Cappuccino Brownies = YUM!

My family came over Sunday afternoon to help Matt finish putting tin on the shed outside (the men, anyways).  Nikki, Harley, and Mom came to have coffee with me and visit and make a delicious supper.

We always like to make a big, delicious meal when we all get together.  Sunday, we made chow mein and I made these delicious brownies for dessert.  They were very well-received.

I found the recipe in a taste of home magazine; however, the original recipe called for bittersweet chocolate, and since I didn't have any, I used an old brownie recipe that I like, and adapted it to make it coffee-flavored.  It turned out really well.

Here's the recipe:

Cappuccino Brownies

 1 tsp. coffee crystals (more if you like lots of coffee flavoring)
1 c. water
1/3 c. oil
1/2 c. butter
3 T. heaping cocoa
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped walnuts

Boil first 5 ingredients for 1 minute.  Combine flour, salt, and sugar.  Pour cocoa mixture over this. Add remaining ingredients.  Bake 20 minutes at 325 degrees in a greased and floured jelly roll pan. 

*Note:  I made my brownies this way.....this recipe makes it so the brownies completely fill the jelly roll pan, so when you pour the chocolate on top at the end, it would run over the side; therefore, to avoid this, I put most of my batter in the jelly roll pan, then put a little extra in a greased and floured 8x8 pan.  Then, after the brownies were cooled (in the jelly roll pan), I cut them in half so I could make a layered brownie;  this would solve my chocolate-running-over-the-edge problem.  Next time, though, I think I'll use my big glass 15x11 pan and make one thicker brownie.  It's your choice, though; just wanted to let you know your options. :)

Allow the bars to cool.

Mix:
1 pkg. (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
6 TBSP. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat cream cheese and butter until blended. Add the rest of the ingredients.  Spread over cooled bars. 

*Like I said above, I cut my jelly roll pan of brownies in half, so I spread this between my layers.  Then I stacked the other brownie section on top.

Top with:
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. milk
1 tsp. coffee crystals
1 c. sugar

Combine ingredients and boil 30 seconds.  Remove from heat.  Add 1/2 c. chocolate chips.  Mix until melted and pour over bars.  Enjoy with a fresh cup of coffee!