spring treats #1: Sinful Brownies

is it spring yet?

it certainly doesn't feel like it,

but i am more than ready for some warm weather.

i can't stop thinking about it!

so i labeled these treats as spring ones because it's march and it's just never to early to be dreaming about spring.

for those of you who have been reading our blog for a while, you know my obsession with Picky Palate. This lady can take a brownie mix and turn it into a masterpiece.

you also know that i'm not a huge cake/brownie mix person. 

last friday we had some friends over for dinner and while I had a great meal planned, i had not even thought about dessert. the thought hadn't even crossed my mind!

around 5:00 i realized that I really should make... something.

so of course i turned to my dessert/brownie guru, Jenny from Picky Palate, and she gave me a great answer.

Peanut Butter Cup & Cheesecake Swirled Marshmallow Brownies.

if you haven't died and gone to heaven yet, just wait till you read the recipe.

the brownies, a plain brownie mix, can be dull and boring (and it's not real baking, it's using a whisk and adding eggs and oil. it doesn't count!). 

but once you swirl in a peanut butter cheesecake batter, chocolate chips, and layer on the peanut butter cups, marshmallows, more chocolate chips, and drizzle with chocolate sauce and peanut butter. we're in business! woah baby. 

Peanut Butter Cup Puffed Cheesecake Brownies

adapted by Picky Palate

1 brownie mix, along with ingredients as directed on back of package (usually canola/vegetable oil, water, and some eggs)
8 oz (1 pkg) softened cream cheese
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

2 c. mini marshmallows
12 regular size Reeses Peanut Butter cups, cut into cubes (or 24 mini cups)
1 c. chocolate chips
1/4 Cup creamy peanut butter, melted in microwave to drizzle

1/2 c. chocolate chips, melted in microwave to drizzle.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place brownie mix and ingredients on back of box as directed (eggs, oil, water) into a large mixing bowl. Mix until combined and pour into a greased 9×13 inch dish. In a separate bowl mix together the cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth. Drop by the Tablespoonfuls evenly over the brownie batter. Take a knife or toothpick and swirl the cheese mixture through the brownie batter. Bake for 30-32 minutes or until cooked through.

Once the brownies are just about cooked, with about 2 minutes left, sprinkle marshmallows, Reeses cups and chocolate chips over brownies. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed slightly. Remove and cool completely before cutting. While brownies are cooling, drizzle melted peanut butter over bars.

once the brownies are cooled, cut and enjoy. :)