Brownies

How to Make

• Step 1: For the brownies: preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

• Step 2: Butter sides of a 9-inch square baking pan. Fold a 18 x 12 inch piece of foil in half cross-wise. Line pan with the foil, allowing foil to extend over two sides. Butter foil. Dust pan and foil with flour and tapping out the excess.

• Step 3: In a saucepan melt the unsweetened chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

• Step 4: In a small bowl sift together the dry ingredients (flour - salt).

• Step 5: Place the coffee powder in a large bowl of and electric mixer; add water and stir to dissolve. Add the eggs and sugar and beat with an electric mixer until pale yellow and slowly dissolving ribbon forms when beaters are lifted. Fold in melted chocolate and then the dry ingredients. Stir in nuts and raisins.

• Step 6: Spread batter in prepared pan.

• Step 7: Bake for 35 - 40 minutes or until top is dry and cracked and when toothpick is inserted in center it comes out with some wet batter still attached (it will not be totally clean). Transfer to a rack. Gently press down on any raised edges to flatten. Maintain room temperature while making the topping.

• Step 8: To make the topping: using a double boiler melt semisweet chocolate over simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remover top pan from the water.

• Step 9: In a food processor blend the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the warm chocolate and blend well. Add egg and blend until combined. Pour topping over the hot brownie (which is still in the pan) and bake for 10 minutes or until topping moves just slightly in the center when shaken. Cool completely and refrigerate overnight.

• Step 10: Lift brownies from pan using the foil sides as an aid. Fold down the foil sides and cut into squares to serve.