1 part Paula + 1 part Martha = success. Trust me on this one.
I was looking through my cookbooks to find something easy to make that could make a grown man cry. Not just any grown man…specifically, hotties. That’s right. I am FINALLY getting around to making a yummy-in-my-tummy treat for our fire-fighting heroes. And I wanna make them bawl, roll into the fetal position and ask for a bah-bah.
Enter Paula. I have one of her cookbooks and she gave me a brilliant idea. One regular box of brownie mix and add a layer of her cheesecakey goodness and WAHLA! You end up with one batch of tear-inducing weepamatics.
Here is my modified recipe for the cheesecake layer –
- 1 thingie creamcheese
- 1 stick o butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 Tbl flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup pecan pieces
So throw your normal brownie mix in a pan but keep some for drizzling. Then layer the cheesecake mixture on top (I ran a knife tip around for those psychedelic swirls – totally tubular!) and then drizzle the rest of the brownie mix. Cook according to your box.
And then you end up with a dessert of champions. Are you drooling? Are you crying? Are you swearing up and down that your skinny jeans are not worth it. Yeah. me too. Except I don’t own skinny jeans. I only own fat jeans and really fat jeans. But these cheese-cake-brownies would make every single pushup, crunch, and lunge worth it.
Wait. I should be honest…God judges me for lying on the blog too. I do not do pushups. Crunches only exist in my world as the sound of a potato chip loaded with Dean’s dip being shoved in my pie hole. And the only lunge I do is the one I perform to stretch my fat jeans out in the upper thigh.
And what can make a treat for hotties look a little hotter? A perfect package. Enter Martha.
After Christmas I scored some festive treat boxes on clearance – 90% off! So this package of 6 treat boxes was only $1.50! Remember how I told ya to stock up after holidays? Yeah – this is that word of advice in action. I knew that I would be gifting edible goodies all year round, so buying these boxes was a cheap way to make our hometown heroes feel like they are loved.
The best part about these Stewart craft packages is that it came with everything. The inner boxes to hold the scrumdiliumptiousness, the outter decorative sleeve, the tissue paper, the ribbon and even a little sticker for a finishing touch. And although they are red (coughchristmasycough) I figure that they aren’t too riddled with holiday spirit that they can’t be used in May. Afterall, firemen are used to the redhot…heehee!
I truly love the scalloped border on the inner box and the polka dots. Even the white design on bold red looks rich and shmancy. Like the surprise inside actually hails from an expensive pastry shop instead of a kitchen in redneckville. (BTW – all Martha Crafts are 25% off at Michael’s for three more days! Yipee!)
And speaking of goodlooking packaging, my boyfriend said that the cheese cake brownies were delicious tasting but the box made them look delicious. Maybe I should send this with a box of tissues too.
So now that you know what I am doing to bring a little love to our community crew – I wanna hear about what you do to show the peeps in your town how much you care. Do you spoil the po-po? Do you treat the old folks? Do you take Beggin Strips down to the dog park? (how did the topic go to bacon?!? weird.) Whatever it is that you give, whether it be a chocolate explosion, or a few hours at the hospital, or even a sweet snail mail note – I want all the juicy details. After all, hearing that there are still acts of kindness going on in the world makes me so happy I will probably need a whole box of Kleenex.
that’s a “sweet” lookin’ package and really a sweet thing to do for the hotties!! 🙂
suzanne
that’s a “sweet” lookin’ package and really a sweet thing to do for the hotties!! 🙂
suzanne
My husband is a firefighter, and I have to say that I might be a little jealous if another girl left such delicious brownies in such fabulous packaging for him and his buddies!! No seriously though, that is a kind gesture and got me thinking about how I can do a “random act of kindness” (and how I can make those brownies and snag some adorable packaging….)
My husband is a firefighter, and I have to say that I might be a little jealous if another girl left such delicious brownies in such fabulous packaging for him and his buddies!! No seriously though, that is a kind gesture and got me thinking about how I can do a “random act of kindness” (and how I can make those brownies and snag some adorable packaging….)
