The other day I wasn't feeling particularly well. When most people feel sick they curl up on the couch, or in bed, and rest until they feel better. But for me, for some reason, I get the urge to cook. This usually leads to either making soup, my go to remedy for when I feel sick, or baking something so bad it's good. This is a case of the latter.
The funny thing is, in these situations, I rarely feel like eating what I've made afterwards. Well, not immediately anyway, but the act of baking, and baking something so sinful makes me feel better.
The urge started with brownies. Rich, chocolatey and indulgent. Nothing wrong with that right? Then came the decision to stuff the brownies with a chocolate bar. So off to the shop I went and quickly settled on Snickers. Although I rarely (read once every 2 years or so) indulge in a Snickers, I enjoy them when I do. I think for me it's the contrast of textures. The chewy nougat, the sticky stretchy caramel, the crunchy nuts and then the chocolate coating that melts in your hands, particularly on a hot Queensland day. Armed with an obscene amount of Snickers I headed to the counter and paid for my bounty, ignoring the looks of the shop assistant who was clearly wondering what I was doing with 10 Snickers bars.
Back home the brownies came together in a flash, thanks to my favourite, I need some chocolate sustenance in a hurry, brownie recipe courtesy of the wonderful Nigella Lawson. Batter in the pan I then smushed the Snickers into the brownie batter, wondering if Nigella would approve. She would, wouldn't she? I'm sure she would. She understands that sometimes a girl just needs a sugar fix.
Then before I put my sinful concoction in the oven I decided I needed a cheesecake topping. I'm not sure what it is about cheesecake lately, but I can't seem to get enough of it. Which is strange because once upon a time I actually didn't like cheesecake. Once the cheesecake was on top I then, finally, swirled in some chocolate through the cheesecake mix. Totally over the top, totally diet unfriendly and totally decadent all the same.
If you are on a diet these little babies will be out of the question, perhaps you can just drool over them instead, but when you want something sinful there quite frankly isn't anything better than something truly, madly and completely over the top as these brownies.
So tell me, do you think Nigella would approve?
Recipe
Snickers Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
- BROWNIE BASE:
- 200 g of dark chocolate 70% cocoa solids
- 200 g of butter
- 160 g of caster sugar
- 3 eggs beaten
- 100 g of ground almonds
- 50 g of ground hazelnuts
- 10 snickers bars
- CHEESECAKE TOPPING
- 400 g of cream cheese at room temperature
- 100 g of caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 100 g of dark chocolate melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170 degrees celsius (340 farenheit) and line a 20cm by 30cm baking tin with baking paper.
- Melt the chocolate and butter gently over a low heat in a saucepan and set aside to cool a little. Add the beaten eggs to the melted chocolate mixture, along with the ground almonds, hazelnuts and sugar mix to combine.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin. Unwrap the Snickers and smush into the batter, ensuring they are coated, but not sitting on the bottom.
- To make the cheesecake topping place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat until combined. Add the eggs and beat until smooth. Pour over the top of the brownie mixture and then drizzle with the melted chocolate, using a toothpick to create swirl patters.
- Bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until the edges of the brownie are starting to lightly crispen. Let the cheesecake brownies come to room temperature before refrigerating and cutting into squares.
Christine @ Cooking Crusade says
Ooh yum! These look very decadent and I definitely think Nigella would approve!
Thanh @ eat, little bird says
You had me at Snickers! And Nigella would absolutely approve of these decadent treats. I hope you are feeling better now 🙂
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Oh yes I think she would certainly approve of these decadent beauties!
Nic@diningwithastud says
These would make me feel better. Then worse. Haha! Sooooo good 😀
Amy @ Food Crush says
Nigella would approve for sure! Especially of your beautiful photography. 🙂
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
Your photography is amazing! I always love the swirls on the brownies, can never get them quite right when I make them myself.
Eija says
Absolutely sinful and I can't wait for a chance to make these. I think Nigella would whole heartedly approve 🙂 I hope you are felling better and by the way your wedding photos looked beautiful 🙂
The Life of Clare says
These look fantastic! I use my down time to bake also! I love it and it makes me happy!
Amy says
Nigella would most definitely approve, and insist that they be eaten whilst one reclines on the couch under a cashmere throw-rug reading volumes of the romantic poets to fortify oneself again.
Worthy of the indulgence, oh so worthy...
Carole says
Wow, they look so decadent! Will have to try very soon. 🙂
For some reason, I'm not getting email alerts for you blog anymore, so I'm signing up again.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
These brownies look absolutely divine!
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies) says
Hope you're feeling better, Jennifer. Gosh, when I'm sick the last thing I want to do is cook and you create something like this that I can't even be inspired to make when I'm feeling well? 🙂 Love it. I don't enjoy Snickers too often either but they're one of my favorites.
BTW, don't think I've congratulated you on your wedding. Congrats to you and wish you many years of wedded bliss!
Jennifer says
Hi Jean, thanks so much for the congratulations. 😀 I can't believe it was a couple of months ago now. My how time flies. 🙂
Liz says
I have been searching everywhere for a Snickers cheesecake. They are my favorite chocolate bars by far! Thanks so much for sharing. Pinning and now you have a new fan! 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I'm exhausted from the weekend in Adelaide. I ate too much. Just peeking at these exquisite brownies and now I think I might be hungry. I was determined that I'd never eat another morsel of food. 🙂
Katie says
Oh, yum! I have a feeling you just inspired thousands of people who didn't get as many trick-or-treaters as they had hoped...
Stephanie The Dessert Spoon says
Nigella would definitely approve! This looks fabulous but a little dangerous. I would have to make a half batch.
Jennifer says
Yes, they are a little dangerous in a full batch. Thankfully I am able to send left overs to my husbands workmates so I can remove temptation to eat too many. 😀
Kathryn says
Yup, I think she would approve! These look so utterly indulgent and delicious, just the kind of thing you need when you're feeling under the weather!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Just saw these on FG --- Omg. They look incredible. That cross-sectional shot of the Snickers bar is just...amazing!
Jodi says
Are the snickers bars fun size or normal size? 10 seems like a lot if they are normal size. 🙂
Jennifer says
It's 10 normal size. The recipe makes a lot of brownies as the brownie pan is 30cm by 20cm in diameter, probably enough to get 32 brownies. Feel free to halve it as necessary.
Jodi says
Thanks! Will definitely give it a go! 🙂
thelittleloaf says
Nigella would DEFINITELY approve, these look insanely delicious! Yum 🙂
Rosa says
Those brownies look so sinful and tempting! What a great idea.
Cheers,
Rosa