For Steves on this Father’s Day, I opted for one of his favorite combinations: a chocolatey cheesecake. I made a Chocolate Cheesecake Brownie, and because he’s so stylish, I cut the brownies into neckties and bowties. Oh, and check out Gavin’s fun short list of the many reasons he loves his dad.

Dad Gratitude. Five Things I Love About My Dad

by Gavin Rodriguez, age 11

1. I love how we wear matching Colombian hats. (see photo above)
2. You’re the ping pong master! Thanks for teaching me how to put killer backspin on the ball.
3. Go Dodgers! I love that you take me instead of Mom to Dodger games.
4. For the school poetry contest, you taught me how to recite my poem with voice inflection.
5. Thanks for the style! You gave me a love for cool socks and Tom’s shoes.

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE BROWNIES

The Chocolate Cheesecake Brownie recipe is easy! I poured the batter into a 9×12 pan, baked, and once cooled, cut into neck ties and/or bow ties using cookie cutters. Remember – you don’t have to be such a square with brownies. Mix it up with fun cookie cutters. Plus, you can use the bits of leftovers from the cutters to sprinkle over ice cream. Win-win!

I added sky blue to the royal icing, and outlined the tie shaped brownies.

Gav hard at work on a card for Dad.

Gavin’s card with an edible bowtie.

Happy Father’s Day to Steves and to all the dads and grandfathers out there! Cheers to you!

OUR FAVES 

• Ann Clark, tie cookie cutters
• CK Products, royal icing
• Americolor, sky blue dye

Photos by: Maria Hedrick Photography

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Tie Brownie Cutouts

By TheSweetNerd  Cookies

June 13, 2018

• Yields: 16 brownies

Ingredients

Brownie batter

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

2 ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

Cheesecake batter

8 ounces cream cheese, well softened

1/3 cup sugar

1 large egg yolk

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Royal icing

2 pounds confectioners sugar

5 Tablespoons meringue powder

2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 to 3/4 cups warm water

Extras

Tie and bow tie cookie cutters

Sky blue Americolor dye

Directions

Brownie batter

1Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan.

2Heat butter and chocolate in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, whisking occasionally, just until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, eggs, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until well combined. Whisk in flour until just combined and spread in baking pan.

Cheesecake batter

1Whisk together cheesecake batter ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Dollop over brownie batter, then swirl in with a knife or spatula.

2Bake until edges are slightly puffed and center is just set, about 35 minutes.

Royal icing

1Add vanilla flavoring into 1/2 cup water and set aside until step 3.

2In the mixer (paddle attachment), gently mix confectioners sugar and meringue powder on low.

3Add 1/2 cup flavored water and mix on low until it is thick and lumpy.

4Now drizzle the remaining water as needed until it becomes a thick like honey consistency.

5At this point, turn mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes or so until icing is thick and fluffy. Stop when it forms a soft peak.

Decorate

1Combine blue dye with royal icing. Cut out shapes of ties with cutters. Outline ties with blue royal icing and serve.

Adapted from Epicurious

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