Mascarpone-Cheesecake Brownies Four Ways

Ingredients

CHOCOLATE SIN MASCARPONE BROWNIES

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar (optional)
• 1/2 cup creme fraiche (optional)

FOR DOUBLE TOFFEE MASCARPONE BROWNIES

• 2 teaspoons espresso powder (optional)
• 3/4 cup toffee pieces, divided reserve 1/4 cup (optional)
• 1/2 cup creme fraiche (optional)
• 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar (optional)

FOR BOURBON PECAN MASCARPONE BROWNIES

• 4 tablespoons bourbon, divided reserve 2 tablespoons (optional)
• 1/2 cup pecan, chopped (optional)
• 1/2 cup creme fraiche (optional)
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   (CLASSIC CHEESECAKE BROWNIES)---Preheat oven to 350'F Grease 9" square baking pan, then line with 14"X8" sheet of parchment paper, overlapping parchment on two sides to form "handles.".

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, blend 1 cup of Mascarpone Cheese and 1 egg yolk; stir in 3 Tablespoons Sugar, 3 Tablespoons Flour until smooth, set aside.

3. 3

   In a large, heavy nonstick saucepan, melt 1 stick of butter, 2 oz chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, stirring constantly over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 large eggs until well blended. Stir in 2/3 cup flour until well blended.

4. 4

   Spread about 1/2 brownie batter into pan. Alternately spoon on Mascarpone and remaining brownie batter. Shake pan back and forth gently on countertop to level the batters. With the tip of a knife, swirl to marble mixtures.

5. 5

   Bake 30-35 minutes or until brownies just begin to pull from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on rack. Chill before cutting for best results.

6. 6

   (FOR CHOCOLATE SIN MASCARPONE BROWNIES).-----Add 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips to brownie batter at end of STEP 3; bake and cool as directed. Meanwhile, blend 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 2 Tablespoons confectioner's sugar and 1/2 cup Creme Fraiche in a small heavy saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until smooth. Pour glaze over brownies and chill until set.

7. 7

   (FOR DOUBLE TOFFEE MASCARPONE BROWNIES)------Add 2 Teaspoons espresso powder to brownie batter with sugar in STEP 3 mix as directed, then stir in 1/2 cup chopped hard toffee candy such as Heath or Werther's. Bake and cool as directed. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat 1/2 cup Creme Fraiche with 3 Tablespoons confectioner's sugar until soft peaks form; stir in another 1/4 cup reserved toffee. Serve immediately over brownies.

8. 8

   (FOR BOURBON PECAN MASCARPONE BROWNIES).-----Add 2 Tablespoons bourbon and 1/2 cup chopped pecans to brownie batter after STEP 3; bake and cool as directed. Meanwhile in a small saucepan, combine another 2 Tablespoons bourbon, 1/2 cup Creme Fraiche and 1/2 cup light brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 minutes. Chill sauce before drizzling over brownies.