Cookbook Sundays-Cream Cheese Brownies

For someone who rarely bakes, I must say this decadent brownie turned out super great. When I decide to bake, it has to be either very simple, like chocolate chip cookies, or banana bread, but I couldn't resist making these brownies, because I love chocolate, and so does just about every one else in the family, except my daughter, who can live without it. She's an apple-anything, with apples lover. I found this wonderful book  called, How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman...where else?...but at Goodwill, for $.79. This bright gold color, caught my attention, and I immediately delved into it, grabbing it off the book shelf. This is a paperback, it was and I say, seriously, brand new. I know for a fact that the hard cover book costs $29.99, so the paperback must cost about $10.00 less. What a bargain! I am so happy that I joined Brenda at Brenda's Canadian Kitchen for the Cookbooks Sundays, except, 75% of my cookbooks are collected from my thrift finds, that I should be feeling "guilty" about for finding such treasures, but maybe not so guilty...after all those people that got rid of them had their own reasons. Just like to know what reasons?

So sorry for the inconvenience...I will post the recipe ASAP, just a lot of things going on here!



Cream Cheese Brownies

Adapted from How to Cook Everything
by; Mark Bittman

6 ounces semisweet chocolate roughly chopped
8 Tablespoons (1/4lb. unsalted butter)
softened, plus some for greasing the aluminum foil lined pan (overlap the foil, for easy removal.)
8 ounces cream cheese softened
3/4 cup sugar

1-8oz. Heath English Toffee Bits
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups plus 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil, let it overhang a few inches for easy lifting. Grease the aluminum foil.Combine the chocolate and 5 Tbsp.of the butter in a medium saucepan over very low heat, stirring occasionally. When the chocolate is just about melted, remove from the heat and continue to stir until the mixture is smooth.

Use a fork or electric mixture to cream the remaining butter with the cream cheese, and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Beat in 1 of the eggs, and stir in the 1 Tbsp. of the flour, and the 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

In a separate bowl, beat the 3 eggs with the 3/4 cup sugar, until thick, and creamy. In a large separate bowl, mix together the baking powder, salt, and the flour. Gently stir into the egg mixture, and fold in the melted chocolate mixture and the Heath Toffee Bits, or (1/2 cups chopped nuts) Spread the chocolate mixture in the prepared pan, and spread the cream cheese mixture on the top. Swirl through all, with a rubber spatula, to create a marble effect.
Bake for 25 -35 minutes, until barely set, to create a fudge effect. Cool on rack before cutting.
Store covered in the refrigerator. Serves 16. (I was able to get 20 servings)

Note: I used a little more flour, less sugar, increased the butter, and eggs...otherwise, I followed the recipe, and instructions for baking.
As you can see, I use this book so much...it has "doggie ears"...if you're looking for pictures of foods, this is not the book to find it, but if you want to look up any great and uncomplicated recipes, this is the book to find anything from A-Z.

Now, on to some great news: I'm one of the WINNERS! ...
Veronica, of The Enchanted Cook had a wonderful givaway, of the O olive oil and vinegar selection!
Thank you, Veronica, and thanks to O.





































































































































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40 comments:

  1. Well, I am glad the recipe is to follow, cause I was disappointed when I got to the bottom of the page. They look amazing :)

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  2. The swirls turned out very nicely. I am sure they are a hit!

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  3. just when I thought brownies couldn't get any better..love the recipe!

    US Masala

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  4. I've been eying that cookbook! What a great deal! I love creme cheese brownies ... I haven't had them in forever though! They always remind me of elementary school for some reason!

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  5. That's one of my favorite go-to cooking resources...glad you added it to your collection! This recipe looks SO GOOD!!

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  6. This is a great find. I've heard a lot of people like that book. Maybe the person who got rid of it just doesn't cook.
    -Gina-

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  7. Oh wow..looks fantastic! Love the swirls!

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  8. Hi Elizabeth, thanks so much for visiting me. I love your blog - cooking and thrifting (which we call op-shopping in my part of the globe) are two of my favourite things. I don't think you should feel guilty in the slightest about finding that book at a thrift shop - the universe obviously meant you to find it so you could share your good luck with us (and hopefully a few recipes too!)

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  9. Cream cheese brownies looks delicious. I like Mark bittman's recipe, easy to follow to. Cookbook is always treasure, it doesn't matter how you got it.

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  10. I bought this book over the summer! I have yet to cook out of it - I should crack it open for Brenda's event. The brownies look insanely good!

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  11. Omg, brownies looks super delectable and gorgeous..

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  12. Yummy! I love my thrifted cookbooks, they keep me happy for very little money! Thanks for sharing, I forgot how good cream cheese brownies can be!