I paid full price for those boxes -http://preppynonsense.blogspot.com/2008/11/cookies-in-cute-packaging.html
They are just that fancy. I’m way jealous you got them for $1.50 though!
I paid full price for those boxes -http://preppynonsense.blogspot.com/2008/11/cookies-in-cute-packaging.html
They are just that fancy. I’m way jealous you got them for $1.50 though!
Those are making me drool right now. Love it!
Those are making me drool right now. Love it!
I especially love that you AND the boyfriend/husband (by default) addressed the box to “The Hotties”. That truly sealed the deal. My husband is bummed about some salary cuts @ the job, so he might just enjoy this scrumptious delight…thanks for the post lady! Consider yourself a double do-gooder after I cheer up this sad boy in North Cackalacky 🙂
I especially love that you AND the boyfriend/husband (by default) addressed the box to “The Hotties”. That truly sealed the deal. My husband is bummed about some salary cuts @ the job, so he might just enjoy this scrumptious delight…thanks for the post lady! Consider yourself a double do-gooder after I cheer up this sad boy in North Cackalacky 🙂
They look DEEE-lish. Definitely makes me think about my measly “bring in your favorite tea” to church for the cafe. Way to go!
They look DEEE-lish. Definitely makes me think about my measly “bring in your favorite tea” to church for the cafe. Way to go!
How in the world can you make a recipe post be hilarious? My favorite part – “To: Hotties” I bet they love that. I’ll bet they love a real hottie stopping by to drop them off.
How in the world can you make a recipe post be hilarious? My favorite part – “To: Hotties” I bet they love that. I’ll bet they love a real hottie stopping by to drop them off.
They look fabulous and I can just imagine how good they taste. Good on you for taking the time to do such a sweet thing for the hotties.
My community contribution at the moment is to help a lovely family out twice a week with their newborn triplets! Hardly a sacrifice, those babies are divine and I love to think that their wonderful Mum is getting help in any way that I can give it.
Maybe I can make her some of those brownies to have with a cup of tea next time I go over.
They look fabulous and I can just imagine how good they taste. Good on you for taking the time to do such a sweet thing for the hotties.
My community contribution at the moment is to help a lovely family out twice a week with their newborn triplets! Hardly a sacrifice, those babies are divine and I love to think that their wonderful Mum is getting help in any way that I can give it.
Maybe I can make her some of those brownies to have with a cup of tea next time I go over.
Does buying pencils for my students count??? 🙂 It’s amazing that even high school boys will get excited to get a pink heart pencil for Valentine’s day! 🙂
Does buying pencils for my students count??? 🙂 It’s amazing that even high school boys will get excited to get a pink heart pencil for Valentine’s day! 🙂
I’m married to the po-po, well at least one of them. haha! He gets his fair share of love. 😉
But in all seriousness, that is really nice of you. It is too often they get unfounded complaints instead of nice gestures such as this. Bravo!
I’m married to the po-po, well at least one of them. haha! He gets his fair share of love. 😉
But in all seriousness, that is really nice of you. It is too often they get unfounded complaints instead of nice gestures such as this. Bravo!
OMG, I’m dying over the to/from tag. Love it. My mom always made cheesecake brownies – from a cheesecake brownie mix. My juvenile tastebuds didn’t appreciate them, but 10 years later I’m thinking they look fabulous.
We do nothing for the people in our town. I don’t even know where the fire station is. Does that make me a bad person?
OMG, I’m dying over the to/from tag. Love it. My mom always made cheesecake brownies – from a cheesecake brownie mix. My juvenile tastebuds didn’t appreciate them, but 10 years later I’m thinking they look fabulous.
We do nothing for the people in our town. I don’t even know where the fire station is. Does that make me a bad person?
