When I started my first blog over three years ago, I really struggled with which category of blogger I fell into. Was I a food blogger or a mommy blogger? I love cooking, baking and writing about food but I also couldn’t deny the fact that I am a mom and being a mom makes up a huge portion of my life. After much contemplation, I started my family blog and my food blog attempting to maintain the two separately. Little by little, I began to notice that my family life slowly started creeping into my food blog more often than not.
My main blog has always been my food blog but as any of you who read my blog have noticed, the family portion is a huge part of it now as well. Most of my posts relate somehow back to my personal life and often my kids. My “mommy” blog is often very neglected as I have found that it is easier for me to just work with the one blog and combine the two categories.
Over the next several weeks, you are going to see a lot more of my mommy side coming out in my posts as I have been chosen to be a part of a really fun blogging opportunity. I’ll share more about it next week, but wanted to give you fair warning up front! Don’t worry – Dine & Dish will remain a food blog and you will still continue to get a dose of my foodie side with each post.
Speaking of combining things, are you one of those people who likes to add things into your brownies or do you prefer to just go with the simple chocolate fudge version? I typically like my brownies as plain as can be, so I would consider myself to be a brownie purist in that regard. No mix-ins or toppings needed because then I think it becomes too much of a good thing, which really can ruin a good recipe sometimes. This was my firm belief until I recently tried the Black-and-White Cheesecake Square recipe from the Easter issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Holy heaven on earth – these little squares are soooo good. The chocolate brownie batter is incredibly thick and rich. It is topped with a layer of delicious cheesecake and finished off with dollops of more fudgy brownie batter. I have now discovered that sometimes, combining the right amount of two really good things turns out great!
Black & White Cheesecake Squares
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil cooking spray
- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 10 ounces 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 21/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Line dish with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on both long sides, then spray parchment.
- Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Cream butter and granulated sugar with a mixer until smooth. Add 2 eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla, and beat until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl. Reduce speed to low; add flour mixture. Increase speed to medium; beat until incorporated.
- Reserve 1 cup of dough; cover, and refrigerate. Press remaining dough into bottom of prepared dish. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (I eliminated the refrigeration step). Bake until base is set and edges are puffed, about 25 minutes. Let cool in dish on a wire rack.
- Mix cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and remaining egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl. Spread over cooled base; crumble reserved dough on top. Bake until filling is set, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in dish on wire rack, then lift out using overhang. Cut into 24 squares. Squares will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 3 days.
I love additions… peanut butter or Milky Ways as in the case of my last post!!
The cheesecakey sort that you have here are always a fave.
RecipeGirls last blog post..Weight Loss/Biggest Loser Update – 2 months later…
I think it’s inescapable to include the rest of your personal life in foodie thoughts. Food is after all often a social activity and usually time a family spends together. How could that not come into the picture? I love reading blogs where people are able to show their inspiration and influences, especially when it comes to what they’re doing in the kitchen! Otherwise it’s just another recipe 🙂
Kips last blog post..Roasted Aubergine and Tomato Soup
these look amazing – going on my to make list!
picky cooks last blog post..home
i those brownie + cheesecake = great twist!
Pearls last blog post..Almond Brittle
I like anything and everything in my brownies! I also struggle with my blog identity, because although I do want to write mostly about food, I can’t limit myself to only food since there’s so much I like to write about! So far I think it’s working out okay 🙂 I like how you include a snippet of your family life and tie it in to each of your recipes.
Amy I.s last blog post..Turkey Burger Innovation
Very chocolaty and rich. LOVE them! Great recipe!!
Marias last blog post..Recipe for Lemon Angel Food Cupcakes
It makes sense that your food and family merge in to one blog as our lives seem to revolve around both!
HoneyBs last blog post..Black and White and another giveaway
Funny but my answer to you was ALWAYS plain brownies EXCEPT when mixed with cheesecake. 🙂
I like the mommy stuff, but I am a mommy so I’m biased. I always mean to write more “life” stuff but half the time just getting the food stuff down is enough work!
Lauras last blog post..A Postcard From Atlanta… Without Any Pictures
I love cheesecake brownies! I’ll have to try these next time I make them. I really like caramel brownies. Chocolate and caramel are always a classic combo for me.
Katies last blog post..Buttery Dinner Rolls
I’ve got to admit to not being crazy about brownies. If I’m making them I usually add something along with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Now blondies are a different story!
