Oreo Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

Brownie? Yes. Cream cheese? Yes. Oreos? Yes. All 3 in one deliciousl dessert??? YES YES YES!!! Do these brownies really need an explanation. They taste like a cross between fudge, brownies, and cheesecake to me. They are definitely rich and indulgent, and a small piece goes a LONG way. I promise. If you are a chocolate lover, you will NOT be disappointed by these. And, on the upside, I have been focusing and trying to make my pictures more appetizing when I have the chance and good natural light. What do y'all think of these? ;) Enjoy!!

INGREDIENTS:
8 tbsp. unsalted butter
¾ cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
½ tsp. salt
2 large eggs
¼ cup milk
1½ cups coarsely chopped Oreo cookies
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup confectioners’ sugar
1½ tsp. vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.  Line an 8×8″ baking pan with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and sugar.  Bring to a boil, whisking frequently.  Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder and salt; whisk together to combine.  Add the eggs to the pan with the butter-sugar mixture and whisk until well blended.  Whisk in the milk.  Transfer the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated.  Fold in the Oreo cookie pieces.  Spread the batter into the prepared pan.

To make the cream cheese mixture, combine the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer.  Beat on medium-high speed until well-blended and smooth.   Drop the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter in dollops.  Use the blade of a knife to gently swirl the cream cheese mixture together with the brownie batter, creating a marble effect.

Bake for about 22-24 minutes.  Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing and serving.

Source: adapted from Annie's Eats and Sugar Plum