Island Bites: Brownie Cheesecake Bonbons

A bonbon (or bon bon) is a small candy, usually covered with a thin layer of chocolate. Bonbons are often confused with chocolate truffles. But truffles are made of a thick chocolate ganache, rolled in cocoa powder. Instead, a bonbon is a sweet confection like praline, fruit mousse or caramel, cover with a thin hard chocolate shell.

This recipe combines two american favorites.These decadent bonbons are filled with layers of delicious fudgy brownie and fluffy almond cheesecake.

Brownie Cheesecake Bonbons

• Use your favorite recipe for the cheesecake batter.
• You could use your favorite brownie recipe, or even a store bought brownie mix. But if you want to make brownies from scratch, try my rich Fudgy Brownies. (recipe follows)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate, melted
• 1 tsp instant coffee
• 1 ¼ cup sugar
• 1 ¼ stick butter, melted
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped almonds (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, instant coffee and baking powder.
2. Combine melted butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Add the chopped almonds. Mix until combined.
4. Bake in a lined pan for 20 to 25 minutes at 325 degrees F.