Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies
December 15, 2013
1 Comment
San Francisco is an amazing place to visit just before Christmas. There’s a great big Christmas Tree lit up in Union Square and Macy’s is decked out in red bows and green wreaths. It’s almost like New York, but it’s not cold!
Chris and I just spent a super fun week in San Francisco for a professional conference. It was a wonderful break from the cold. I just love to stroll around the city in 60 degree, sunny weather. And the bustle of the city is so enlivening!
Plus, the Christmas flavors are in full swing at the coffee shops! I actually ate a peppermint chocolate cake while drinking a peppermint mocha latte, and that morning I did a deliciously similar pairing with gingerbread! Love it! I am posting these delicious brownies inspired by Sally’s Baking Addiction to help pass on the Christmas minty, chocolaty joy you can get right from your own kitchen. They have a divine mint cheesecake swirl. 🙂
These are seriously, some crazy good brownies. Crazy and serious at the same time? You betcha! I made these at Chris’ parent’s house, and as soon as I gave the okay to eat them, they disappeared in about a second. I think everyone positioned themselves to grab one (or three) right away. Elbows might have been thrown. Seriously people, it was crazy.
These yummy little guys are a great combination of rich, fudgy brownie swirled with tangy, refreshing mint cheesecake – a fantastic combination of Christmas flavors you can make right from your own kitchen 🙂
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
BROWNIES
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8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate*
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1 stick butter**
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1 ¼ cups sugar
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¾ cup flour
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3 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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¼ teaspoon of salt
MINT CHEESECAKE LAYER
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8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
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1 egg yolk
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¼ cup sugar
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½ teaspoon peppermint extract
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2 to 4 drops green food coloring
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2/3 cup mint chocolate chips
TOPPING
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Additional mint chocolate chips to sprinkle on top
Instructions
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Melt chocolate and butter in a large saucepan*** over low heat. Let cool completely, about 30-45 minutes on the counter or 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator.
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Once chocolate is cooled, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a 9x9 baking dish with foil or parchment paper.
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Stir sugar into melted chocolate. Add one egg at a time, stirring until smooth between each egg. Stir in vanilla then gently fold in flour and salt.
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Using a stand mixer or a handheld mixer make mint cheesecake by creaming together cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, peppermint extract, and food coloring until combined. Stir in by hand the 2/3 cup of mint chocolate chips.
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Pour ¾ of brownie batter into prepared baking dish. Spread dopples of the cheesecake mixture over brownie batter. Add remaining brownie batter and swirl brownie batter and cheesecake layer with a table knife. Sprinkle with extra mint chocolate chips.
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Bake until toothpick comes out clean, 45-60 minutes. Allow to cool completely. Enjoy and feel free to go a little crazy! Seriously 🙂
Recipe Notes
*I used chips but semi-sweet bakers chocolate would also work well.
**I used salted butter. If using unsalted increase salt to ½ teaspoon
***if possible choose a saucepan capable of fitting all ingredients. If not, transfer chocolate-butter mixture to a large enough bowl after melting.
Dina
they look yummy!