You are hilarious! You have inspired me to give back with such a sweet treat. I am also really glad to hear that you don’t own skinny jeans…me either, its fat and fatter for this chick!
You are hilarious! You have inspired me to give back with such a sweet treat. I am also really glad to hear that you don’t own skinny jeans…me either, its fat and fatter for this chick!
DAM! Just what i need. I made a fudge pie, actually two today plus some other good cookin and I feel uhhhhhhhhhh. But I will be makin this. I love “browns”….and I own several skinny jeans…long top!
DAM! Just what i need. I made a fudge pie, actually two today plus some other good cookin and I feel uhhhhhhhhhh. But I will be makin this. I love “browns”….and I own several skinny jeans…long top!
Mrs. Thompson & Melissa – one word to you and your family….THANKS! I can't express how much I appreciate the fine men & women who sacrifice so much to protect us! You guys are my hero!
Hi Emma – what a bummer! I truly hope that these cheesecake brownies perk up your hubbies bad day. If anything he will have a little caffeine and sugar rush…so that's fun 🙂
Hey Mary, Waverider & Julie – You go girls! No matter how small the act of kindness, the key is to put a smile on someone's face. You get one million points a piece!
XO – Katie
Mrs. Thompson & Melissa – one word to you and your family….THANKS! I can't express how much I appreciate the fine men & women who sacrifice so much to protect us! You guys are my hero!
Hi Emma – what a bummer! I truly hope that these cheesecake brownies perk up your hubbies bad day. If anything he will have a little caffeine and sugar rush…so that's fun 🙂
Hey Mary, Waverider & Julie – You go girls! No matter how small the act of kindness, the key is to put a smile on someone's face. You get one million points a piece!
XO – Katie
Those look awesome! As you already know, I often send baked goods down to the police station with DH. But not lately – I’m back on Weight Watchers so no baking in this house! It’s too tempting and I’m just not strong enough to resist.
Those look awesome! As you already know, I often send baked goods down to the police station with DH. But not lately – I’m back on Weight Watchers so no baking in this house! It’s too tempting and I’m just not strong enough to resist.
They look great!! Good on you for getting around to this “goal!” YAY KATIE!!
They look great!! Good on you for getting around to this “goal!” YAY KATIE!!
Well look at your taking care of the hotties! Those look yummy and the packaging is adorable…red hot, like the hotties!
Well look at your taking care of the hotties! Those look yummy and the packaging is adorable…red hot, like the hotties!
These are too cute! I love your sense of humor and honesty, for reals. And what a sweet gesture for the tight boys in red (or yellow, think the ones in DC where yellow uniforms). Right now I can only get around to writing a sweet little old lady in Hereford, TX once a week but you have inspired me to do more. I’m with the other chick, got to have skinny jeans but with a nice billowy top- solves everything.
These are too cute! I love your sense of humor and honesty, for reals. And what a sweet gesture for the tight boys in red (or yellow, think the ones in DC where yellow uniforms). Right now I can only get around to writing a sweet little old lady in Hereford, TX once a week but you have inspired me to do more. I’m with the other chick, got to have skinny jeans but with a nice billowy top- solves everything.
Your humor makes me laugh every. time. I love that you can be bacon into just about any post.
Your humor makes me laugh every. time. I love that you can be bacon into just about any post.
My hubs is a po-po, and he gets all kinds of sweet treats. BUT, I’ve been thinking of sending something delish to our volunteer fire department, who arrived first last year when I was having trouble breathing. They immediately put me at ease and got things under control. Three cheers for po-po and fire hotties!
My hubs is a po-po, and he gets all kinds of sweet treats. BUT, I’ve been thinking of sending something delish to our volunteer fire department, who arrived first last year when I was having trouble breathing. They immediately put me at ease and got things under control. Three cheers for po-po and fire hotties!
