• Unicorn Love
  • CakeSpy
  • Shop
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
Menu

CakeSpy

Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number
Seeking Sweetness in Everyday Life!

Your Custom Text Here

CakeSpy

  • Unicorn Love
  • CakeSpy
  • Shop
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact

Pretty in Pink Layered Brownies

February 10, 2016 Jessie Moore

Valentines are great. But me, I'm more concerned about tines. As in, of my fork, and what dessert will be gracing them on February 14. A soufflé? A flourless chocolate cake? Well, yes to both of the above, but most of all, LAYERED STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES. 

These are extra-appropriate at this time of year because in addition to having Valentine's Day on the horizon, February 10 is also National Cream Cheese Brownie Day. Truth!

Technically, the name "layered strawberry cream cheese brownies" is accurate, but it doesn't seem to do their adorableness justice, does it? So I choose to call them "Pretty in Pink Layered Brownies", because that name does seem to do the trick. 

These brownies start with a baking mix--a gluten-free one, to boot!--made by Among Friends Baking Mixes. The particular mix I used was Alec's Awesomely Fudgy Brownie Mix (find it at a store near you). The mix employs oat flour and rice flour instead of the regular A-P stuff. Perhaps because chocolate is a dominant flavor, I didn't taste the different flours at all or detect a "gluten-free" flavor (sometimes I can in cakes and cookies--what about you?). The mix is speckled with chocolate chips, which just makes them extra chocolatey. 

Basically, I prepared the baking mix per the package instructions. But the baking adventure didn't end there. I then whipped up an incredibly delectable middle layer, consisting of cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and strawberry jam. You will have to trust me when I tell you that this filling is so good I just wanted to sit in front of a Lifetime movie all day and eat it by the spoonful. But I resisted the urge, keeping my eyes on the prize.

The cream cheese mixture was poured on top of the brownie mix, and then they were baked up in a pan. Once baked and cooled, I topped them with a little melted chocolate and butter mixture, and they looked about like this. 

Oh, my. These brownies are pretty darned special.

Since the cream cheese layer adds a lot of moisture, the bottom of the brownies stays somewhat gooey, in a good way. The middle layer--well, crack-addictive. And the topping makes them pretty as a picture, looking sort of like Nanaimo bars, and adding a little extra chocolate hit. These brownies are a success. They will make people love you. 

Since the brownies are pretty high (literally--in height) when stacked with all the layers, I found it was just fine to cut these brownies into smallish squares; they still seemed quite substantial, which I think is important in a brownie. All said and done, I got about 16 brownies from the pan. I split the batch of brownies in three parts: a few for me, a few were given to my pugs' vet tech (it's nice for the humans to get treats, too, right?) and the rest I brought to yoga.

Every party involved devoured their brownies and declared them a success; the gluten-free eaters were delighted, and so were the non-gluten eaters. 

Make these brownies! Share them with your valentine, and spear them on the tines of your fork for a sweet treat. 

Pretty in Pink Layered Brownies

Yield: one 9-inch pan worth of brownies (how many you cut is up to you!)

Printable version here

For the brownies

  • 1 box Among Friends Baking Mixes Alec's Awesomely Fudgy Brownie Mix
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup oil 

For the cream cheese topping

  • 1 brick (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened* (this is important!)
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1//3 cup good quality strawberry jam 
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

For the topping

  • 1 large bar (3.5 ounces) good quality dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter 

Procedure

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (note: this is a different temperature than called for on the brownie box mix. Don't worry, it's going to be OK).

Generously grease a 9-inch brownie pan. Line with parchment or foil if you like (I like to).

Mix together all of the brownie ingredients as specified on the box. Once mixed, spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan.

Put together the filling ingredients. First, cream the cream cheese really well, so that it is totally fluffy and smooth. Add the remaining ingredients, and mix until smooth. If you feel like you'd like the mixture more pink, add a couple of drops of food coloring. Pour right on top of the brownie mixture.

ccbrowniesrecipestep4.jpg

Place the pan in the oven, and bake for 35 minutes, or until set. The edges might get a little golden, but you want the top to remain mostly pink. 

Let the pan cool on a wire rack until it reaches room temperature, then cover with plastic and store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or as long as overnight.

Make the topping. Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave or in the top of a double boiler. Once mixed and smooth, spread over the brownies and cream cheese mixture. Be sure to cover the area evenly. Because the brownies were chilled, the topping should set rather quickly. 

webblayerbrownies5.jpg

Slice into squares or rectangles to serve. Keep leftovers in the refrigerator, but let warm to cool room temperature to serve. 

What dessert will you enjoy this Valentine's Day? 

In recipes
← February 11: Homemade Pop Rocks Candy for National Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk DayFebruary 9: National Bagel Day and National Pizza Day →
 Find me on Facebook!

Find me on Facebook!

 My new book drops in December! Available for pre-order on Amazon right now.

My new book drops in December! Available for pre-order on Amazon right now.

Get my newsletter!
 

Here’s to Big Life Changes, friends. After nearly 11 years I have decided to lovingly say goodbye to CakeSpy. You can read my final post and learn more on the blog today. #transition #cakespy #unicornlove
Here’s to Big Life Changes, friends. After nearly 11 years I have decided to lovingly say goodbye to CakeSpy. You can read my final post and learn more on the blog today. #transition #cakespy #unicornlove
Fantastic appliance for cake making on DHgate.com
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
Craftsy Writer

Powered by Squarespace