Fun in the Mud!

For the past several years I have interviewed a gentleman responsible for putting on a local mud bog and every year he gives me tickets to give away on the air and always invites me to come out and enjoy the fun.  I graciously accept the tickets and have a ton of fun giving them away, but have yet to go to the actual mud bog.  I can honestly say that I have always had a prior commitment on the weekend of the event, but this year is different, I have no commitments for the day.

Now, to be even more honest, I wasn't exactly upset that I always had something else going on and could never attend the "bog."  You see, I am only country to a certain extent--let's face it, this sounds like it leans a little redneck.  A mud bog doesn't really sound like "me."  In fact, I didn't even know what it was when I did the first interview three years ago.  After learning that a mud bog is basically where a bunch of pick up trucks, modified or not, try there darnedest to make it through a huge mud pit, I flashed back to high school.  One of my guy friends (who may or may not have been trying to ask me out on a date) turned to me in Econ class and said, "Do you want to go muddin' with me this weekend?"  I think my exact response was, "Do I want to go WHAT-ING with you this weekend?"

That has pretty much been my mindset on the whole "mud" concept.  After all, I had hogs growing up can't I call it good on the whole "mud" thing?  BUT--a certain male in my life just my change my mind.  A very cute and very influential little man...Jonathan.  I am sure that he would love to go and watch a bunch of souped up pickups run through the mud.  So, this year, I say, "bring it on!"

Or, at least take these really yummy mudslide brownies and try to grin and bear it!  Now THAT, I can handle!  Enjoy!

Sandra Lee's Mudslide Brownies:

Ingredients
• Butter-flavored cooking spray

• 1 (18.3-ounce) box fudge brownie mix (recommended: Betty Crocker)

• 3 eggs, divided use

• 2/3 cup vegetable oil

• 1/4 cup pre-made mudslide drink (recommended: T.G.I. Friday's)

• 1 tablespoon instant coffee crystals

• 1 tablespoon hot water

• 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with butter-flavored cooking spray; set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine brownie mix, 2 eggs, vegetable oil, and mudslide drink. Mix well to combine. Transfer to prepared baking pan and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine instant coffee and 1 tablespoon of hot water. Stir together until all the coffee has dissolved. Add cream cheese, sugar and remaining egg. Using an electric mixer beat on low speed until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread over brownie mixture. Use a butter knife to cut cream cheese mixture into brownie mixture for a marble effect.

Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.