1) Swapping out the marscipone cheese for cream cheese in brownies will do the trick (and help save a few bones), but it is not nearly as good.
Your single male friends will eat up every bit of either version, though.
2)
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Asparagus-and-Leek-Soup-11958H has been getting asparagus and leeks at the farmer's market and making this soup. It is ridiculously good.