Lemon Brownies

I don't know if it's because it's in the middle of summer or what, but I am on a huge citrus kick.  From cooking pretty much any fish with orange and lemon, to these lemon brownies.  They're cakey and taste perfect for an afternoon snack in July!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a 8 or 9 inch square pan with non-stick spray. Zest and juice both lemons and set aside, you'll need to split for the brownies and the glaze.  

In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter, flour, sugar and salt until combined.

In a separate bowl whisk together eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice until just combined.   Pour into the flour mixture and beat until the batter is creamy.

Pour into prepared dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges start to turn golden brown.  Allow to cool completely before adding the glaze on top.

For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice. Spread over brownies.

Cut into bars and serve.  These brownies were so tasty and addicting.  If you're a lemon lover add these to your "must make list."  They're a hit for sure! 

Lemon Brownies

Adapted from Bakergirl

Brownies:

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 large eggs

2 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons lemon zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

Spray a 8 or 9 inch square pan with non-stick spray. 

Zest and juice both lemons and set aside.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter, flour, sugar and salt until combined.

In a separate bowl whisk together eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice until just combined.   

Pour into the flour mixture and beat until the batter is creamy.

For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice. 

Spread over brownies and enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

It has been a busy few weeks: graduation, visitors, C's birthday, packing, moving across country.  I'm still in Dallas for the next week but C has officially moved (and taken all my stuff) to Phoenix.  So, although it's been a busy time, I still wanted to make C something special for this birthday so we could celebrate before left.  I think we both agree the best thing is chocolate and peanut butter together, and I think C's favorite dessert is cheesecake. I put them all together for this awesome dessert.  Please forgive my lack of pictures on how I made this, I didn't have my camera with me at the time!  

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Crush oreo's into fine crumbs and add melted butter.  Combine well and press into the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan.  Beat softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  add eggs one at a time beating in between each one.  Add remaining ingredients, beating until all is smooth.  Pour into crust and allow to sit at room temperature 30 minutes.  Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 60 minutes.  Allow to sit in the oven with the door open for another 30 minutes.  Remove from the oven and run a knife around the edge.  Allow to come to room temperature while you make the additional toppings.

To make the peanut butter topping  put whipping cream into a saucepan and heat just until bubbling at the edges.  Turn off the heat and add peanut butter chips, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  To make the chocolate topping put whipping cream into saucepan and heat until bubbling at the edges.  Turn heat off, add the chocolate chips, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  After 5 minutes stir both until smooth.  Pour peanut butter over the top of the cheesecake, smooth to edges.  Refrigerate for 10 minutes.  Pour chocolate over peanut butter and smooth into a center circle.  Decorate as desired.  I topped with extra peanut butter and chocolate chips.

Refrigerate overnight before serving for best consistency.  This was a really hard task, to wait an entire night to try this amazing dessert.  If  you're a peanut butter & chocolate fan this is the dessert for you.  It's very rich, but it's the perfect birthday treat. 

And what a Happy Birthday it was :) 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Cheesecake:

9 oz oreo's

1/4 cup butter

2 8oz packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 cups dark chocolate chips

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoon butter

3 teaspoons vanilla

Chocolate Topping:

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Peanut Butter Topping:

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup peanut butter chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  

Crush oreo's into fine crumbs and add melted butter. 

Combine well and press into the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan.  

Beat softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  

Add eggs one at a time beating in between each one.  

Add remaining ingredients, beating until all is smooth.  

Pour into crust and allow to sit at room temperature 30 minutes.  

Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 60 minutes.  

Allow to sit in the oven with the door open for another 30 minutes.  

Remove from the oven and run a knife around the edge.  

Allow to come to room temperature while you make the additional toppings.

To make the peanut butter topping  put whipping cream into a saucepan and heat just until bubbling at the edges.  
Turn off the heat and add peanut butter chips, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  
To make the chocolate topping put whipping cream into saucepan and heat until bubbling at the edges.  
Turn heat off, add the chocolate chips, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  
After 5 minutes stir both until smooth.  
Pour peanut butter over the top of the cheesecake, smooth to edges. 
 Refrigerate for 10 minutes.  
Pour chocolate over peanut butter and smooth into a center circle.  
Decorate as desired.
Refrigerate overnight before serving for best consistency. 

Birthday Dinner

Thought I would share some photos of my birthday dinner!  Starting with the cool designs in the butter.

Side of Mac and Cheese?  Sure, why not! 

Dessert -- after we had eaten most of it :)  Everyone deserves a tasty birthday dinner.  Where's your favorite place to celebrate a special occasion?

Happy Monday!