Mint Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies

Does the name alone have you swooning? Oh yes, they are just as good as they sound. Maybe even better. Grace, of A Southern Grace, made these a while back, and let me just send a big ole "Thank-You" her way, cause these babies rock! Cream cheese brownies were already one of my favorite desserts, but the mint in these took them to a whole nother level. 

Considering that the mint oreo balls I made over St. Pattie's day were one of my most well received goodies ever, I should have known that there was something to this whole chocolate and mint thing. It's not just for girl scouts anymore! Keep the leftovers (if there are any) in the fridge, as they are totally awesome cold. 

Mint Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies

Courtesy of A Southern Grace, who adapted the recipe from Here

6 tablespoons butter

4-ounces mint chocolate, chopped

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs, at room temp

1/2 cup flour

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

Filling:

8-ounces cream cheese, at room temp

1 egg yolk

5 tablespoons sugar

1/8 teaspoon mint extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips

• Preheat oven to 350℉.
• Spray a 9-inch square pan with non-stick spray.
• In a large bowl, combine chopped mint chocolate and butter and melt in microwave on low. Start with 2 minutes, then stir, and continue cooking at 30 second intervals until completely melted.
• Beat in sugar and eggs.
• Add in flour, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla, and mix until combined.
• Pour into pan in a thin even layer.
• In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar and mint extract until smooth.
• Stir in chocolate chips. 
• Place dollops of cream cheese mixture sporadically over the initial brownie layer, and using a dull knife, swirl together.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until that batter in the middle is just set.
• Let cool and cut to serve. I also preferred these chilled, so I kept them in the fridge.