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  13. They look awesomely delicious!! Congrats to the winner. Have a great day Elizabeth :)

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  14. The marbled effect with the cream cheese makes these brownies stand out and I can bet on the decadence,I have to make these for Manasi,soon. Congrtas on winning the giveaway:) Elizabeth,I have posted the answers to the questionnaire,it was fun doing it:) Thanks for tagging me!!!

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  15. The cream cheese brownies look delicious and flavorful. Good to be here, hope to come for more of such lovely treats from you.
    http://litebite.in

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  16. Great looking brownies and what a cookbook thrift find! I'm going to have to scour the shops for new goodies for my kitchen. Thinking of changing to a cherry scene. Will think of your finds as motivation.

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  17. Elisabeth, you are so lucky to get that book at that fantastic price! I don't have this book yet but it's on my wish list. I love cream cheese brownies but what makes yours extra-special to me is the addition of Heath Toffee Bits. Yum! Thank you so much for sharing with Cookbook Sundays!

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  18. What a gorgeous looking brownies! I really like the marbled effect. Have a great day. Michael

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  19. Some kids in my grade school classes would always bring them in! And I LOVED them!! I remember wondering what made the swirls and didn't know until I got older and found out it was cream cheese! They always make me flash back to school parties and I've never made them myself! Yours looked great!

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  20. For not being much of a baker these brownies look great! I love finding books at thrift stores :) Our local library has a book fair every couple of months too where you can fill a bag with as many books as you can for 5 dollars! Its amazing!

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  21. OMG Elisabeth. These are so pretty! And they look tasty too. MMMM! You do a great job at cutting them....you must be patient. :) Not like me.

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  22. I've hear so much about that book, I think I might have to put it on my Christmas list!!
    Your brownies are just lovely... I love the swirls!
    Nicely done, Elisabeth!

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  23. I adore cream cheese, and I love brownies. How could these baked treats not be just delicious! They look beautiful too! Bring on the gingerbread! And Ryan was just asking for scones...perfect! Thank you for sharing this with me. I hope you have a joyful week, my friend!

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  24. Please forgive my last post! I accidently pasted an earlier comment i left on another gal's blog. I do know that these are brownies and not gingerbread :-) You can tell it is WAY past my bedtime!

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  25. wow...amazing blog..I appreciate for your wonderful presentation..Absolutely new n innovative recipes..
    Am your new follower now..:)
    You re most welcome in my blog..
    Tasty appetite

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  26. My daughter just went "bananas" over your brownies; looks like I will be busy baking today!!! Thank you for sharing ^_^

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  27. Hi Elisabeth, that looks really tempting. I have passed an award on to you, it is the same one you gave to me, so don't worry about doing anything with it except enjoying. You will find it on the award page. Just wanted to let you know that your blog is wonderful and you are sincerely appreciated.

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  28. How to cook everything is such a great reference cookbook. I can't believe you got it for pennies! That's fantastic. The brownies look pretty fantastic too.

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  29. OMG...Elisabeth...I want to come over and grab one of those. I have that cookbook and I love it...I think I will make those brownies tomorrow...they look amazing...

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  30. WOWWWW Elisabeth those brownies look AMAZING!!! And you have more than enough to share.. pls share I really want a piece, lol.

    Btw lovely, if I don't get to visit your blog until the new year (because I'm going away for the holidays and therefore will be offline), have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and happy holidays and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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  31. Hi (again) Elisabeth, I see that my original comment did come through, there was a problem that morning when I first visited you. I am now following, looks like some great stuff here!

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  32. I love marbled cheesecake-brownie and your look so good. Thanks for sharing.
    Have a wonderful week

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  33. gosh...now i am inspired to bake again...thanx for a yummy recipe!

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  34. These cream cheese brownies look absolutely awesome. I have been making a lot of differnet versions and now this one is on the list to make too. Looking forward to trying these recipe and sharing with friends.

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  35. Oh my God, what a wonderful brownie-cheesecake.
    Kisses from Spain-Europe

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  36. I know I am behind because my computer hates me and gave me trouble for over a week...But I would have flown in for a few of theses!

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  37. Brownies with cream cheese AND Heath Bar bits??? This is my idea of a heavenly dessert!!! I HAVE to bake these....thank you, Lizzie!!!!

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  38. I've baked these for a New Year's Eve party...my marbling needs some work...LOL. If I get some decent photos, I will blog about these and link back to you! Hope that's OK...thanks again for sharing!

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Your visits and comments are greatly appreciated. It really makes me happy to have you stop by. Will do my best to comment back. Thank you and take care! Hugs,

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