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    Home » Brownies

    Jul 23, 2023 by Stephanie Rutherford · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

    Cheesecake Brownies

    401 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These cheesecake brownies are super fudgy chocolate brownies. They have cheesecake swirled on top of the brownies. The fudgy brownie layer and creamy cheesecake layer are the perfect combination of my favorite desserts.

    Top view of cheesecake brownies.

    These cheesecake brownies are decadent brownies, perfect for if you want to bring your homemade brownies to the next level. The cheesecake and brownie swirl not only gives them the best flavor, but a great look, too. This cheesecake brownie recipe is a guaranteed hit every time.

    For more cheesecake filling recipes, try Oreo Cheesecake Cookies, Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies, and Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies.

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step By Step Instructions - Cheesecake
    • Step By Step Instructions - Brownies
    • Expert Baking Tips
    • FAQ
    • Storing and Freezing
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Fudgy brownies- This rich fudgy brownie is so good on its own. It has a perfect fudgy brownie texture.
    • Cheesecake swirl- Cheesecake makes everything better. The cheesecake mixture swirled in even makes them look good!
    • Easy recipe- This is an easy dessert to make that only uses simple ingredients so anyone can make it! You won't want to make a box mix again. The cheesecake topping is a simple batter mixed in, no tricky steps involved.
    Bite missing from brownie.

    Ingredient Notes

    Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

    • Oil- Use canola oil or vegetable oil.
    • Large eggs- Take these out of the fridge 2 hours before baking to get to room temperature.
    • Unsalted butter- Melt this before you need it so it has time to melt any remaining chunks and cool down.
    • Powdered sugar- For best results, be sure to sift this as clumps can cause gritty texture.
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder- I strongly recommend dutch process cocoa powder for a more rich chocolate flavor. This is the one I used.

    Step By Step Instructions - Cheesecake

    Here is how to make the cheesecake for these brownies. This recipes uses an electric mixer. A hand mixer or a stand mixer with paddle attachment will work.

    STEP 1: Prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, spray a 9X9 inch square pan with baking spray. Line it with parchment paper along the bottom and coming up 2 sides enough to use as a handle and spray it again.

    STEP 2: Beat cream cheese and sugar. Add the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract to a medium bowl and use a mixer to beat it on high speed for 2 minutes.

    STEP 3: Add egg. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the egg to the cream cheese mixture. Mix it in on low speed until just combined.

    Cheesecake batter in a glass bowl.

    Step By Step Instructions - Brownies

    Here is how to make and bake the cheesecake brownies.

    STEP 1: Dry ingredients. Mix the all purpose flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl. Set it aside.

    STEP 2: Beat sugar and eggs. In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, add the sugar, powdered sugar, eggs, and egg yolks. Beat them with a mixer on high speed for 2 minutes.

    STEP 3: Combine. Add the melted butter, oil, and vanilla extract to the sugar and eggs mixture. Mix them in on low until combined. Next, add the dry ingredients and mix them in on low speed until combined.

    Whipped sugar and eggs in a glass bowl.
    Brownie batter in a glass bowl.

    STEP 4: Pour and scoop batters. Pour half of the brownie batter into the baking pan and spread it in an even layer. Use a large cookie scoop to scoop all of the cheesecake batter in large dollops randomly on top of the brownie batter. Scoop the reserved brownie batter on top in randomly placed dollops.

    Layer of brownie batter in pan.
    Cheesecake dollops on brownie batter.
    Brownie batter dollops on top of cheesecake layer.
    Swirled brownie batter in a pan.

    STEP 5: Swirl. Use a butter knife to very gently swirl the batters together. Only lightly swirl or the batters with start to mix and lose the swirl pattern.

    STEP 6: Bake. Bake for 40-50 minutes. They are done when a toothpick inserted into the middle of the brownies comes out with moist crumbs. If there is raw batter bake for an additional 5 minutes and test again.

    STEP 7: Cool. Let the brownies cool in the hot pan on a cooling rack until it is completely cooled. Then, place it in the fridge and chill it for 3 hours. Cut the brownies into 16 squares.

