I believe the Reese’s factory exploded in my 8×8 pan

This is another recipe from bakingblonde’s blog. It’s sooo amazing! The kitchen smells heavenly and these are my first brownies I’ve ever made from scratch. They came out super moist too!! These are not for the dieters…oh well! I’m bringing half to work tomorrow so there isn’t that much to tempt me!

Double Peanut Butter Cheesecake Swirled Brownies

3/4 cup butter, very soft (not melted but softer than room temp)
1 cup sugar (I used 1/2 c of splenda and 1/2 c of sugar)
1 TBS vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, melted (I used another oz of semi sweet instead because I love sweeter chocolate)
1 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted
1/2 cup all purpose flour (I used whole wheat flour)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Swirl
4 oz cream cheese, softened (I used 1/3 less fat)
1/2 cups creamy PB
1/3 cup sugar (I used splenda here)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

5-6 Reese’s peanut butter cups (regular size) cut into 6-8 pieces each
IMPORTANT: Do NOT omit the Reese’s Peanut Butter cups. They take these brownies over the top and add the “Double” Peanut Butter taste the title tepts tastebuds with

Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8×8″ square pan with foil and lightly coat with PAM cooking spray.

In a microwave safe bowl melt the two baking chocolate squares in 30 second intervals stirring after each interval until smooth and melted after stirring. Do not scortch! Remove from microwave and allow to come to room temperature.

In a large mixing bowl, Beat together butter and sugar until combined. Beat in eggs one at a time until blended. Add vanilla and melted chocolate. Mix to combine. Combine dry ingredients in medium bowl and wisk together. Gradually stir dry ingredients into butter mixture. Do not overmix.

In separate mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, peanut butter sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add egg and beat until just combined.

Spread about 2/3 of chocolate brownie batter into prepared pan. Evenly drop 1/2 of cheesecake batter in dollups over brownie batter. Run a knife through both mixtures to slightly swirl.

Dollop remaining brownie batter and cheesecake batter over swirled mixture. Run knife through the brownie and cheesecake dollops (not all the way through the already swirled layer) to create a swirled pattern.
Bake for 35- 40 minutes**, or until center is set and a toothpick inserted in the center has a few crumbs stuck to it. Do not over bake or they will harden, if under baked they will be too gooey. Every oven is different so watch and check these after about 30 minutes of baking to ensure they are done.

**After about 30 minutes of baking (with about 5-7 minutes of baking time left, you just need to eyeball it) gently place cut up Reese’s cups over top of almost fully baked brownies. Finish baking until a toothpick inserted in the center has a few crumbs stuck to it. The Reese’s PB cups will melt but hold their shape slightly. Cool completely on wire rack before cutting and serving.

Nutritional Info: (if I dare)

If you go by the regular recipe, it’s about 400 cals/brownie for 12 brownies. However, I cut them into 16 and my substitutions make them:

Calories 244.1
Total Fat 17.8 g
Total Carbohydrate 19.4 g
Dietary Fiber 2.2 g
Sugars 11.4 g
Protein 5.7 g

Weight Watchers Points: 6 (a splurge well worth it!!)