Gourmet Mint Brownies

There's a bit of work involved with these brownies, but every second is so worth it!  Every bite is like heaven in your mouth.  It's the perfect mixture of decadent chocolate and a mint cream cheese filling.  Simply decadent and delicious!  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

For filling:

-1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

-1/4 cup sugar

-1 egg

-1 tsp mint extract

-4 drops green food color

For brownies:

-1 cup margarine

-4 oz unsweetened chocolate, cut into pieces

-2 cups sugar

-2 tsp vanilla extract

-4 eggs

-1 cup flour

For frosting:

-2 Tbs margarine

-2 Tbs light corn syrup

-2 Tbs water

-2 oz  unsweetened chocolate, cut into pieces

-1 tsp vanilla extract

-1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven 350 F.  Coat a 9x13 pan with the baking spray. 

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar.  Beat until smooth.  Add 1 egg, mint extract and food color.  Mix well and set aside.

In a large sauce pan, melt 1 cup margarine and 4 oz chocolate.  Stir constantly until smooth and melted.  Remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes.  Pour into your mixer bowl.

Stir 2 cups sugar and 2 Tbs vanilla into the chocolate mixture.  Add 4 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Stir in the flour and mix well.  Spread in prepared pan.  Carefully spoon the reserved filling over brownie mixture.  Lightly swirl filling into brownie mixture.

Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool completely.

In a medium saucepan, combine 2 Tbs margarine, corn syrup, and water.  Bring to a boil.  Remove from heat.  Add 2 oz chocolate and stir until melted.  Add 1 tsp vanilla and powdered sugar.  Mix until smooth.  Frost over cooled brownies.  Place in the fridge for 1 hour, then cut into bars.  Store inthe fridge.  Enjoy!

Recipe slightly adapted from a Pillsbury Family Cookbook.