cream cheese pecan brownies with strawberry syrup

preheat OVEN TO 350 DEGREES
grease a 9 x 9 inch pan
*or you can use a circle cake pan

you will need

-1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
-3/4 cup of melted butter
-chopped pecans (optional)
-2 tbsp water
-1 large egg
-2 tsp vanilla extract
-1 1/3 cups of flour
-3/4 cup of cocoa powder (I prefer nestle)
-1/2 tsp baking powder
-1/4 tsp salt
-8oz cream cheese

strawberry syrup:
-3/4 cup of water
-1 1/4 cup of sugar
-12 strawberries sliced in half
-1 tsp vanilla

brownies:

• combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl
• in another bowl mix sugar, butter, and water
• add sugar mixture with flour mixture and mix , add pecans *optional
• melt cream cheese in microwave for approx. 45 sec or until no longer solid
• pour brownie mixture in pan , smooth and even out mixture
• pour cream cheese in a circular motion  on top of brownies
• using a butter knife create swirls of cream cheese in brownies
• place in oven bake approx. 20-25 min (insert toothpick to check if brownies are cooked all the way through, if tooth pick comes out wet or covered in brownie mixture it is not ready)

Strawberry syrup:

• in a medium large pan bring water to a boil
• while stirring water with a whisk pour in sugar
• continue stirring until syrup begins to thicken and have a glossy appearance
• toss in strawberries and continue to stir until syrup turns bright red
• pour syrup in a glass jar or glass bowl *syrup will be extremely hot
• place in freezer for 20 minutes for a quick cool down , then refrigerate after use (also great on pancakes or waffles!

serve strawberries over brownies !