Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownies
I've heard people say they can't trust someone who doesn't like dogs. I can't trust someone who doesn't like brownies.
I'm convinced my neighbor is an alien from another planet. Or a cyborg.
Freshly baked Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownies (the most splendid creation), warm out of the oven, perfectly crispy on the outside, melted and gooey on the inside. I couldn't wait to share them. They're so amazing! I had just noticed my neighbor's car pulling in (for privacy purposes, we'll call him Mr. Black). I put the brownies (which smelled ridiculous; they're lucky they survived the walk across the front yard without being devoured by my children...and me) on a plate, grabbled the boys and walked over to his house. I was expecting to be greeted with a delighted smile. Who wouldn't want someone to show up after a long day's work with a plate of brownies? Best surprise ever. Apparently Mr. Black didn't think so. Because Mr. Black is an alien. Or a cyborg.
To Mr. Black's credit, he did smile, but then...wait for it...he rejected my brownies.
Not only did he reject them, but he actually put his hand up in the air, like a crossing guard warning children of oncoming traffic. Stop right there brownie lady. As if what I was carrying was hazardous material. He then explained to me that he DOESN'T LIKE BROWNIES. Furthermore, he doesn't like CHOCOLATE. It's too sweet, too rich, too much for his system. Because his system is alien. Or cyborg.
Too sweet? Too rich? Too much? Whaaat?!? Clearly a language from another planet. Being drenched in chocolate, beautifully marbled with cream cheese, cravingly warm and undeniably, heavenly delicious is...rejectable? Mr. Black is not human. Humans do not say "no" to the brownie lady. I can understand (kind of) someone being diabetic or not wanting to ruin their diet. But to not like brownies? He has tentacles hiding under his jacket, green slime blood running through his veins, webbed feet. I'm expecting he'll hand out toothbrushes at Halloween. Only aliens do that. Or cyborgs.
Welcome to earth, Mr. Black. I'll be watching you.
Should I be concerned Mr. Black will read this, get angry I've discovered his secret, and then attempt to abduct me to his mothership? Hmm. I think I'm safe. Aliens don't read baking blogs. Plus, I'm basically made of chocolate, so I don't think they'd want me.
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownies
* Makes one 9" pan
Brownies
2/3 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cups sweet ground cocoa (I use Ghirardelli)
1/4 tsp baking powder (if at high altitude, decrease by 1/8 tsp)
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar (if at high altitude, decrease by 1 tablespoon)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature (if at high altitude, add 1 egg)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for sprinkling
Preheat your oven to 350°F (375°F if at high altitude). Butter a 9" brownie pan.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sweet ground cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
With an electric mixer, stir the eggs, sugar, and vanilla till combined.
Add the butter. Mix till combined.
On low speed, add the dry ingredients. Mix till just combined.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour batter into 9" pan, spreading into an even layer. Set aside while you make the make the topping.
Cream Cheese Topping
8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg yolk
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, combine all ingredients. Mix for 2-3 minutes until creamy.
Add the cream cheese batter by spoonfuls over the brownie batter. Use a knife to swirl the batters together, but don't over mix. You want to see a marbled effect.
Sprinkle with extra chocolate chips.
Bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares.