These brownies, such a popular treat in the U.S., are made more sophisticated in this recipe as they include little squares of chocolate aromatized with rum and raisins and glazed with a cream cheese topping - totally decadent!

Brownies:
Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Spray the pan or line it with baking paper. For the brownie layer, mix first 3 ingredients. Melt butter and chocolate together and add to mixture. Add remaining ingredients, excluding the raisins, and mix well. Add raisins and mix. Pour into pan and bake for approx. 25 min. at 350°F.

Topping:
Beat all ingredients together until smooth and thick.

Finish:
Cool and cover with a layer of cream cheese topping. Sprinkle raisins on top and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Did you know?
The name comes from the deep-brown color of the cookie. The first known published recipe for "brownies" appeared in the Sears, Roebuck Catalogue in 1897. It is thought that it was created when a careless cook failed to add baking powder to a chocolate-cake batter. Over time, the dense, chocolate squares began appearing in American kitchens as the recipe was quickly shared by word of mouth.