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These Tiramisu Brownies are chocolate coffee brownies filled with chunks of pound cake and a mascarpone cheese swirl.


“This negativity just makes me stronger, we will not retreat, this band is unstoppable!”- Cliff Ponicer (Matt Dillion’s character in Singles).

Just insert blog where band is. 🙂

It’s good to know that I am not alone in the blog bashing as of late.

Maybe it is just us Seattle area girls that are getting it, as my buddy Cakespy got a ton of grief for making conversation heart pie over on Serious Eats.

She was just having a little, you know (or maybe you don’t and that’s the problem) fun.

Which is funny because I made conversation heart ice cream (kind of like I did for the candy corn), so I’m sure if I post it (it’s a really odd color) I will get crap for it too.

I would like to extend a big giant lighten up to everyone out there in Uptight Land.

Come on over and vacation in Laid Back Land.

No really, I can send you a brochure.

There are many benefits to Laid Back Land.

For one, they offer stick removal from your butt the minute you arrive.

It’s just one of the many services they provide, free of charge, along with a facial massage to remove the scowl from your face in attempt to turn it into a smile.

You can eat cold pizza for breakfast without anyone saying anything.

Or without them telling you how many calories or carbs are in that pizza.

No one here is telling you how many calories they burned on the elliptical trainer last night either to make you feel bad that you didn’t.

No one is complaining about how the garbage truck/landscaper/UPS man/milk man/fill in the blank someone doing their job man dares to disturb their child during nap time.

There is no one telling you that you didn’t fill out a form properly.

Or that you didn’t follow the right procedure (you still got it done, you just didn’t follow procedure).

A land where people aren’t so set on everything being done their way or no way at all.

Oh, and no one corrects your grammar! 😛

Why yes there are many benefits of Laid Back Land…including afternoon brownies.

No, not 420 brownies you potheads.

Just brownies.

Well, okay, not just brownies, Tiramisu Brownies.

Brownies with pieces of pound cake and mascarpone cheese in them.

If you are still living in Uptight Land you might be upset that I messed with Cream Cheese Brownies.

But if you are visiting Laid Back Land you will just appreciate that they are brownies and you are eating them. 🙂

You will probably cringe (if you are in Uptight Land) that I used Sara Lee Pound Cake, but I did.

And here’s why.

Number one, it was $2 on sale at the grocery store.

I can’t make a pound cake for that.

Number two, it’s going in brownies, so it’s not like the whole dessert is about the pound cake.

Number three, Sara Lee pound cake is sturdy as heck.

Seriously.

You need sturdy for this.

So come on over and join us for brownies, you won’t be sorry. 😛

Last but not least…it’s a great time to order my cookbook.

Want More Brownie Recipes?

Cinnamon Dolce Latte Brownies

Hot Mess Brownies

Star Crunch Brownies

Monster Cookie Dough Brownies

Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars

Tiramisu Brownies

Tiramisu Brownies

Ingredients

  • 10 TBSP unsalted butter, cut into pieces, divided
  • 1 cup plus two tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. instant coffee
  • 8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 4 ounces room-temperature mascarpone cheese
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided
  • 4 large eggs, divided
  • 1 cup pound cake thinly sliced, then cut into 2-inch pieces (I used Sara Lee because it was cheap and very dense so I knew it would hold together well)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Brush a 9-inch square baking pan with butter or use baking spray.
  3. Sprinkle ½ cup of pound cake pieces on the bottom of pan.
  4. Arrange so they are laying flat.In a small bowl, whisk 1 cup flour, cocoa, baking powder, instant coffee, and salt; set aside.
  5. Place 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water.
  6. Heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes; remove bowl from pan.
  7. Add 1 ¼ cups sugar; mix to combine.
  8. Add 3 eggs, and mix to combine.
  9. Add flour and cocoa mixture; mix just until moistened (do not overmix).
  10. Prepare the mascarpone mixture:
  11. Whisk mascarpone cheese with 2 TBSP room-temperature butter.
  12. Whisk in 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 2 TBSP all-purpose flour.
  13. Spread half the batter into the pan over pound cake pieces, they will move, it’s fine.
  14. Add another layer of pound cake pieces and add remaining brownie batter.
  15. Spoon mascarpone mixture on top the brownie batter, leaving some brownie exposes.
  16. With the tip of a paring knife, swirl to marble.
  17. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 50 to 60 minutes.
  18. Cool in pan for 30 minutes.
  19. On a cutting board, using a dampened serrated knife, cut into 16 squares.
  20. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 2 days.
© Peabody



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Comments

  1. Ok, I have never commented before but couldn’t stop myself when I read “There are many benefits to Laid Back Land. For one, they offer stick removal from your butt the minute you arrive.” I have always loved reading your blog but this made me LOVE your blog. I always look forward to reading whatever it is that is on your mind.

