Cream Cheese Filled Brownies

• servings: 18 servings
• active time: 15 minutes
• total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

1 box (18.3 oz.) brownie mix ( (Buy the kind that makes a 9 x 13 inch pan)

2 large eggs (Follow package directions for the eggs, oil, and water. The measurements are for the brownie mix I purchased.)

½ cup oil

3 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon espresso powder, optional

1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 package (8 oz.) reduced fat cream cheese (see note)

1 large egg

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

½ cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare 9 x 13 inch baking pan by spraying with nonstick spray.

Prepare Brownies

Prepare brownie mix as directed on the box, stirring in the espresso powder (if using) with the mix before adding eggs, oil, and water. Follow the package directions for your brownie mix. Fold in 1 cup mini chocolate chips.

Mix Cream Cheese

In another bowl, with electric mixer, beat cream cheese, egg, butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla together until smooth. Fold in ½ cup mini chocolate chips.

Assemble

To assemble: Pour half of brownie batter into pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the first layer of brownie batter. Spread it out the best that you can so that the cream cheese mixture pretty evenly covers the brownie batter. Spoon on the remaining half of the brownie batter to cover the cream cheese mixture.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Check with toothpick inserted about two inches from the side. There shouldn’t be batter clinging to the toothpick.Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 brownie
• Calories: 330 kcal
• Total Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 32 mg
• Sodium: 96 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 36 g
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g
• Total Sugars: 24 g
• Protein: 4 g