    Expert Baking Tips

    • To make brownie recipes more fudgy you include more egg yolk and cornstarch.
    • The extra egg yolk adds more fats to the recipe which helps give that moist and soft texture compared to the tougher, more cakey texture from the gluten in the flour.
    • The cornstarch helps by breaking down the gluten strands from the flour as well leading to a more fudgy brownie.
    • When doing the toothpick test make sure that there is not wet batter. If there is you need to bake them for a few more minutes. There should be moist crumbs, but no batter.
    Cheesecake brownies on a board.

    FAQ

    Why did my brownies sink?

    This means that the brownies were too under done. You will probably have extremely fudgy brownies. Bake the brownies again for another 5-10 minutes to cook them more.

    My brownies are very hard.

    This means the brownies are over baked. Make sure when you bake these, the center is slightly under done. You should get moist brownie crumbs when testing with a toothpick.

    Can I make this in an 8X8 pan?

    Yes you can. It will just make thick brownies. They will require more bake time than a big pan due to being thicker.

    Storing and Freezing

    Store these cookie dough brownies in an airtight container like a cake carrier. Store in the fridge up to 5 days.

    Freezing

    You can freeze the cookie dough brownies in individual brownie slices. Place in an airtight container and freeze up to 30 days.

    Stack of brownies on a wood board.

    Other Brownie Recipes To Try

    • Side view of cookie dough brownies.
      Cookie Dough Brownies
    • Close up of Nutella brownies.
      Nutella Brownies
    • Stack of two strawberry brownies.
      Strawberry Brownies
    • Three lemon brownies on its side.
      Lemon Brownies

    Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

    📖 Recipe

    Top view of cheesecake brownies.

    Cheesecake Brownies

    These cheesecake brownies are super fudgy chocolate brownies. They have cheesecake swirled on top of the brownies.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 45 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    Chilling Time 3 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 squares
    Calories 294 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Cheesecake

    • 8 oz Cream cheese room temperature
    • ¼ cup White granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • 1 Large eggs room temperature

    Brownies

    • 1 ½ cups White granulated sugar
    • ½ cup Powdered sugar
    • 3 Large eggs room temperature
    • 1 Egg yolk room temperature
    • ½ cup Unsalted butter melted
    • ½ cup Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup All-purpose flour
    • 1 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon Salt

    Instructions
     

    Cheesecake

    • Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray a 9X9- inch square baking pan with a baking nonstick spray. Line the bottom and 2 sides of the pan with parchment paper. Spray again.
    • In a medium bowl using a mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla on high speed for 2 minutes.
      8 oz Cream cheese, ¼ cup White granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • Scrape the bowl and add in the egg. Mix on low speed until just combined. Set aside.
      1 Large eggs

    Brownies

    • In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
      1 cup All-purpose flour, 1 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon Cornstarch, 1 teaspoon Salt
    • Using a mixer, beat the sugar, powdered sugar, eggs, and egg yolk on high speed for 2 minutes.
      1 ½ cups White granulated sugar, ½ cup Powdered sugar, 3 Large eggs, 1 Egg yolk
    • Add in the melted butter, oil, and vanilla. Mix on low until combined. Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined.
      ½ cup Unsalted butter, ½ cup Oil, 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • Pour half of the brownie batter into the pan. Spread evenly. Use a large cookie scoop. Scoop all of the cheesecake batter on top of the brownie batter. Place the dollops around randomly. Scoop the brownie batter on top in randomly placed dollops.
    • Use a butter knife to very gently swirl it together. You want to be careful to not over swirl the batters.
    • Bake for 40-50 minutes. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs. If it raw batter, bake for another 5 minutes before testing again.
    • Cool the brownies (in the pan) on a cooling rack until completely cool. Place in the fridge and chill for at least 3 hours. Cut the brownies into 16 squares.

    Notes

    Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the brownies and cause them to be cakey.
    High altitude baking- Add an extra 1 tablespoon of flour.
    Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hours before baking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 3gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 193mgPotassium: 113mgFiber: 2gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 384IUCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cheesecake, cheesecake brownies, fudgy brownies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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