my famous cream cheese brownies

oh boy... i just realized that i have never posted a brownie recipe. this would be no big deal, if i wasnt this woman who is bragging around like crazy to be a browniebabe - one that can tell a good brownie from a bad one. and then i dont even post about a single one.
when really for me - there is just one brownie that i would always pick above the others. one that i would eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and even after dinner). it became my signature dish (i know other people are real rockstars in the kitchen and cook a tricky meat dish...) that people ask for when they are over for dinner or have a birthday coming up. it's my famous cream cheese brownies. a simple, humble littel brownie that melts on your tongue and is full of delicious chocolate and vanilla.


i had my first cream cheese brownie about 10 years ago when i was in new york, wandering the streets of soho and being really really hungry. it was only 9 o clock in the morning (the hotel was so yucky, i had to leave as soon as i woke up...) and i walked past cafe bari on the corner of west broadway and spring street. they had these generously portioned cream cheese brownies that i just couldnt resist. back home i had really bad cravings for them and i knew, i better come up for a recipe - 'cos cafe bari wont ship to switzerland. i hope you enjoy - it's a cute, sweet little dish thats easy to bake. and if you are into brownies, dont forget to bake for the browniebabe of the month competition until the 17th of august. you could be our next browniebabe of the month!


RECIPE

125g real good chocolate
125g butter
2 eggs
200g sugar
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
75g flour
1 pinch of salt

200g cream cheese (use full fat!)
1 egg yolk
70g sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla

heat the oven to 220 c°. line a 18 x 27cm.
melt the chocolate together with the butter in a saucepan & mix until smooth. let cool a little.
mix the eggs and the sugar until pale and a little fluffy. add the vanilla and - while whisking constantly - mix into the melted chocolate. sieve the flour and the pinch of salt into the mixture and mix until all the flour is folded in. pour into the prepared tin and smear it all over the tin - making sure the corners are well covered.
mix the cream cheese with the egg yolk, sugar and vanilla until smooth. divide them onto the batter, using a tablespoon. then "swirl" a fork or knive between the chocolate and the creamcheese mixture so you get a nice marble effect.
bake in the middle of the oven for about 25 minutes. the top will be lightly crips, the inside will still be nice and moist and just lovely. let cool, then cut into generous slices.

they contain enough butter to keep for a week in a closed caketin.