As much as I like to cook (I don't really) my dear friend Cory likes it even more! She has graciously accepted my offer to share her recipes on Tuesdays! With out further ado... Cory!
Hello Everyone! My name is Cory! I'm married with two FANTASTIC boys ages 8 and 6. I’m pretty much a domestic goddess although I do work a part-time gig in the evenings. My hobbies include copious amounts of laundry, cooking, and vacuuming as I have a ginormous dog that loves to shed! I LOVE to cook, can’t say I am very good at cooking but, I'm willing to try most anything. Lately, I've been addicted to making SOUPS but, I make some classics like lasagna, chicken paprikash and stuffed cabbage. I also LOVE to read when I get a free moment between my addiction to DISCOVERY ID (which my younger son dubbed “The killing channel”) and pinning recipes, decor and fashion on PINTEREST. Sometimes I do BOTH which is utter bliss! I recently spoiled myself and bought a KINDLE FIRE- and OMG! I LOVE, LOVE it! If you don't have one- I suggest you get one it's life changer! Well, okay maybe not a life changer maybe more of a self-indulgence but, who doesn't need that every once in a while?
So, like I mentioned before I LOVE to cook and would LOVE to have my own cooking show but, as much as I like to cook, I swear, a lot. It just wouldn't work out unless it was on late-night cable. Come to think of it - that might be an option.
I've dreamed I could just waltz into the kitchen, in my Sunday best and whip up meal after fabulous meal. But, honestly, does that really happen? I cook in sweatpants or yoga pants and ratty t-shirts. My kitchen looks like a bomb went off. So, I don't think I'm going to have my own show anytime soon! I guess a blog is the next best thing but I’ve NEVER blogged! I do post via FB most of my recipes and get feedback from my friends - who think I'm the BOMB! Isn't that what friends are for really? I'm sure I've been blocked or deleted by some but, whatever they aren't as awesome as I am.
Anyway back to cooking... I've been trying some of this and that from PINTERST. It’s not a bad thing if you don’t use PINTEREST (or know what it is) but you must be crazy busy people with fantastic and exciting lives that simply have no time to sit and veg. That's cool. Me? Well, I'm the opposite! Today I'm taking my kiddos to a swim party and having a casual dinner at a friend’s house. Since it’s a potluck, I thought I'd try and whip up some SWIRLED BROWNIES... After all its game day and our team’s colors are ORANGE and BROWN!
I used a basic DUNCAN HINES triple chocolate brownie mix. I ran out of oil and really don't like dumping a 1/2 c. of oil into my brownies anyway, so I substitute a really ripe banana for the oil. You can also use applesauce or any fruit puree really; I've even heard of using black beans mashed up. But, I hate wasting food so banana it is. I also added a handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter as well. Can't have too much chocolate and I've heard it's good for you anti-oxidants and all that jazz. It says on the box "Do not eat raw batter” but who follows that? I tasted it and I'm still alive to tell about it. It's delish!
So, following the directions I spread 1/2 the brownie mix in the bottom of a greased 13x9 baking pan mine happens to be metal... I think you can spread a little MORE than half the mixture on the bottom. Save the rest for the swirl top...The next step is the delightful cream cheese layer- AS-IF brownies needed a cream cheese layer! This calls for a block of softened cream cheese and 5 tablespoons of softened butter, which I took out of the fridge the night before. 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 tbsps. of flour and ORANGE food coloring.
I mixed the cream cheese mixture in my handy KITCHEN-AID STANDMIXER! My go to cooking weapon of choice! It does pretty much everything fast and easy. LOVE IT! I don't even own a hand mixer anymore. Anyway, mix the cream cheese, butter and sugar till fluffy add eggs, vanilla, flour etc.
Now it's time to TINT! I wanted orange and not a pastel orange but, ARE YOU READY for some FOOTBALL ORANGE! This took some doing. I started with regular food coloring, a few drops of RED a few drops of YELLOW. But, it was not bright enough orange (even after I had used up almost an entire bottle of red and yellow food coloring). So, I went in my pantry and found some icing tint that I got from PARTY-CITY on CLEARANCE for $1 and used the gel tint to get the bright orange I wanted. Then I spread the cream cheese layer over the bottom brownie layer and then dolloped the remaining chocolate batter on top the cream cheese layer and swirl. Pretty simple but this is where I got overzealous and pretty much ruined the desired effect. I think it came out pretty good... It's ORANGE and BROWN! Go (Cleveland) Brownies!
I consider this a PINTEREST WIN! Here's the recipe if you want to give it a try!
SCREAM CHEESE BROWNIES
Ingredients:
- 1 brownie mix made according to package directions divided
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz. of cream cheese softened
- 5 tablespoons of butter, softened
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons flour
- food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix your favorite brownie mix and spread a little more than half in the bottom of a greased 13x9 inch baking pan.
- Reserve the other portion for the next layer...
- In a separate bowl- COMBINE cream cheese, butter, sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla, eggs, flour and mix thoroughly. Add coloring to liking...
- Spread cream cheese over the brownie layer and then DROP remaining brownie batter over cream cheese mixture and swirl with a knife. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees... COOL...!
