We recently went over to our friend’s house for a good old fashioned BBQ; nothing too fancy just burgers and dogs. Our gracious hosts of course said don’t worry about bringing anything, but there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to bake something.  These are my favorite moments when I can make something yummy, have a few bites and then leave the rest of the dessert on someone else counter. I don’t know about you, but when something yummy is on my counter it calls to me all the time and I have very little restraint.

Since I couldn’t decide which type of brownies to make, I made two batches!

Marshmallow Fluff Brownies…

… and Cheesecake Candy Bar Brownies!

Since this was a last minute BBQ and I wanted to make something that would be quick and easy. I cheated a little and used boxed brownies as the base for both recipes.  However, I did use the mix that includes a packet of chocolate sauce which gets added to the batter. I think this helps a bit.

The Marshmallow Fluff Brownies are definitely the quicker and easier of the two recipes.  To help give them an extra boost of chocolate I sprinkled semi-sweet chips on top of the batter before baking. **Tip – use more chips next time. 🙂 **

 The marshmallow fluff was a little tricky, because it’s so sticky, but don’t be afraid to plop it on and then use a spatula dipped in warm water to help spread. For the chocolate drizzle I kept it simple and just melted chocolate frosting.  It was easy and set up nicely. For the candy bar part of the Cheesecake Candy Bar Brownies I really wanted something with a little bit of caramel and nougat, so I went with Milky Way, but I think almost any kind would be good.  By the way I love that you can get them unwrapped and bite size – though it does make snacking on them a bit too easy. 🙂

Unlike the first recipe, where you bake the brownies first and then add the toppings, with this one you layer batter, cheesecake and chopped candy bites and then bake.

Also, Mr. E strongly suggests that you eat the Cheesecake Candy Bar Brownies warm and serve with vanilla ice cream… he is pretty spot on with that recommendation.

Marshmallow Fluff Brownies

1 box brownie mix & ingredients per box (I use Ghirardelli Chocolate Supreme)
½ jar of Marshmallow Fluff
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ chocolate frosting (I used store bought)

Preheat oven to 350°.  Line a 9×9 baking dish with foil and lightly grease.

Make brownie batter following the recipe on the box and pour into prepared baking dish.  Sprinkle the top with the semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few chocolate crumbs, but not raw batter.

While still warm spread the top of the baked brownies with the marshmallow fluff.  Place the frosting in a microwave safe cup. I used a glass measuring cup. Using the microwave melt the frosting, but don’t let boil.  For my microwave this was 10 seconds on high.  Then drizzle the chocolate over the top of the marshmallow fluff. 

Let cool completely before cutting.

Cheesecake Candy Bar Brownies

1 box brownie mix & ingredients per box (I use Ghirardelli Chocolate Supreme)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
⅓ cup sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 to 1 ½ cups chopped candy bites (I used Milky Way, but Snickers or any of them would be good and I chopped them into quarters)

Preheat oven to 350°.  Line a 9×9 baking dish with foil.

Make brownie batter following the recipe on the box and set aside.  In a separate bowl using a hand mixer or using a stand mixer, blend the cream cheese until smooth.  Add the sugar, vanilla and egg.  Mix well.

Pour ¾ of the brownie mixture into the foil lined pan.  Carefully pour the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter, using a spatula to spread it evenly and almost to the edges of the pan. Sprinkle the chopped candy evenly on top of the cream cheese mixture.

Drop spoonfuls of the reserved brownie batter scattered over the top.  Using a butter knife, gently drag the knife through the spoonfuls of batter, making swirls and combining the batter with the cream cheese mixture a bit.

Bake for 30 – 35 minutes.  Let cool completely before cutting.

Enjoy!