Brownie baked vanilla cheesecake

Recipe from Chef Shane Smith.

The marriage of rich brownie and creamy baked vanilla cheesecake is a match made in heaven. This is a gorgeous Summer BBQ dessert with a twist!”

INGREDIENTS

(Serves 8-10)

For the Brownie base

110g butter

200g dark chocolate

100g caster sugar

Two medium eggs

95g plain flour

15g unsweetened cocoa powder

A pinch of salt

For the Vanilla Cheesecake

440g cream cheese

80g caster sugar

Two medium eggs

Dash vanilla essence

150ml cream to garnish (optional)

Eight strawberries to garnish (optional)

METHOD

Preheat your oven to 180C/160C fan.

Line the base and sides of a 9” round loose bottom baking tin with parchment paper and set aside.

For the brownie, add the chocolate and butter to a bowl and set over a pot of gently simmer water. Use can also use the microwave.

Once melted and combined, set aside to cool slightly.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar.

Add the melted chocolate mixture and combine.

Finally sieve in the flour, salt and cocoa powder and mix.

Spoon this batter into the base of the lined tin. Holding back one tablespoon of brownie mix. Set aside.

To make the cheesecake layer, in a bowl, mix the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.

To this add the eggs and mix until combined.

Pour the cheesecake mix on top of the uncooked brownie layer.

Mix the reserved brownie mix with a tablespoon of water and drizzle this over the cheesecake layer and using the back of a knife, pull through the mix to create a marble design.

Place into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

The edges should take on a light brown colour but the centre will still have a wobble. That’s ok as it will firm up as it cools.

Allow to cool for 20 minutes before placing in the fridge for a minimum of three hours, preferably overnight.

Once cool, you can slice and serve as is. For an added touch, I whipped cream and piped eight rosettes on top and placed a fresh strawberry on each one. This is optional but adds a gorgeous pop of colour and flavour.

ABOUT THE CHEF

Shane Smith from Lavey runs his own Online Cookery School and you can check out a list of his classes below or online at:

- www.chefshanesmith.ie -

Gift vouchers also available.