Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Espresso Cheesecake Brownies (TWD)


This week's Tuesdays with Dorie (TWD) recipe was chosen by Melissa of Life in a Peanut Shell: Espresso Cheesecake Brownies. There's a bottom brownie layer, topped with a cheesecake layer with swirled in brownie batter, topped with a sweetened sour cream glaze.

These were pretty simple to make, but do require several long periods of refrigeration - I wanted to eat these straight from the oven! I'll admit I was a bit unsure about this recipe, but it really surprised me. They're definitely not as chocolately as I thought they would be, but this is a great way to satiate a cheesecake craving without having to go through all the trouble of making a cheesecake. I'd probably describe these more as cheesecake bites than I would brownies, probably because the chocolate flavor is pretty subtle.


The sour cream topping was just barely tart and slightly sweet and was an excellent contrast to the cheesecake and brownie layers. I know several people omitted this, but I would really recommend giving it a try. If I make it without the sour cream topping in the future, then I'll probably cut them into bite size pieces, dip them in chocolate, and then freeze them like those Sara Lee cheesecake bites! :)


Thanks Melissa, for picking this recipe. I enjoyed trying something new. If you would like the recipe, you can find it here. Make sure you check out the TWD Blogroll, to see how everyone else enjoyed this creamy, chocolatey treat.

* Recipes notes:
- I used 1 tsp of espresso powder instead of 1.5 tsp and felt this had plenty of coffee flavor!
- I baked my brownies in a dark pan and they were done right at 35 minutes.
- Wrapped well, these will keep in the freezer for 2 months (without the glaze).
- For tips, click here.

18 comments:

  1. Oh yum, this is making me think all evil thoughts on what to have for breakfast!

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  2. i really think yours is the first version i've seen to use the sour cream topping. it's something i definitely wouldn't skip!

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  3. Yours are the first I've seen with the frosting. I thought I wanted mine with frosting. Now I know I do! They look good and I love sour cream!
    ~ingrid

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  4. CHEESECAKE BITE-LIKE?!?!??! Perfect :-D

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  5. Your idea about making them into bites dipped in chocolate sounds wonderful. Your brownies look great!

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  6. Your brownies are picture perfect! Great job!

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  7. yeah, these were more cheesecake than brownie. i am all over the choco-dipped frozen idea--yum!

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  8. These are some great looking brownies!!!

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  9. I love your choco-dipped idea!! Hope to see them soon! That would just make this perfect!!!!

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  10. Hi Jamie, Believe it or not, I popped in while in search of a pizza to share for National Pizza Day this Saturday and lo and behold, I not only found your tantalizing Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Pizza, I stumbled upon these "gorgeous" looking brownies! (can brownies be gorgeous I wonder?) Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your blog has been neatly wrapped in my search engine for quite sometime but NOW, it is indeed bookmarked!!! Thanks for sharing...

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  11. I was surprised at how much more cheesecake-like they were. I bet they would be delicious dipped in chocolate!

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  12. Yummie, these brownies look so delicious...moist...

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  13. 3 layers of yum. Looks like your topping set very well.

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  14. Ooh! Yours look perfect enough to be the missing photo in Dorie's book! LOVE your idea douse them in chocolate and make cheesecake bites!

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  15. Your brownies look amazing - you've got the most perfect swirls! I agree completely with your review. These are definitely more cheesecake than brownie.

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  16. I thought the trio of flavors all together was pretty tasty too! Your brownies really are so pretty.
    AmyRuth

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