Good and Plenty Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

Good & Plenty candies have brightened American candy counters since the 1890s with their pink-and-white licorice shells. These fudgy brownies fold in a tangy cream-cheese swirl and chopped Good & Plenty for a playful, shareable dessert.

Serves 9 · 20 min prep · 32 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 345 cal
• 5g protein
• 42g carbs
• 18g fat
• 3g fiber

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp fine salt
• 8 oz, softened cream cheese
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 cup Good & Plenty candy
• 2 drops pink gel food color

Instructions

1. 1Heat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square metal pan with parchment, leaving overhang, and lightly grease the paper.
2. 2Melt the butter in a saucepan or microwave until just liquid. Whisk in the granulated sugar until the mixture looks sandy and glossy.
3. 3Whisk in the whole eggs and half the vanilla until the batter is thick and ribbon-like. Sift in the cocoa, flour, and salt, then fold just until no dry streaks remain.
4. 4Chop three-quarters of the Good & Plenty into small bits. Fold most of the chopped candy into the brownie batter, reserving a handful for the top.
5. 5In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, the egg yolk, remaining vanilla, and pink gel until completely smooth and softly pink.
6. 6Spread two-thirds of the brownie batter into the pan in an even layer. Dollop the pink cheesecake mixture over the batter, then add spoonfuls of the remaining brownie batter on top.
7. 7Drag a butter knife through the pan in long figure-eights to create bold pink-and-chocolate swirls without fully blending the layers.
8. 8Scatter the reserved chopped Good & Plenty and the remaining whole candies across the surface so pink and white pieces bake into the top.
9. 9Bake 28 to 34 minutes until the edges are set, the center still has a slight jiggle, and a toothpick shows moist crumbs rather than wet batter.
10. 10Cool completely in the pan on a rack, then chill 1 hour for clean slices. Lift out and cut into nine squares. Serve cool so the cheesecake swirl stays creamy and the candy stays chewy.