If you haven’t tried quinoa flour yet you might be pleasantly surprised. These chocolate cheesecake brownies are fudgy and fabulous, always getting rave reviews. Everywhere I take them people ask for the recipe.

Baking both brownies and cheesecake is a bit of an art. Unlike baking a cake or a muffin, when you insert a toothpick into a brownie it should not be dry and crumb free. To achieve the fudge-like brownie consistency everyone loves you will need to make notes and learn exactly how many minutes it takes to cook a pan of brownies in your own oven. Adjust the cooking time until they come out perfect every time.

Tips For Cooking Cheesecake

Cooking cheesecake is more about the look so it takes practise. When overcooked the cheesecake layer cracks in the oven or as it cools. When perfectly cooked the cheesecake layer should be set but not completely firm to the touch. The best way to speed up the practise, especially if you don’t bake cheesecake every week, is to use the same recipe and make a few notes until you are confident you recognize the ‘done look’.

The process of repeating the same recipe, like making it three times for Celiac Awareness Month,  is how you develop a tried and true favourite. Then you can whip up a batch of these Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies with confidence for any occasion. And then one day you will become brave enough to modify the recipe to your liking. That’s how I came up with these Mochaccino Cheesecake Brownies.

Get The Tools

Every kitchen needs a few tools and a set of two square baking pans is the most basic tool and they will last for years. You can bake so many things with just these two pans I still think it’s amazing. From granola bars to sushi pizza to Australian Lamingtons there is no end to the value of these pans. You don’t need the most expensive ones but so yourself a favour and don’t buy the cheapest ones either.

• 8-inch square carbon steel baking pan
• 8-inch square silicone baking pan
• 9-inch square stoneware baking dish

Everyday to Gourmet – Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies

Brownies can certainly be an everyday treat. As a kid eating them was a special treat but my mom always served them right out of the pan. For me some occasions just call for a little more effort. I love turning a simple brownie into a stunning dessert. Here are some ideas:

Arrange them on a pedestal tray and garnish the plate with edible flowers like I did for these Mochaccino Cheesecake Brownies.

Turn any brownie recipe, or the base portion of this recipe, into a Raspberry Brownie Ice Cream Cake for a summer party.

For a casual party presentation I like to take cut up brownies in a pizza box. Line the box with a colourful napkin, fill it with your favourite brownies and embellish as you like. Add edible flowers, have your kids colour on the box or tape a personal thank you note to the inside of the lid. This was always a favourite teacher gift of mine when my son was in grade school.

I buy empty pizza boxes at my neighbourhood pizza joint, at a craft store like Michael’s or online. Amazon has both white and brown boxes that come in packages of 50 so you might need to share that purchase with a few friends.

Let me know in the comments below if you made any of these brownies or tried any of the serving ideas.