Friday, September 20, 2013

Cheesecake Brownies

With the colder winter nights coming to an end, our church pastors decided to organise a bonfire party before the weather got warm.

The barbecued meat, sausages and bread were provided by the church. So all we needed to do was to bring either a salad or dessert to share with the rest of the crowd. As I do not know what type of salads the locals would like to eat, I decided to make a dessert for the bonfire party.

I initially wanted to make some Rocky Road but the ingredients were too expensive. So I decided to bake some brownies instead. While chocolate brownies are a classic hit amongst many, I wanted to make something different because I was afraid that somebody else would also be bringing chocolate brownies to the party.

I spent a few days searching online for brownie recipes and stumbled upon this interesting Cheesecake Brownie recipe featured in www.taste.com.au. The recipe required sour cream but I did not know what to do with the sour cream leftovers if I bought a bottle of sour cream, so I decided to use thickened cream with a bit of lemon juice for the brownie.

The Cheesecake Brownies turned out really delicious but it was very rich and filling. So everyone only ate a piece each. When I make this brownie again, I will cut them up in smaller pieces so that it’s not so filling.

Cheesecake Brownies

Cheesecake Brownies 


Ingredients:

Melted butter, to grease
150g butter, chopped
300g dark cooking chocolate, coarsely broken
3 eggs
1 cup caster sugar
1 ½ cups plain flour
¼ cup thickened cream, at room temperature
1 packet (250g) cream cheese, at room temperature
2 tbsp lemon juice

Method: 

Lightly grease a square or round cake pan with melted butter. Line the base and the sides of the cake pan with greaseproof paper.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.

Mix the butter and the chocolate in a small pot over low heat. Stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove it from heat and set aside for about 5 minutes.

Whisk two eggs in a small bowl. Combine the whisked eggs with 2/3 cup of the sugar. Put the eggs and sugar mixture into the chocolate mixture. Stir to combine. Add in the flour, cream (mixed with lemon juice) and stir until well combined.

Beat the cream cheese and remaining sugar with an electric beater in a separate bowl until smooth. Add the remaining egg to the mixture and beat until well combined.

Carefully spoon the chocolate and cream cheese mixtures alternately onto the cake pan. Use a knife to make swirls and create a marble effect.

Bake for 30 minutes or until skewer comes out clean when inserted into the centre of the cake. Cool the cake in the pan for 1 hour before cutting into small squares.

Hope you enjoy trying this Cheesecake Brownies recipe. Happy baking!

Cheers,

Caroline Poh

Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia

Living in Adelaide and planning to have a short one day weekend getaway? Why not visit the Mount Lofty Ranges.

The Mount Lofty Ranges are mountains located at the east of Adelaide, South Australia. It is just a 30 minutes drive from Adelaide.

Here are the attractions of Mount Lofty Ranges:-

Mount Lofty Summit 

The Mount Lofty Summit is the perfect place for you unwind while enjoying the breathtaking views across Adelaide’s city skyline to the coast. Pay a little extra and you get to use the binoculars at the summit to get a better view or just bring your own binoculars. If you are hungry, you can always get a bite at the fully licensed Summit Restaurant and CafĂ©.

The-Moun-Lofty-Summit

The Mount Lofty Summit
(photo taken from: www.southaustralia.com)


Top-view-of-the-Mount-Lofty-Summit

Top view of the Mount Lofty Summit
(photo taken from: www.southaustralia.com)

Mount Lofty House 


The Mount Lofty House is an iconic country manor house that was built 160 years ago. It has now been converted into a boutique luxury accommodation and fine dining place. Even if you do not wish to stay or dine there, it is worth a visit. The house is excellently restored while maintaining its unique architecture and former glory. A visit to the house is truly a good way to help you get a glimpse of what life was like for the elite group back in the olden days. The house is also surrounded by beautiful gardens, landscape and spectacular views.

The-entrance-of-the-Mount-Lofty-House

The entrance of the Mount Lofty House

The-side-view-of-the-Mount-Lofty-House

The side view of the Mount Lofty House

Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens 

If you like the outdoors and mother nature, then Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens is the place to be. The garden is home to a stunning mass display of magnolias, rhododendrons, camellias and roses. The best time to visit the garden is during the spring and autumn seasons because this is the time when the magnificent flowers are blooming.

If you love walking, explore the garden through its walking trails. If not, just sit down and relax while having a picnic by the lakeside with your family and friends.

Walking-trails-of-Mount-Lofty-Botanic-Garden

Walking trails of Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
(photo taken from: www.southaustralia.com)

Mount Lofty Ranges is a really good option for a one day weekend getaway, especially if you live in Adelaide, South Australia. Its panoramic views, fresh air and unspoilt mother nature makes the place perfect for anyone wishing to take a short break from their everyday lives.

I hope this post helps.

Cheers,

Caroline Poh
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