Recipe: Zebra Brownies

Since I'm feeling extra generous today, here's the recipe for my eternally-popular zebra brownies. The price of such fame is that now everyone expects me to make it for every party. And according to Animal Planet, the word is pronounced ZEH-brah not ZEE-bra.

Zebra Brownies

2 boxes brownie mix (no fudge packets)
1 cup oil
1/2 water
5 large eggs
2 pkgs. cream cheese, softened to room temp.
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 large egg

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment (wax) paper. Use a large pan if you want thin brownies or a small pan if you like thick brownies.
2) Combine 2 packages dry brownie mix with oil, water, and 5 eggs. Mix thoroughly and pour onto the baking sheet.
3) Combine cream cheese with sugar. Stir about 2 minutes. Remember to scrape the sides of the mixing bowl. Stir in vanilla and eggs until just mixed. DO NOT OVERMIX once you add the egg or else the top of your cheesecake will crack horribly.
4) Carefully spread the cheesecake batter over the brownies in a thin layer. Then, take a knife and swirl it through the batters until swirly patterns emerge.
5) Bake according to the directions on the brownie box, usually 35 minutes.
6) COOL THOROUGHLY before you cut them otherwise you will have crumby rather than neat squares.