German Cream Cheese Brownies

 This is one of Mom's recipes. She often made these brownies for parties at my house. She always wanted to contribute something delicious!

4 oz. german sweet chocolate                             

5 Tbsp butter                              

8 oz. cream cheese, softened                                  

1 cup sugar                                 

3 eggs                                         

1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract    

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp almond extract

1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp flour

1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional                                      

Melt chocolate and 3 Tbsp butter. Set aside to cool.

Cream remaining butter with cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, continuing to cream. Stir in 1 egg, 1Tbs flour, and 1/2 tsp vanilla until blended. Set aside.

Beat remaining eggs until light in color and fluffy. Gradually add remaining 3/4 cup sugar, beating until thickened. Fold in baking powder, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup flour. Blend in cooled chocolate mixture.

If desired, stir in coarsely chopped nuts. Add almond extract and remaining 1 tsp vanilla. Set aside 1 cup of chocolate mixture.

Spread remaining chocolate batter in a greased 9"x9" square pan. Pour cheese batter over the top. Drop remaining chocolate batter onto cheese batter with a tablespoon. Swirl with spatula to marble. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes.