A sweet Valentine's treat

Brownies, red velvet cake and cheesecake – three scrumptious desserts that one would never imagine coming together do just that in this yummy treat, just in time for Valentine's Day! A red velvet brownie mixed with the joy of a cheesecake is guaranteed to make anyone fall in love with you – or at least with your baking abilities. These delectable brownies are a great present to your loved one, or just a heavenly dessert for any day. Get out your baking supplies and be prepared for deliciousness with this one – you and your valentine won't regret it!

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Kitchenware:
- 8 or 9 inch square baking pan
- Aluminum foil
- Small, heatproof bowl
- Fork
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Mixer
- Butter knife or spatula

Brownie ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (or dark chocolate chips)
- 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

Cheesecake ingredients :
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preparation and cooking:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease with either butter or cooking spray.
3. In small heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together in microwave. Stir with fork until very smooth, and then set aside to cool for a few minutes.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and food coloring.
5. Add in the chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Batter should be red. Add and additional ½ tsp of food coloring if needed.
6. Add flour and salt into the bowl and stir until everything is just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain.

7. Pour mixture into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
8. To prepare cheesecake mixture, beat cream cheese, sugar, one egg and vanilla extract with mixer (or spoon – mixer is more effective) until smooth in a medium mixing bowl.
9. Drop in dollops of cheesecake onto prepared brownie platter. Gently swirl both batters with a spatula or butter knife.
10. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until brownies and cheesecake are set. A knife inserted into pan should come out clean. Cool in pan before slicing and serving, either at room temperature or chilled.

Prep time is about 30 minutes. Cooking time is about 40 minutes. Recipe makes 16 large brownies or about 24 small brownies. Brownies can be covered and refrigerated for several days.