    Reply

  2. These uptight people must be the most miserable people around, having no sense of humor and must be pretty hard on themselves in order to be so perfect. I’m glad to be in laid back land. I like that you tell it as it is…
    P.S. I hope your hockey friend is doing okay.

    Reply

  3. I saw that cakespy post and all I could think of was the candy hearts in her photo had kind of funny slogans — “reach 4 it” –printed on heart-shaped candy–I cracked up.
    Also, thanks for another crack-up moment in your post. 😀

    Reply

  4. I sorta think these brownies are the opposite of laid back – but I’ll gladly walk the line between laid back and uptight if it means I can have one 🙂

    Reply

  5. Snerk. You’ve totally made my day. Love it. Love the blog. And I cannot believe that some people haven’t discovered Laid Back Land.

    Reply

  7. I totally agree – life is much better in Laid Back Land! The brownies look like they would help anyone to get there as well, guess what’s on my list to bake this week?

    Reply

  12. Yikes! They didn’t just give her grief, they flipping CRUCIFIED her! IApparently some of the Serious Eats people take *themselves* much too seriously. I’ll have Tiramisu Brownies in Laid Back Land, please! 🙂 I love how you always shoot it straight.

    Reply

  13. Sara Lee Banana Cake used to be one of my favorite things, especially if it as still a little frozen. No plate require, just a fork.

    Laid Back Land sounds like my kind of place. How could you not like it with classic lines like “they offer stick removal from your butt the minute you arrive”.

    When I make a trifle I use a store-bought pound cake because it gets the job done. I need something that can soak up a lot of alcohol and not give way, and this is perfect.

    I see nothing wrong with this pie at all, it is actually quite sweet with the little hearts. I think that when Cakespy put the one that says “reach 4 it” on top she meant it for those who still have a stick stuck up their butts.

    Reply

  14. oh, DAAANNNNG these look fabulous.

    and complainers can stay away… they are not fun and all I do is feel sorry for them that they must go through life feeling (and looking!) like they ate a poo burger for lunch.

    XXO!

    Reply

  15. Mmm, I could go for some of these…

    Poor Cakespy! It was a fun kitschy Valentines treat! As if anything Valentines related isn’t a little kitschy! Yeah, CHILL OUT.

    Reply

  19. I love laid back land. I am glad you are taking all the complainers in stride, Peabody. You can’t please everyone, and really, who would want to?

    Reply

  20. I’m a newbie to this site and a visitor to Laid back Land. I will be coming here daily to see what Peabody’s cooked up for us. She’s something isn’t she! 🙂

    Reply

  21. After you mentioned it in this post, I headed over to CakeSpy to see what people were saying and I honestly can’t believe how cruel some people are! Thanks for your rebuttal post. I particularly loved the stick removal. Hopefully the grumps will get the message and piss off.

    Reply

  22. Just wanted to say “Hi” from over here in Uptight Land. No, seriously, I struggle with being too uptight ALL the time!! Which is why I make a conscious effort to do things that force me to not take myself too seriously — baking being one of those things 🙂 Reading this blog is another. So, thanks!

    Reply

  23. These brownies look amazing! I might have to make them for a friend who has been requesting Tiramisu lately! And, as for the blog-bashing – didn’t their mothers ever tell them “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all?” I wonder if it makes the critics feel better about themselves when they cut down other people? I’m glad you’re taking it lightly and are able to move past it. I love your blog and wish you nothing but the best!

    Reply

  25. I work with some folks from uptight land. I skipped down one of the aisles last night and you would have thought I smacked someone. THe store was closed and I would have tripped if I ran, so I skipped. It’s rather fun to skip. they are poopy heads that need the stick removal service.

    the brownies look very yummy.

    Reply

  28. I love recipes that incorporate candy bars, Oreo’s, Peanut butter cups, etc. Baking/cooking is supposed to be FUN. I’ve been putting off making Tiramisu because it looks a little intense. I’m definitely part of the laid back land.
    Good post!

    Reply

  29. I live in Karen world which resembles laid back land.

    Now about the kaluaha for the brownies – maybe mixed with whipped cream?

