Chocolate-Cheesecake Brownies

Chocolate Brownie Layer

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 3 oz . chocolate
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup flour

Heat oven to 325°. Grease a 8 inch square baking pan. Melt butter in a small sauce pan; remove from heat and add chocolate. Let stand, stirring several times till chocolate is melted.

With the electric mixer, beat eggs and salt until frothy. Add granulated sugar; beat about 2 minutes until pale yellow and thick. Stir in chocolate mixture, then flour, mixing to blend. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Set aside.

Cheesecake Layer

• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

With electric mixer, beat creamed cheese, sugar and eggs until smooth. Blend in flour then water and vanilla. Pour cheesecake mixture over brownie base.

Bake 30-40 min, until top is set but not browned. A toothpick inserted in the center will come our slightly sticky. (Don't over bake, or brownies will be dry.) Remove pan; place on rack to cool completely. Cut into 2 inch squares. Nana's Tip: Use a wet knife to make cutting this treat easier.

Hershey's Cocoa Butter Frosting

• 6 tablespoons butter melted and cooled
• 1 package (1 pound) powdered sugar sifted with 6 tablespoons
• Hershey's Cocoa
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 to 6 tablespoons milk

In a medium bowl, add sifted powdered sugar and cocoa. Blend in cooled melted butter; add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach a spreading consistency; add vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy.

Spread frosting on first layer of cake, add second layer and spread frosting around the side of the cake. Make sure you save enough frosting for a generous topping of frosting to the top of the cake. Nana's Tip: To measure milk by the tablespoon, pour a small amount of milk into a small bowl then take 1 tablespoon at a time from the bowl, adding it to the sugar and cocoa mixture.

"Chocolate Fruit Cake "

Soak in 1/4 cup of brandy overnight:

• 1 cup currants
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup candied fruit

Sift together:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 2 tablespoons chocolate

In a large bowl mix together:

• 1 egg
• soaked fruit
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup melted margarine or oil
• 1/2 cup strong warm coffee or brandy*

Mix all ingredients together. Bake in well greased loaf pan at 300° for 1 1/2 hours. Let stand for about 1 hour and brush top with brandy. When completely cooled, remove from pan. Wrap in foil and store in refrigerator. *Nana's Tip: Try using 1/4 cup coffee and 1/4 cup brandy.