Cream Cheese Brownie Pie

What You'll Need:

1 refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box

1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened

3 tbsp sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1 box brownie mix (plain old chocolate fudge)

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tbsp water (plus more if needed)

2 eggs

Chopped pecans, optional

How to Make It:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and 1 egg until smooth; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, vegetable oil, water, and the other 2 eggs. Spread half the brownie mixture in the pie crust. Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over the brownie layer. Top with the remaining brownie mixture and spread evenly. Sprinkle with pecans, if desired. Cover the edges of the pie with foil. Bake the pie 40-50 minutes, removing the foil during the last 15 minutes of baking. When the pie is done, the center will be puffed up a bit and look like fully baked brownies. Cool completely before serving. Store the leftovers (if you have any) in the refrigerator.