Heavenly Cheesecake Brownies

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

For the brownie layer, melt the butter and chocolate together in a double boiler or microwave oven and allow to cool. Beat together the eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth, add in the cooled chocolate/butter mixture and continue to beat until fully incorporated.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder if using, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and blend until all the flour is incorporated.

Blend all the cheesecake ingredients together in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer or food processor.

Line a baking dish (approximately 9″) with parchment paper and pour in the chocolate mixture. Pour the cheesecake mixture on top and, using a butter knife, swirl so that some of the chocolate mixes with the cheesecake batter. Bake in a preheated 350ºF oven and allow to cool before removing from the pan and slicing.