Nutella Cheesecake Brownies

When the winter blues hit we crave several food items, fresh bread with nutella, chocolate, and cheesecake. All horribly bad for you but items that can make any bad day melt away, and a 10 degree day not seem so cold. Below is the recipe I pieced together to combine our winter blues favorites to design Nutella Cheesecake Brownies. If you have to ask the calorie content, you should just go back to your Facebook stalking now.

Nutella Cheesecake Brownies

Preheat your oven to 350.

Ingredients:

For the Brownies:

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 3/4 cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 1/3 cup flour

For the Cheesecake Layer:

• 8 oz. cream cheese softened (2 minutes in the microwave)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• hazelnut or vanilla extract (optional)

Cream the softened butter and sugar. Beat in the Nutella. Next, beat in one egg at a time. Stir in with spatula the cocoa powder and flour.

In a different bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, and eggs. You could add hazelnut or vanilla extract here for depth of flavor. Beat until well combined and smooth.

The order here is important.

First, Spray your brownie pan well, an 8X8 for a few thick brownies or a 9X13 for more thinner brownies.

Next, Add the brownie batter.

Then, Add the cheesecake layer in dollops or clean lines on top of your brownie batter.

Lastly, Take a butter knife or thin spatula and swirl the cheesecake into your brownie layer. When it is pretty and marbled, put it in the oven for 50-55 for an 8X8 or 30-35 minutes for a 9X13 pan.

When you are done you will have beautiful brownies that taste light and fluffy with a hint of hazelnut, just like our favorite spread!