After looking at those delicious cheesecake brownies, my humble offerings to my local librarians look puny! They always seem to enjoy homegrown veggies from our garden as well as cookies at Christmas and I so appreciate them. As they say, it is more blessed to give…
After looking at those delicious cheesecake brownies, my humble offerings to my local librarians look puny! They always seem to enjoy homegrown veggies from our garden as well as cookies at Christmas and I so appreciate them. As they say, it is more blessed to give…
Hi Erin – you give your po-po hubbie a high five for me. You guys are my hero!
My goodness Donna! What a great idea! I love the thought of treating your local librarians…and with veggies & cookies! Man…does your town need a new library lady? because I could be available if homegrown goodness is included!
XO – Katie
Hi Erin – you give your po-po hubbie a high five for me. You guys are my hero!
My goodness Donna! What a great idea! I love the thought of treating your local librarians…and with veggies & cookies! Man…does your town need a new library lady? because I could be available if homegrown goodness is included!
XO – Katie
AWESOME! Those look darn good. I am not sure I could give them away like you . . .
AWESOME! Those look darn good. I am not sure I could give them away like you . . .
i could eat that entire thing alone 🙂 Mmmmmmmmmmmmm! thanks for sharing. i will be making this soon!
i could eat that entire thing alone 🙂 Mmmmmmmmmmmmm! thanks for sharing. i will be making this soon!
You’re hilarious…and these look darn good! I just got out everything to make them when I realized that my cream cheese was more green than white. Probably not suitable for a family picnic and definitely not for our hottie heros, right? Thanks for the recipe…I’ll be making them when I return from the store!
You’re hilarious…and these look darn good! I just got out everything to make them when I realized that my cream cheese was more green than white. Probably not suitable for a family picnic and definitely not for our hottie heros, right? Thanks for the recipe…I’ll be making them when I return from the store!
Hi Lindsey!
Yum – green cream cheese…you shoulda opened that sucker up and started your own science experiment! You could call it “CREAM CHEESE COLOR COUNT”. I would totally play that game.
XO – Katie
Hi Lindsey!
Yum – green cream cheese…you shoulda opened that sucker up and started your own science experiment! You could call it “CREAM CHEESE COLOR COUNT”. I would totally play that game.
XO – Katie
I had a party Saturday and served these brownies for dessert. There were a huge hit. Everyone from my young neice to my parents loved them. Thanks!
Linda
Yay! So glad that you got to use this recipe! The best part about them is that they sound REALLY complicated (well, cheesecake generally is hard in my book!) but they are oh-so-easy! Thanks Linda for letting me know that they worked out well 🙂
XO – Katie
With those pecan pieces in it, i can’t help but feel sorry for the nut allergy stricken firemen! i hope they got something too 😛
Just found your blog from Young House Love and I have been stalking you for a few days. Love your blog! My husband and I are youth pastors and I usually make something sweet for our group every week. I tried these last night and the room was silent when they dug in. That my friend is a hard task with teenagers. Thanks again!!
I just made these last night for my husband’s work party and they won best dessert! So, SO easy to do…only hard part is to stop yourself from licking both batters…and the pecans added a nice extra yumminess!
very pretty! i was wondering though the need for so much butter, eggs, and sugar in the cheesecake layer though.
I’m a nutrition student mind if try tweaking this to retain flavor but reduce fat and then sharing it with you? It’s a combination I love and I just completed a food science course where we modified recipes. I love this dish and am making it my mission to make it healthier to be able to enjoy it more often. Would like the recipe when I’m finished?
Sure Laura!
My old coworkers always acted as my taste-testers for my cooking…and one friend always loved to modify the recipes to make them healthier for her obese son. It would be great if you put the ‘lighter’ recipe here in the comment section for everyone to see!
XO – Katie
WOW! These look amazing! I am bringing a dessert to a baby shower this weekend and now I’ve found it. Super simple, thanks for sharing! Any thoughts on using food coloring in the cheesecake mixture? Does it change anything important?
Go for it! It might change the appeal of the dish but the flavor will change any naysayer’s minds 🙂
xo – kb