Tuesdays with Dorie: {Faux} Espresso Cheesecake Brownies {Catch-up}

I've made my fare share of brownies from the cookbook, Baking from My Home to Yours. I've tried my hand at classic brownies, quintuple chocolate brownies, honey-nut brownies, white chocolate brownies, brownie buttons, chipster-topped brownies, caramel-peanut topped brownies cake, brrr-ownies, cherry fudge brownie torte; and some special brownies made after people in Dorie's (the cookbook author) life: Tribute to Katherine Hepburn Brownies and Rick Katz's Brownies for Juila (Child). I have yet to post the remaining bittersweet brownie recipe from the cookbook. I've also tried my hand at some really special brownie recipes outside of this cookbook like Chewy Brownies from Cook's Illustrated and Peppermint Bark Brownies by one of my favorite food bloggers.

I love brownies. I love the process. I love that most brownie recipes only require a few bowls and whisk. It ties me back to bakers of old. I love the array of brownies in this cookbook. It's hard to pick a favorite since they all have their own spin. Each time I try a new brownie recipe I think I've found my favorite. Right now I'm loving on the {Faux} Espresso Cheesecake Brownie recipe. I say faux because I replaced the espresso with my go-to coffee/espresso substitute Perro. I'm sure it yields a different flavor than the real thing, but it works for me.

You've got to make these Espresso Cheesecake Brownies. They are loaded with great flavor, texture and three layers of bliss. You start out with a traditional brownie layer made with your favorite bittersweet chocolate. Next up is the cheesecake layer. It's nice tangy cheesecake as it's made with sour cream instead of heavy cream. This is also the layer where you incorporate the espresso powder. Last up is the topping. This is truly what puts the dessert over-the-top, pun intended. You even get to give the two batters a swirl. Resist going to far with this--minimal swirl means optimal flavor distinction.

The hardest part of this Espresso Cheesecake Brownie recipe is waiting for it to chill. I absolutely loved it and so did everyone that I brought these to. It's made in a 9-inch square pan so it doesn't make too may--perfect for a small gathering of friends. I found these brownies felt very different than any other recipe of Dorie's in this book. In a great way! You'll know what I mean if you've baked a lot of her recipes. You've got to try it. Cheesecake and Brownie lovers unite!

Espresso Cheesecake Brownies were originally baked and posted by the Tuesdays with Dorie group on September 1, 2009. You can find the recipe on on this blog.

Wondering what all this Tuesdays with Dorie stuff is? Read this post. This month the group is posting two recipes each Tuesday to make sure we finish the cookbook before the end of the year. I'm taking it a bit further and posting two posts per day to catch up on all my make-up baking adventures. I call it #HELLmonth. Wish me luck.

PS: My Project Domestication Facebook page is up.