Cream Cheese Brownies

I'm not a very good baker. I think it's because when you're baking, measurements and following a recipe are a little more necessary, and I don't follow instructions well. I like to walk along an un-beaten path, that usually results in sunken cakes, burnt muffins, and end products that look a bit like a science project gone wrong. These look and taste like I put so much work into them, I almost felt guilty admitting that it was made with a generic, boxed brownie mix and only took a couple minutes to put together. These are perfect for those class parties that you forgot you volunteered to make something for until the morning of the event. I know I can't be the only one that does that right? And because there's always those other moms who make perfect little cake pops and goodie bags that look like they came right out of Martha Stewart's cupboard you sometimes feel the need to make something a little more impressive than boxed brownie mix Brownies. Now you don't have to... you can give the boxed brownies a makeover! You're welcome.

Ingredients

• 1 (20 ounce) package fudge brownie mix (13x9 size)
• 1/4 cup water (or what mix calls for)
• 1/3 cup oil (or what your mix calls for)
• 2 eggs (or what your mix calls for)
• Topping
• 1 (8 ounce) package Cream Cheese
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
2 Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions (water, oil, eggs).
3 Pour into a greased 13x9-inch baking pan.
4 Beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
5 Add sugar and mix. Add vanilla and egg; mix until well-blended.
6 Place cheese mixture in dollops over the whole pan, leaving some brownie showing in between.
7 Cut or swirl through batter several times with a knife or fork for a marbled effect. It can be tricky to get a good marble effect so be careful not to over work it.
8 Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool; cut into squares. (These will also freeze well).

TIP: you can easily make these gluten free by using a Gluten Free Brownie mix like Bob's Redmill.

Let us know how you like them!

XO

Jess