Velvety, delicately tart cream cheese blends well with the more cakey, sugary blondie batter. The resulting bar cookies are remarkably rich and highly habit-forming.

　　

Ingredients

makes 9 large or 16 small

　　11 tablespoons (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan

　　1 2/3 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

　　1 teaspoon baking powder

　　3/4 teaspoon coarse salt

　　1 cup packed light brown sugar

　　3 large eggs

　　1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

　　6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

　　1/4 cup granulated sugar

　　

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a buttered 8-inch square baking pan with parchment, allowing a 2-inch overhang. Butter lining (not overhang).

　　

Step 2

Whisk together 1 2/3 cups flour, the baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

　　

Step 3

Put 9 tablespoons butter and the brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla; mix until combined. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture; mix, scraping down sides of bowl, until well combined. Transfer to a large bowl.

　　

Step 4

Put cream cheese, granulated sugar, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla into the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the clean paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until smooth.

　　

Step 5

Pour half of the blondie batter into prepared pan, and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Spoon two-thirds of cream cheese mixture on top, and spread evenly. Drop dollops of remaining batter on top (spacing about 1 inch apart), and spread. Top with dollops of remaining cream cheese mixture, about 1 inch apart.

　　

Step 6

Gently swirl cream cheese mixture into batter with a butter knife, running the knife lengthwise and crosswise through layers. Bake until golden brown and a cake tester inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs but is not wet, 45 to 47 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan, about 15 minutes. Lift out; let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares. Blondies can be stored between layers of parchment in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days.

　　Martha Stewart's Cookies