Layers of National Deliciousness

Depending upon who you listen to, today is either Eat a Brownie Day or Cream Cheese Brownie Day. What’s the difference you ask?

Eat a Brownie doesn’t specify what kind of brownie, or if you even have to bake it. All that is require is that you take a bite from a brownie – it doesn’t even need to be yours! Cream Cheese Brownie Day on the other hand is a particular kind of brownie – sort of. It could be a brownie with Cream Cheese Frosting or a swirled brownie with cream cheese in the batter or any combination of brownie and cream cheese. Both days are open to interpretation and equally delicious.

While searching for a recipe to share, I came across this amazing Brownie Recipe at Taste of Home. It comes from Muriel Ledeboer of Oostburg, Wisconsin. And it looks amazing! Any way you slice it, welcome to Brownie Day.

Taste of Home Layered Brownie
Walnut Brownie Layer
1 cup Butter, softened
2 cups Sugar
4 large Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1-1/2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Baking Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 cup chopped Walnuts

Heat oven to 350-degrees. Grease a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish. Set aside. Place a mixing bowl in the freezer to chill.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 6 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Set aside.

In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder; add to creamed mixture just until moistened. Chop nuts, fold into the batter.

Pour batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for about 20 minutes, just until a tester inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Place on a wire rack, cool completely.

Cream Cheese Layer
11 oz Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups Powdered Sugar
2 cups Cool Whip Topping

While the brownie cools, let cream cheese soften on the counter.

Place softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Sift powdered sugar over the cheese. Beat together until smooth. Fold in whipped topping; spread over the cooled brownie.

Chocolate Fudge Layer
2 cups cold Milk
1 (3.9 oz) box Instant Chocolate Fudge Pudding Mix

In a large chilled bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix 2 minutes. Let stand until soft-set, about 2 minutes. Spread pudding over filling layer. Refrigerate at least an hour before serving.

Finishing Touches
1 cup Cool Whip Topping
1 cup Chopped Walnuts

To serve, cut into squares; garnish with a dollop of whipped topping and chopped walnuts.

Original Recipe: Layered Brownie Dessert