These decadent bars are brownie-like and hit all the sweet spots. This recipe and photo are from Foodland Ontario, foodlandontario.ca, will inspire you to incorporate fresh strawberries into a variety of meals. Enjoy!
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Baking Time: 25 to 30 minutes
Makes 18 bars
Strawberry Swirl:
2 cups (500 mL) quartered Ontario greenhouse strawberries (340 g pkg)
2 tbsp (25 mL) granulated sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh lemon juice
Cream Cheese Batter:
1 pkg (250 g) brick cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup (75 mL) granulated sugar
1 large Ontario egg
Chocolate Batter:
1 bar (100 g) dark chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup (50 mL) boiling water
1-3/4 cups (425 mL) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (50 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
2 large Ontario eggs
3/4 cup (175 mL) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) vegetable oil
1/2 cup (125 mL) each Ontario milk and 18% Ontario sour cream
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
Softened butter
Strawberry Swirl: In medium bowl, combine strawberries, sugar and lemon juice. Let stand for15 minutes, until strawberries start to release juices.
Cream Cheese Batter: Meanwhile, in medium bowl, using electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, sugar and egg until smooth. Set aside.
Chocolate Batter: In small heatproof bowl, stir chocolate and boiling water until chocolate is melted; set aside.
In small bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; set aside.
In large bowl, using electric mixer on low speed, beat eggs, sugar, oil, milk, sour cream and vanilla until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate and dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly.
Grease 10 x 15-inch (25 x 38 cm) jelly roll pan with butter. Spread chocolate batter evenly into pan. Dollop with cream cheese mixture and top with spoonfuls of strawberries. Using butter knife or skewer, swirl mixture in figure-eight pattern.
Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until cake starts to pull away from the side and toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool in pan on wire rack.
Nutritional Information:
1 bar
PROTEIN: 4 grams
FAT: 15 grams
CARBOHYDRATE: 29 grams
CALORIES: 266
FIBRE: 1 gram
SODIUM: 125 mg
