Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies

Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies
BROWNIE LAYER
2 large eggs, beaten until frothy
1/2 cup butter or hard margarine
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated (white) sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose (plain) flour
dash salt
CHEESECAKE LAYER
4 ounces (125 grams) cream cheese, softened (that's half a block)
1 large egg
1/2 cup granulated (white) sugar
1/8 cup (2 Tablespoons) all-purpose (plain) flour
3/4 cup fresh, ripe strawberries with juices, diced and lightly sweetened

Preheat oven to 350◦F. Grease an 8x8 inch square pan or line with parchment paper.
BROWNIE LAYER: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and stir in the cocoa. Add the remaining brownie ingredients to the eggs, then pour the cocoa mixture over and stir all together. Spread 2/3 of this mixture into prepared pan.
CHEESECAKE LAYER: In a medium-sized bowl, beat the cream cheese with the egg until smooth. Add the sugar gradually, then add the flour. Stir in the strawberries. Pour over brownie layer in pan. 
Put remaining brownie mixture over this layer in small spoonfuls. Use a knife to swirl these two layers together. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until cheesecake layer is almost set. Cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating. 

Cream cheese swirl brownies are quite popular. They make a good change from the usual brownies, or a different type of cheesecake. The recipe I followed called for maraschino cherries in the cream cheese filling. Since it is strawberry season, I decided to try strawberries. Also, it was difficult to find a recipe for strawberry chocolate cheesecake, they are usually just used as a garnish. The original recipe called for only 1/2 cup of cut-up, well-drained cherries, but I used more strawberries and left the juices in. This might be why the squares are a bit soft, but it is cheesecake after all. This recipe uses my basic, go-to brownie recipe that I love, and it is so easy. Then it adds a simple little cream cheese layer, and some fruit. Quite easy to make, and they look quite pretty, all swirled with white, chocolate, and pink.