Sunday, August 17, 2008

PRETTY- IN- PINK STREUSEL BROWNIES

I like cookbooks! That probably isn't a surprise to anybody that knows
me because of how much I like to cook. My good friend Jane gave me 
this book called Brownie Mix Bliss by Camilla V. Saulsbury.

I hardly ever use box mixes because I prefer to make most everything
from scratch. But, the other day the store had Brownie mixes on sale
for 1/2 price so I picked up a few for times when I might need a dessert
in a hurry.

Last Saturday was one of those times with 2 birthday cakes and a church
function all landing on the same weekend. I looked through the Brownie
Mix Bliss book and came up with Pretty-In-Pink Streusel Brownies. Just
the name alone made me want to make them! The recipe called for straw-
berry jam, but all I had was Red Plum. I figured it would probably still 
taste good and I was right. With each bite you get chewy brownie, tart jam 
and a nice cheesecake type flavor--YUM.

I like recipes that make a large batch and this one fills a 9 x 13 pan. You
do have to watch and make sure that these get done enough in the center,
but not too done or the edges will overbake and be hard (just like regular 
brownies.)

I received several enthusiastic thumbs up at church when everybody dug
in--is there a better rating system than that?

(go ahead, click the picture--I double dog dare you)




PRETTY- IN- PINK STREUSEL BROWNIES

1 Package Brownie mix 19.5 ounce
2 1/4 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
2  8oz packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups berry jam, divided (strawberry, raspberry, plum, etc)
2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350. Grease or non stick spray the bottom only of a 9 x 13 inch
baking pan. I foil lined the pan, leaving the foil hanging down over the short edges
so I could just lift the brownies out when they were done. That way the pan is
cleaner and the brownies are easier to cut neatly.

In a large bowl mix the brownie mix, oats and melted butter with a wooden spoon
until just blended and all dry ingredients are moistened.  Gently press half the
mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

In another mixing bowl beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup jam with the electric
mixer set on medium. Beat in eggs just until blended and spread over the base
layer. Dollop remaining 3/4 cup of jam in teaspoons on top of the filling. Gently
spread until the cream cheese layer is just covered. Sprinkle remaining crumb 
mixture over the jam and press gently into filling.

Bake 32-34 minutes until topping is firm and center is just set. Cool completely
on wire rack. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving so the middle is set. Cut
into bars.

Makes 24 large or 36 small bars.


6 comments:

Laura ~Peach~ said...

i feel my butt getting bigger as I drool at the picture :) yum!

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Okay ... I did it! I clicked on the picture and just gained 10 lbs!!! Hopefully I will lose a bit of that weight with the task of wiping away all the drool that is spilling out uncontrollably. That's it! No more blogging before dinner for me! (Bye ~~ I need a snack.)

p.s.
Even my word verification ["dbeluebe"] looks like drool! It's a conspiracy! ; )

Kimmie said...

hi

I think I will try some right now....I happen to have all the right stuff...not sue what jam I have???

Nice to meet another hsing mama...I came over from Our Red House *Kate's.

thanks for the recipe...my four little ones will love mixing it up while their big sisters are out this morning.

Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted

Anonymous said...

Another great looking treat!

Thanks, Kris!

Karen Deborah said...

yummmmmmmm
tag
I'm getting even tomorrow with my own "I've been cooking" post. Your always getting me to chew on my hands,,,salivating all over the keyboard.

Kathy said...

I came here to visit from Fresh fixins. I have so much enjoyed my visit. I love your pictures and the recipes. I certainly will be trying a few. I'll be back!