Brownies

from mom

2 cups sugar
2 cubes butter
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 Tbsp vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa (I like the dutch cocoa from WinCo in bulk best!)
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cups nuts (optional)
6 oz mini chocolate chips
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt (optional)

This is a one bowl recipe and can be mixed just a spoon. A mixer will overmix the batter.

In large mixing bowl, melt butter. Add cocoa.

Add in sugar, beaten eggs, and vanilla. Mix well with spoon.Add in flour and baking powder.Stir until mixed well. Pour into greased/floured 9x13 inch pan.Sprinkle mini chocolate chips, if desired, over top. Bake for 25 minutes at 350.

For marbled cheesecake brownies:
Combine: 8 oz pkg cream cheese, 1 beaten egg, and 1/2 cup sugar.With mixer, blend ingredients.Drop by Tbsp into brownie batter (already in pan). It doesn't have to be pretty, just somewhat even. I like to use two big spoons. One to scoop up the cream cheese mixture and one to make a little well in the brownie batter. Just use the back of the spoon to make a well then use the other spoon to put the cream cheese goodness into the opening.

Scrape the back of the brownie batter spoon and go to the next "well." I like this method best so that the cream cheese mixture is throughout the whole brownie, not just on the very top. :)

Make 12 wells. Don't worry if it is too messy. You're going to swirl it all in a minute!

Then use butter knife to swirl. I like to swirl from top to bottom and then again from side to side, being sure to get close to the edge so you get "cheesecake" in each bite! I usually do corner to corner too. It's going to be cut up so it will still look pretty.Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over batter.Bake for about 35-40 minutes at 350. Use toothpick to check for doneness. You don't want them too brown or they'll be dry. But too doughy in the middle will make for a batter-y brownie. ;)

Allow to cool and cut into squares. These are also great when they're still just slightly warm and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I've taken these marbled cheesecake brownies to school, church, and community functions and never had a disappointed "customer." They're always the first brownies to go! What's nice is they're so easy to make and so yummy.

For sheet pan brownies:
4 cubes butter, melted
1 cup cocoa
4 cups sugar
3 Tbsp vanilla
8 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt

Butter large cookie sheet and flour dust it. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. When completely cool, frost with your favorite frosting. There's a great cream cheese frosting recipe here.