    Reply

  30. Wow, I just headed over to Serious Eats and read some of the comments. Good Grief. That’s too bad. I read a blog not to long ago where a first lengthy paragraph apologized for posting a hot dog recipe. I thought to myself “c’mon you’re being pretentious by assuming food bloggers are pretentious”…maybe he was right. :/

    Reply

  31. Thanks for the laugh! I live in Laid Back Land too 🙂 This looks delicious, I have a friend who loves Tiramisu, so I’m sure she’ll be happy to taste test for me!

    Reply

  32. I think some of these people fail to realize that it’s YOUR blog, and if you wanted to post about boogers you can. If they don’t like it, maybe they should start their own blog. But they should remove the stick from their butt first – makes it easier to sit down infront of a computer.

    Reply

  33. Great post :). I find I live directly on the border of Laid Back and Uptight Lands. However, these brownies definitely look like they’d put me into a wonderful bliss induced coma, so I might be a permanet resident of Laid Back Land soon :).
    Oh, and I have to say *bravo* for making a post titled “Lighten Up” about a brownie with 10tbsps of Butter and 8oz of chocolate :). Made my day. 🙂

    Reply

  34. As a lifetime resident of laid back land I applaud you and your approach to life and this blog.. it is one of the reasons I subscribe – oreo picture included. Please continue as you are I think the positive responders far out weigh the uptightville residents.

    Reply

  35. As the mother of a toddler I find I have live on the border between Uptight and Laid Back Lands. It is exhausting, I think I need that brownie up there. Hmm, I wonder if there would be an audible gasp heard round the world if you were to make it with a brownie mix 😉 If course, either way you’d have a warm chocolate brownie in your hands and the food snobs wouldn’t so who is really losing here?

    Reply

  36. Thank you for this post! On a day like today I really needed the laugh. I really do look forward to your blog & really, I don’t log on for the recipes, I log on to hear your comments. The recipes are just a bonus!

    Reply

  37. LOVE the idea of Tiramisu Brownies. I like Laid Back Land. It is the place that let me laugh when someone commented on my blog that my recipes were not original (I have never claimed that they were.) and that my life was boring snivel and that I should just go away. Yes. Like I forced those angry people (3 comments worded almost identically on the same day) to read my blog. Oh well. Their problem; not mine. I reside in Laid Back Land. 🙂 Good for you.

    Reply

  38. Laid Back Land is the place to be. Brownies, no matter what’s in them, are going to taste better without the criticism in Uptight Land.

    Man, I love this post, Peabody! Really. I really do.

    Reply

  40. How can peeps comment negatively about food??? I find that amazing and confuseling. Yesh – I did that on purpoise – that too. 🙂
    Anyway, maybe they are gluten intolerant and seeing your WONDERFUL warm food – photographed so lovely and it just makes them alittle crazy?
    Who knows – but here’s a lovely comment – your food and your presentation is LOVELY!
    Thanks and as I am gluten intolerant – hey – I LOVE looking at great food – esp. sweets. 🙂 Have a GR8 Seattle day.
    Oh – and mean goils are EVERYWHERE!

    Reply

  42. Peabody you are amazing! I have always loved your blog but now it’s beyond love! This post made me crack up and the fact that you have been posting amazing posts everyday is even more awesome.

    Reply

  43. You continuously amaze me with your creative (and drool-worthy) ideas. I’d love to know what inspired these brownies!

    Reply

  44. “stick removal upon arrival” I had to read that twice, probably because the last time I briefly ventured into Up Tight land was a long time ago. That and the fact that English is not my first language. Time being 7.30am must have something to do with it as well. Severe cold might contribute too. Which caused a major clog-up when I read it the third time just for fun. I won’t tell you the results, lots of spilled coffee, tissues and bodily fluids involved, not pretty lots of fun. At 7.30.
    Thank you. Also for messing with that cake and tiramisu!

    Reply

  45. Are there t-shirts for sale in Laid Back Land? I think you should have them printed with brownies on them, available at the Pea’s Shop of Awesomeness.

    Reply

  47. I guess I don’t have much of a blog following, as I don’t think people care enough about my blog to make nasty comments. I’m sorry you have to deal with that. I just don’t get that people are so worked up. Just don’t read if you don’t want to!

    I’ve made a couple of tiramisu recipes but never brownies. They sound great!