Can’t wait to see what you’re up to!
~ingrid
ingrids last blog post..S’mores Brownies two ways
I think that the people we cook FOR and WITH make up so much of who we are… as cooks, as bloggers. So, I think mommy blogging fits right in!
Love these brownies. I’m the sort who DOES like to sneak things in. I have plenty of great brownie recipes, but I almost never make them the same way twice.
These brownies look positively divine!
los last blog post..It’s NOT a Morel Dilemma: Vote for US!
Beautiful brownies, my family would enjoy.
Hélènes last blog post..Orange, Walnut, and Chocolate Chip Muffins
I cant wait to hear your announcement!
I love the brownies!
leslies last blog post..Easter, a bit late
Wow what a wonderful brownie recipe!! Thanks !! I will have to bake these Cheesecake squares this week!
Brownie Powers last blog post..Oreo Crunch Brownies
I’m definitely a mix-in kind of brownie lover. These look great & looking forward to the “mommy side!”
sharons last blog post..Pesto Sausage and Kale Pizza
Those look delicious!
I have a craving for cheesecake lately, and I have a feeling those guys will satisfy this craving once and for all!
yum!
Those look amazing!!
Stephs last blog post..Flour Frosting V2 and Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake
I like cheesecake. I love brownies. THESE in my house, would be trouble. I could tell myself that I’m making them for work but I have a pretty good feeling that they might not make it in…
mariss last blog post..Make This Cake, Then I’ll Tell You Its Name
Oh man, does that look good. Never been a fan of cheesecake brownies before, but I don’t think I can pass this one up.
Cate O’Malleys last blog post..Margherita’s Pizza & Cafe: The Best Pizza in New Jersey?
I’m mostly a brownie purist, but cheesecake brownies are the one exception, so I think I’ll definitely be giving these a try! They look fantastic.
Teri @ Make A Whisks last blog post..Deviled Eggs with Bacon
These look so decadent and addictive! I’ll be giving these a try!
Lyndas last blog post..Ham and Asparagus Quiche
Mmmm, yum. I would say I’m a brownie purist, but I love brownies a-la-mode! Will give these a go though, your change over has my interest peaked!
Hope you are well, and looking forward to hearing your new venture news.
Oooo those are like the black and white cookie, but better. My husband would love these. Thanks for sharing!
judyfoodies last blog post..Quick Rasmalai
The more in the brownie, the better. Seriously. All things creamy are good too. Like cream cheese…
The Duo Dishess last blog post..We’re Getting Older By the Day
Incredible – Yes another kick ass culinary creation!!
Cathy – wheresmydamnanswers last blog post..How Do You Get Organized “Business Wise”??
I love all kinds of brownies; the plain ones as well as the ones with additions, so any will do..:) I haven’t been blogging for very long (I think it’s almost a year soon!!) and I started out with several blogs; one on travel, on on food, one of other stuff. That obviously did not work at all so now I just focus on the one blog and while it is a foodieblog primarily it’s also travel related, so I also combine the best of both world! Can’t wait to read your “mommy-posts”!
Simone (junglefrog)s last blog post..Off to Italy!!
Plain or with mix-ins – I love brownies in every form. A cheesecake layer works very well with my tastes!
Kathy – Cooking On the Sides last blog post..The Best Fudge Brownies Ever
I love them simple and with fun things added in… as long as the brownie is dense and fudgey, I’m in love!
Patsyks last blog post..Clementine Yogurt Muffins
So happy I found your blog! I am here to stay 🙂
Dawns last blog post..Partybluprints.com EARTH DAY GIVEAWAY
Those brownies sound to die for! I’m not a brownie purist, though, so I’m always a fan of changing things up.
I love the mommy side of you that sneeks into this blog, and I’m eager to see what you have coming!
Erins last blog post..Inspired by Bloggers!
These look wonderful! I don’t know where I would fall because I don’t really make brownies that often…purist or not, I’d try these!
Claires last blog post..Stuffed to the Gills! 🙂
Yay for mommy/food bloggers!! With two passions sharing my heart, it’s hard to choose one to blog about.
Can’t WAIT to hear more about your new project!
Aimees last blog post..Reminiscing over Italy and the sandwich that came of it.
This looks great! I see no reason not to go for both “pure” brownies and those with additions — that just means more brownies, no?
Lizs last blog post..Toasts with loquats, cheese and basil