As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Friday, February 14, 2014

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie Hearts

If your busy schedule has left you little time for planning a special treat for your sweetheart, you still can make a decadent dessert your valentine will love. Perfect for those who are short on time, these homemade confections will go straight to your loved one’s heart.

By embellishing packaged brownie mix with cream cheese, red food color, and a few pantry staples, it’s easy to whip up a moist and colorful chocolate treat swirled with the yummy taste of cheesecake. To make them extra special, set on decorative doilies and arrange on pretty platters like these Anchor Hocking Isabella Platters.

So go ahead and give it a whirl. After all, rich confections made fresh from your kitchen will guarantee you a sweet place in your valentine’s heart forever. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love chocolate? Here are a few more recipes with the decadent taste of chocolate: Molten Chocolate Cakes, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Hot Cocoa, and Mini Brownie Trifles

RED VELVET CHEESECAKE BROWNIE HEARTS

1 (18- to -21 ounce) package fudge brownie mix
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup brewed coffee
1 1/2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon red food color
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2 eggs
1 (8-ounce) package regular or reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1 (3-ounce) package regular or reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1 egg white
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil, letting ends extend beyond edges on 2 sides. Coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, cocoa powder, vegetable oil, coffee, 1 1/2 tablespoons food color, vinegar, and eggs. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixed; spread in prepared pan.

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheeses, egg white, and confectioners’ sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Remove 1/2 of the batter to a small bowl; stir the remaining 1 teaspoon food color into this batter. Drop plain batter by tablespoons randomly onto brownie batter. Drop red batter in the same manner. Using a butter knife, swirl through the batters to create a marbled effect. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Remove brownies by lifting foil ends; place on a cutting board. Remove foil; use a cookie cutter to cut heart shapes. Makes 16 large heart-shaped brownies.

This recipe and a recipe for Filet Mignon with Mushroom Sauce can be found here.

Thanks to Anchor Hocking for providing serveware