Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies {Recipe}

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Strapped for cash and too pregnant to want to go to the stores for Valentines Day (crowds *cringe*) 

I decided the best gift for my hardworking husband was a nice desert.

He is not picky and loves sweets (especially if I experiment, then he's my taste tester hehe)

I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to make, until I saw this post from Sweet Pea's Kitchen through Pinterest.

Funny thing, sweet pea is actually my aunt's nickname for me! but that's not why I chose this desert...

it just looked amazing and I NEEDED to make them!!

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It was actually super easy and fun to do.

Here is the recipe with my own highlighted notes in case you care :)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2-oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped *I used milk chocolate chips, 2-oz*
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp red food coloring
• 2/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 8-oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 8 inch metal baking pan (I used an 8" glass dish, worked well). Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, letting the parchment extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. (This will make it easy to remove the bars from the pan after they have baked.) Butter the parchment. (Foil will also work just fine, but spray it with a cooking or baking spray.)
2. In a small, heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together. Stir until combined and very smooth. Set aside to cool for a few minutes. (I threw it in the micromave to melt and it was good. I wasn't patient enough!)
3. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and red food coloring. Add chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Add flour and salt and stir until just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain. (You can add another 1/2 tsp of coloring if you want it more vibrant.)
4. Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
5.  To prepare cheesecake mixture, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth. Distribute the cheesecake mixture in 8 dollops over batter in the pan. Swirl in with a knife or spatula. (Knife worked way better for me!)
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until brownies and cheesecake are set. A knife (or toothpick) inserted into the cheesecake mixture should come out clean and the edges will be lightly browned.
7. Let cool completely in pan on a cooling rack before lifting out the parchment paper to remove the brownies.
8.  Cut into squares and serve!!

My little ghetto desert setup hehe 

The husband loved it :)