Week One: Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

The Evaluation

4.5/5 stars: Taste. Really yummy fresh from the oven! I'm sure tomorrow they will be just as nice :)

5/5 stars: Ease of recipe. Nothing tricky here!

4/5 stars: Presentation. I let mine brown on top just a little too much, but still rather pretty!

4/5 stars: Time. The prep time isn't bad at all, maybe 20-25 mins, and while it's 30 mins in the oven (mine were 35 so I'd suggest either foil for the last five or seeing how they are at 30) that isn't bad at all. 

4.5/5 stars: Overall success. What they might lack in presentation, they make up for in taste and they are amazing with strawberries and cream or on their own!

Original Recipe

http://sweetpeaskitchen.com/2011/02/red-velvet-cheesecake-brownies/

Mostly I stuck to the recipe for once. I converted the measurements and decided to serve with strawberries and an option of cream. 

Recipe

Ing.

110g butter

80g dark chocolate

200g sugar

2 large eggs (mine were medium/ average sized as I usually go easy on the eggs)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp red food colouring

85g flour

Cheesecake Mix

230g cream cheese

65g sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 medium egg

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350F or 180C. 

2. Butter the sides of an 8 inch baking tray or the next closest size. You want something with a medium depth. I didn't bother with baking paper but if yours isn't non-stick be sure to use some and butter that as well.

3. Melt the butter and chocolate for the brownie mix in a heatproof bowl or a small saucepan. Stir as it melts and then set to one side to cool. 

4. Whisk the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and red food colouring together in a bowl. You want to get it really smooth so keep going a little while after the ingredients are fully blended. Then stir in the chocolate mix. 

5. Add the flour to the mixture and fold in carefully until it's smooth and you can't see any of the flour. 

6. Pour into the tin, then you're ready to start the cheesecake mix!

7. Whisk the sugar and egg together, then add the cream cheese and vanilla extract and whisk again. If you're using an electric mixer, you can put it all in at once. 

8. Distribute the mix evenly over the top of the brownie mixture. Then get a knife or a spoon and swirl it a little, digging into the brownie mixture so you get a nice pattern of red swirls. 

9. Bake for 30-35 minutes. You can check if it's done by putting a fork in and that should come out clean. If it's looking done but the centre's still not solid, cover with foil and bake for another 5 mins.

10. Let them cool a little, then cut up and serve with your choice of toppings!

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This was a really good transition back into baking and blogging! It's easy, there's hardly any washing up to do (and who doesn't love that?) and you get a tasty, ready to eat dessert at the end! I have to admit Luke and I couldn't wait for Claire to come home so we've already scoffed three between us, but I'm sure I can appease my sister with a tasty cheesecake brownie! 

I have enough ingredients to go another round and am debating making a few for work. Or I might put them to use for other goodies. Next up: Pineapple Upside Down Cake!