Jackie's Mexican Cheesecake Bars

For quite some time I have been talking about Jackie guest blogging for me. Well that time has finally arrived! She is a great cook, but not a huge fan of baking despite the fact that everything she bakes is met with fabulous reviews. The following is straight from the lovely redhead herself:

I made these for a little boy named Donnie, who recently turned one. He had a Mexican fiesta party and his mom asked me to make a dessert. I am NOT a baker, but wanted to contribute something. So I found this recipe and altered it slightly. Little Donnie was too young to enjoy them, but the rest of the party loved them. I didn't even get a chance to taste them for myself. But I am making them for my mother-in-law-to-be's birthday. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

2 (8 ounce) pkgs. cream cheese softened
1 Cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 (8 ounce) pkgs crescent rolls
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter

Directions

1. Spray 9 X 13 baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and vanilla until combined.


3. Unroll 1 pkg. crescent rolls and shape to bottom of baking dish. (You may need to use a rolling pin and flour.)

4. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly onto crescent roll layer.


5. Top cream cheese mixture with 2ND crescent roll layer.

6. Combine 3/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, and 1/2 cup sugar. (I used my hands just for fun.)

7. Dot sugar mixture on the the crescent roll layer.


8. Bake for 35 minutes or until crescent roll is golden brown.

Makes 12 cream cheese bars.

Back to me (Jenn) now...Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to try one of these. Apparently, I was too busy drinking beer with the Husband and deciding which one of the adorable little babies we were going to steal and keep for ourselves. Haha, not true...Not true that we were actually going to go through with it, however, we did discuss it. I guess that's what happens when you find yourself newlywed and at a birthday party surrounded by babies. Or is that just us????

Regardless, I know they were delicious because the guests were raving and I overheard them. Perhaps she will make them for me another time. Cinco de Mayo??? Job well done, Jackie!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Decadent. That is the only word that comes to mind....and delicious, delectable, definitely delightful. That's enough alliteration for one day. Or is it? Maybe there is something to Betty Crocker after all because these were freakin' fabulous! I got this recipe from my B.C. cookbook, but you can also find it online.

My mom had the husband and I over for dinner the other night while my niece was spending the weekend at her house. She made us shrimp scampi that was fantastic and I brought these brownies for dessert. I also brought them to The Ladies first Book Club meeting which was also spectacular. Although next time perhaps we should have a little less wine and a little more book talk. I digress....

Anywho, these come highly recommended by me and everyone else who had the pleasure of pleasing their palette with their gratifying goodness. I pretty much followed Betty's recipe except I decided to skip the chocolate frosting and substitute it for homemade chocolate ganache because something about this recipe just had to be from scratch or I couldn't live with myself. In the end, I think I made the right decision. It really made the difference and I learned how to do something new!



Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

1	box Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
1/3	cup vegetable oil
1/4	cup water
2	eggs
1	pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix
1/2	cup butter or margarine, softened
1	egg

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray, or grease with shortening. Make brownie mix as directed on box, using oil, water and 2 eggs. Spread in pan.

2. Make cookie mix as directed on pouch, using butter and 1 egg. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls evenly onto brownie batter; press down lightly.

3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool on cooling rack 30 minutes. Cover with the chocolate ganache (recipe to follow) and cut into bars.

For the ganache:

1. In a small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream and 6 tbsp. butter until just before the boiling stage.

2. Pour over 12 oz. chocolate semi-sweet chips that are in a separate bowl.

3. Let stand for about 30 seconds and stir until everything is incorporated and smooth.

4. Pour over the brownies and allow to set before cutting. (This might take longer than you think)

Finally, pour yourself a BIG glass of milk (or wine) and try to eat just one!