Cheesecake Swirled Brownies (Print Page)

Rich chocolate brownies marbled with creamy cheesecake topping for an indulgent dessert experience.

# What You Need:

→ Brownie Layer

01 - 6 oz unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
06 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 3.5 oz dark chocolate, chopped or chips

→ Cheesecake Swirl

10 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
11 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
12 - 1 large egg
13 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, beating until fully combined.
03 - Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Stir gently until just combined. Fold in the chopped chocolate.
04 - Reserve about 1/4 cup of the brownie batter. Pour the remaining batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
05 - In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until creamy. Add granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
06 - Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the brownie batter in the pan.
07 - Drop spoonfuls of the reserved brownie batter over the cheesecake layer. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the two batters together for a marbled effect.
08 - Bake for 32–35 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
09 - Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into squares.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The perfect marriage of fudgy chocolate and tangy cream cheese creates an irresistible texture contrast
  • These look impressive but come together with basic pantry staples and simple techniques
  • They actually taste better the next day, making them ideal for make ahead dessert planning
02 -
  • Overbaking is the enemy of fudgy brownies so trust the moist crumb test over visual cues
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the cheesecake layer from seizing or becoming lumpy
  • The swirl looks messy when you are creating it but bakes into beautiful marble patterns
03 -
  • Use room temperature cream cheese to prevent lumps in your swirl layer
  • Underbake slightly and refrigerate overnight for the most fudgy texture imaginable

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