When the weather is dreary and cold like it is now, I love to turn that oven on and bake away.  Yesterday was one of those days when I knew a decadent dessert was in order.  The kids are on Christmas break so I let them choose the dessert de jour.  Two of them asked for brownies while the other two agreed on cheesecake.  I knew that Brownie Swirl Cheesecake was the answer to this dilemma.  If you have never made this, I highly recommend trying it, it is very easy and super delicious!

Brownie Swirl Cheesecake

What you will need:

• Springform pan, greased on bottom only
• Boxed brownie mix (plus ingredients called for on box)
• 2 packages of cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup sugar
• chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 deg.  Prepare brownies as directed and pour into springform pan.  Bake 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of your pan and brownie mix amount.  I used about only  3/4 of the brownie batter simply because I didn’t want the brownie portion of the dessert to overpower the cheesecake.

Next, mix the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla on medium speed until smooth.  Add one egg at a time, mixing after each until completely incorporated.  Add cream cheese mixture to springform pan.  Melt chocolate chips in microwave and spoon onto cheesecake mixture.  take a knife and cut through the chocolate/cheesecake several times to create swirl effect.   Bake another 30-35 minutes.

Allow to cool completely then run your knife around the edge of the cake to separate it from the pan.  Chill for an hour or so and enjoy!