February 19- National Mint Chocolate Day.. Enjoy!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownies

Ingredients:

BROWNIE:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick ) salted butter
• 8 ounces  chopped semi-sweet chocolate
• 1  1/4 cups  sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup  all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Layer:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup  sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 drops liquid or gel green food coloring
• 2/3 cup (120g) mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom and sides of an 11 x 7in baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. 
2. Melt butter and semi-sweet chocolate over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature . 
3. Stir sugar into cooled chocolate/butter mixture until combined. Add in the eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth. Whisk in the vanilla. Gently fold in the flour and salt. Pour batter into prepared pan, reserving 1/4 cup of batter.
4. Beat the softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, egg yolk, 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, and 2 drops of food coloring in a medium bowl until completely smooth . Stir in the mini chocolate chips. Add spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture on top of the prepared brownie batter. Cover with the last 1/4 cup of brownie batter. Swirl knife through the layers, creating a pattern. Add more mini chocolate chips on top, if desired.
5. Bake brownies for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out almost clean. Allow brownies to cool completely before cutting into squares.