Home Baked Goodness

Nothing says loving like fresh home-baked pies and cookies. Having started cooking at a very young age, I can remember going through my mother's recipe collection and couldn't wait until my parents leave home so I can start baking something really good and special in the kitchen. I often thought that she would be angry because I didn't ask for permission in fear of her saying no, but all she would say when she returned home was "you need to stay out my flour". That was the beginning of my love for cooking. These are some of my favorite sweet treats, I loved to bake.

Cream Cheese Brownies

4 oz. Baker's German sweet chocolate
5 tablespoon butter
3 ounces cream cheese
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup all purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Melt 4 ounces of Baker's German sweet chocolate and 3 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Cream 3 ounces of cream cheese with 2 tablespoons butter. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar until creamy and fluffy. Blend in 1 egg, 1 tablespoon flour, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside. Beat 2 eggs until pale yellow in color. Slowly add 3/4 cup sugar. Beat until thickened. Add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup flour. Blend in chocolate mixture, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Spread 1/2 of chocolate mixture in 8” inch greased pan. Top with cheese mixture. Spoon on remaining chocolate mixture. Zigzag a knife through mixture to marble. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes.