Recipe: Brownies with Peanut Butter Chips and Brownie Frosting (using cream cheese)

BROWNIES WITH PEANUT BUTTER CHIPS

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powdered
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 2/3 cups (one 10 ounce package) peanut butter chips
Brownie Frosting (optional, recipe follows)

Heat oven to 325 degree F. Grease bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

Beat butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla; set aside.

Combine flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well.

Stir in chips. Spread batter in prepared pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or just until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely.

Frost with Brownie Frosting, if desired. Cut into bars.

BROWNIE FROSTING
Makes about 1 cup

3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Beat butter and cocoa powder until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla alternately with milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add more powdered sugar or milk as needed for consistency.

Makes about 36 brownies
From: From: KellyWA - 12-19-99