    Reply

  48. Love your blog – am a newbie to Peabody Land. Recipes are amazing. Going to be trying several. Thank you for making our days just a bit more sunny!

    Reply

  49. For shame Peabody! you should really be more sensitive to those with sticks up their asses… Maybe they were born with it lodged in there, maybe it’s hereditary. It has to be uncomfortable. As for the scowl on their faces, maybe that’s just the way their face looks…scowly. I mean, food is SERIOUS business, it is not to be enjoyed or toyed with.

    I only eat while grimacing and I only eat foods hand harvested by virgins committed to the seriousness of sustenance.

    😉

    Reply

  50. I’ve always liked your blog, but now I LOVE it. I can’t believe that anyone would take the time to comment negatively on a cooking or baking blog. I need to take the time to comment more often on how crazily delicious your creations always look – the brownies are no exception.

    Reply

  51. You do not know what happened behind the scenes with the cakespy serious eats discussion. You are only drawing attention to one side of it. From what I have been told it has little of anything to do with the recipe or Jessie. I went over and looked at the recipe and I do not think anything about it. It is like a jello box pie. Nothing exciting. Do they pay her to make up recipes? I could have made that one up. So what if people are upset about a recipe, what is it to you? Keeping you up at night? I think probably not. It is not anyone’s problem but serious eats problem. So why worry over it? Who cares?

    Reply

    • This post wasn’t really about Cakespy. But how do you know I don’t know the behind the scene issues. Jessie is a real life friend here in Seattle. You need to re-read my post and get on a vacation yourself.

      Reply

  52. I am glad you stuck up for your friend. 🙂 I also know you are a good friend to have. Blogger should all stick together no matter what right? I just came back from vacation. Thanks for being concerned with my well being as well.

    Reply

  54. I am firing all mean people.

    Then I will sit back and eat a brownie. Connie is not invited.

    But you are. You’re the one bringing the brownies!! I’ll take 7 of these. I’ll trade ya for a few cupcakes.

    Reply

  55. BAWHAHAHAHA…Love this part: “they offer stick removal from your butt the minute you arrive. It’s just one of the many services they provide, free of charge”

    Can I bring you to show and tell? LOL

    Reply

  56. I LOVE your blog, and I want to come live in Laid Back Land (I kind of do already, since I’m in So. CA, but yours has brownies). These brownies just made it to the top of my to-bake list. Thank you so much!!

    Reply

  58. You know, I don’t really understand the people that make negative comments on blogs. I follow several blogs & not every post every time is appealing to me. But, it is YOUR blog & YOU are allowed to put whatever YOU want on it. It is my choice to read it! I would never say anything negative because I don’t like what someone posts; I read it & move on to the next one! I enjoy reading other views on life that differ from mine & seeing recipes that I would never think of (even if they sound disgusting or are sooo simple)…It keeps my mind open & lets me see things from different perspectives! I don’t see how that could ever be a bad thing!

    Reply

  61. Serious Eats is a blog about serious eats and therein lies the rub. Conversation heart pies and the like are not serious eats. The suggestion was merely made that Cakespy’s SCRATCH recipes be posted on SE – not her Sandra Lee-like stuff. It was never meant to be personal; opinions were merely expressed about the RECIPE. Hey if there’s anyone in the world who loves a whimsical baked good, it’s me. (I made BF a Blue Velvet 40th BD cake.) As long as it’s not chemically laced fake food. Just sayin’.

    Reply

    • Considering the only recipe Serious Eats asked me to share ever was a picture of my Corn on the Cob Cupcakes which are covered in multicolored Jelly Beans, I don’t really link them with being all that serious.
      Since I consider food an extention of myself (at least what I make) it’s hard not to take it personal. Which I can assure you she is. She is just not saying anything because SE would frown on that.
      It becomes personal when someone a. thinks the post is about them when it is not, and b. doesn’t bring it up on my blog…drags my blog elsewhere. And since that person didn’t have a blog for me to go over to, there really was no place to bring it up but there.

      Reply

  62. These look super yummy! I have a q though…
    You seem to use mascarpone cheese a lot and in the grocery store here (Canada) it is EXTREMLEY expensive! Is it cheeper in the USofA? Like butter….I pay like $5/lb but I know my american friends can buy it super cheap! I know I could sub it out but I”m curious 🙂

    Reply

  63. Love your blog and love Laid Back Land. What is wrong with people? Its your blog and you can put whatever you want on it! Sheesh! Its a food blog– its supposed to be fun!

    Reply

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