Brownie Delight

Kaarin's Note:

This is my husband's absolute favorite dessert! These brownies are topped with 3 fluffy layers of cheesecake, pudding and cool whip, and it goes together quicker than most. This will fill a 9x13 pan to the top, but that size pan makes good thick layers so I use it anyway. The recipe is adapted from TOH Quick Cooking.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 18

• 1 cup shortening
• 9 tablespoons cocoa or 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 11 ounces cream cheese , softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 (12 ounce) carton frozen whipped topping , thawed, divided
• 2 cups milk , cold
• 1 (4 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
• ½ cup pecans , chopped (optional)

Directions:

1. Melt shortening and chocolate or cocoa in microwave and transfer to mixing bowl.
2. Blend in sugar, eggs and vanilla.
3. Add flour, salt and baking powder.
4. Pour into a 9x13 pan, with bottom only greased.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.
6. Cool completely.
7. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar till smooth and light.
8. Fold in 2 cups of whipped topping.
9. Spread over brownies.
10. In another bowl, combine milk and pudding mix.
11. Whisk till smooth and thickening.
12. Refrigerate 5 minutes, then spread over cream cheese layer.
13. Top with remaining whipped topping.
14. Sprinkle with pecans if desired.
15. Keep refrigerated.

Reviews

[Chef KLC]

This was very good. I made this for a work birthday and everyone loved it. I added some mini chocolate chips to the top. Thanks!

[Chef #185245]

I made this desert last night for a dinner party and it is EXCELLENT! I received tons of compliments and everyone wanted the recipe! I modified the recipe by adding chocolate chips to the brownie mixture. I also added the chocolate chips on the top layer of whipped cream. I definitely recommend this recipe - it is delicious!

[Daniel M]

My girlfriend loved these! They were easy to make and didn't take too long. I used cinnamon flavored confectioners' sugar and the cheesecake tasted wonderful!