Food Network Scholar: Cream Cheese Brownies

Television Feasts

I am a home cook who backyard gardens and has a serious closet addiction to the Food Network. I envision visiting the world in my own kitchen.

From Julia to Giada, I am a bi-product of the quirky world of anything food television. At age 10 I wanted to lunch with Julia; at 12 I thought sitting at Graham Kerr's table would be bliss; in college I was a diligent voyeur student of Jeff Smith's; and as a newlywed I envisioned myself being Martha. Then the sky opened up and violin music played in the background when I discovered an entire family of food shows on the blossoming food network. Twenty years later I am still a home chef with a backyard garden, yet in my head I am a trained chef who has eaten her way around the world, tasted all things exotic, competed in many challenges, judged the best of the best, and have a circle of friends which includes Emeril, Bobby, Rachael and more. I like to learn and challenge myself simply for the pleasure of all things food. I am a student of the University of Food Network and my textbooks, exams and extra-curricular activities all stem from channel 39.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Cream Cheese Brownies

It turned into a chilly, rainy afternoon. I spent the day cleaning and felt I deserved a treat. Plus I wanted a break and being in the kitchen is my favorite place! These are the richest, densest, most luxurious brownies. Actually they are a cross between a brownie and chocolate cheesecake. I am pretty disciplined when it comes to eating sweets so my theory is: If you are hungry for a treat, go full tilt, just eat a small portion and enjoy! There is only one downfall to this recipe..and no not the whole calorie thing (like I said if I want a treat I eat a little), it is the number of dishes this creates :( I am not one to enjoy washing dishes!

Cream Cheese Brownies
printable recipe

4 ounces of semisweet chips
5 T. of unsalted butter-do NOT roll your eyes, a treat is just that, a treat!
4 oz. cream cheese-you are thinking no way, to indulgent, but you know you want to try them!
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 c. plus 1 T. flour
1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking powder
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
Combine the chocolate and 3 T. butter in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high 30 seconds. Stir. Microwave for 20 seconds. Stir until smooth and chocolate is melted. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, mash the remaining butter and the cream cheese together.
Blend in 1/4 c. of the sugar.

Beat in 1 of the eggs. Stir in 1 T. flour and a 1/2 tsp vanilla. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer and beat the remaining 2 eggs until thick. Gradually add the remaining sugar and beat until quite thick. When you pull the beaters out you should have ribbons of egg falling from the beaters.