Red Velvet Brownie Cheesecake

Another instant favorite!!

I was told that these are rich.
(My sweet tooth has a hard time distinguishing.)
Small pieces will do.

red velvet brownie cheesecake_1653-1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 8-inch baking pan, and set aside.

Red Velvet Layer:
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Pinch salt
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Add melted butter to a large bowl and add the sugar, vanilla, cocoa powder, salt, food coloring, and vinegar,
in that order, mixing between additions.
Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and stir it into the cocoa mix.
Fold in the flour until lightly combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan,
saving 1/4 cup of the batter for the top.

Cream Cheese Layer:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Blend together the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
Gently spread the cream cheese layer on top of the brownie batter in the pan.
Dollop the remaining brownie batter over the cream cheese layer.
Using a skewer or the tip of a knife, drag the tip through the cream cheese mixture to create a swirl pattern.
Bake the brownies for 30 minutes.

Remove to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before cutting.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you are a fan of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream…
you will be a fan of these.

I enjoy trying new treats for the holidays.
Variety is nice for parties and sweets for the neighbors.

What attracted me to these was the fun green color.
The taste will bring me back!DSC_0041

1 (1 pound 1.5 ounce) pouch Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 teaspoon mint extract
6 drops green food color
1 egg
1 cup creme de menthe baking chips
(Andes makes these)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
(I used chips, since that was what I had on hand)

Mix cookie mix, butter, extract, food color and egg in bowl, until soft dough forms.
Stir in creme de menthe baking chips and chocolate chunks.

    Using small cookie scoop or teaspoon, drop dough 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
    Bake at 350 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes.
    Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
    Serve warm or cool completely.
    Store tightly covered at room temperature.