Taste of Home Tuesday: Seafood and Cream Cheese Stuffed Shells/Cheesecake Brownies

Seafood and Cream Cheese Shells

Ingredients
1 package (12 ounces) jumbo pasta shells
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 cans (6 ounces each) lump crabmeat, drained
1/2 pound frozen cooked salad shrimp, thawed
12 green onions, finely chopped

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Cool to room temperature.
In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, salt, pepper and cayenne. Gently stir in the crab, shrimp and onions. Stuff shells, about 2 tablespoons in each. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Yield: about 3 dozen.

The shells are very rich, but they are good. We both thought they would make a good appetizer. We did not buy the lump crabmeat in a can because it was rather pricey. Instead we bought the imitation meat from the seafood section.

Cheesecake Brownies

Ingredients
1 package fudge brownie mix (13-inch x 9-inch pan size)
2 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting

Directions
Prepare brownie mix batter according to package directions. Spread 2 cups into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; set aside.
In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, sugar, flour and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Spread evenly over brownie batter. Top with remaining brownie batter. Cut through batter with a knife to swirl.
Bake at 350° for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs (brownies may appear moist). Cool completely on a wire rack. Spread frosting over brownies. Yield: 3 dozen.

These brownies are delicious!! You can probably tell from my picture I left the frosting off. Justin is not a big frosting fan and I could tell as I made them they would be sweet enough without it.