small chunks of chocolate are completely melted.

Add the sugar and vanilla extract into the bowl and whisk together.

Cool the chocolate and whisk in one egg at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next.  Add the flour and baking powder to the bowl of chocolate.  Mix until just incorporated.

For the filling, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla in a bowl until evenly blended.

Pour half of the brownie batter into the pan.  Drop the cream cheese mixture by spoonfuls over the batter.  Layer the remaining batter over the cream cheese spoonfuls.

Use the blade of a table knife and gently swirl the brownie batter and cream cheese filling, creating a marbled effect.

Bake until the edges of the brownies have puffed slightly, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with several moist, fudgy crumbs adhering to it, 50-60 minutes.

Remove the brownies from a pan and cool.  Serve at room temperature... thyme 2 taste!

Credit: Cook's Illustrated, The New Best Recipe p.812