Christmas Tree Cheesecake Brownies

Recipe courtesy of Jenn Fillenworth of “Jenny with the Good Eats” on behalf of Milk Means More
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 16

Nonstick cooking spray

Cheesecake Batter:

8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Brownie Batter:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Decorations:

green frosting
white frosting
assorted sprinkles
star-shaped sprinkles
candy canes

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Coat 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
To make cheesecake batter: Place cream cheese in bowl of stand mixer. Beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add sugar and beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and beat mixture until blended.
To make brownie batter: In medium bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder and salt until combined. In separate bowl, whisk sugar, oil, milk, eggs and vanilla until well combined. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until blended.
Pour brownie batter evenly into prepared pan.
Carefully pour cheesecake batter over top, spreading evenly. Carefully swirl layers together using knife tip.
Bake 30 minutes until brownies are set.
Cool brownies completely in pan on wire rack before cutting into triangle pieces.
Decorate trees by piping green and white frosting. Top with assorted sprinkles and star-shaped sprinkles. Place 3-inch candy cane pieces in bottoms of brownies for stumps.

Items Used in Creating this Recipe