This brownie cheesecake is the ultimate chocolate cheesecake. It has a fudgy brownie crust with a chocolate cheesecake that melts in your mouth. It is topped with a chocolate ganache frosting. You will need a glass of milk for this cheesecake!
This no bake brownie cheesecake is perfect for chocolate lovers! If you want a baked chocolate cheesecake recipe, try this Ultimate Triple Chocolate Cheesecake.
The brownie crust is full of chocolate chips and made in a 9x13 pan. The brownie crust idea was inspired by my Nutella pie. Why waste a good idea!
The chocolate cheesecake batter, has both cocoa powder and chocolate ganache. Making the cheesecake incredibly rich!
Then, the top of chocolate ganache frosting gives it such fluffy pile of chocolate on top. I used the same frosting as my Marshmallow brownies.
This is one of the best treats you can make if you want to take your favorite desserts to the next level. The fudgy chocolate brownie and creamy cheesecake layer make a dessert you can be proud of at the end of the day Valentine's day or a birthday for someone special.
Why You Will Love This
- There is a brownie crust- The fudgy brownies are first baked in a 9X13 pan. Then, while warm, it is transferred into a 9 inch springform pan. Transferring the brownie warm and fudgy, gives the crust a soft texture even when cold.
- No bake cheesecake batter- This has a chocolate cream cheese mixture with no eggs. Then, a sweet whipped cream is gently folded in. Which is why it will melt in your mouth!
- Chocolate ganache frosting- This cheesecake would taste great without the frosting. However, it completes the cheesecake look!
- Easier than baked cheesecake- Since it is not baked, no worries about water baths or cracked cheesecake. It is only a few easy steps.
- So much chocolate!- If you have a chocolate craving, you will love this recipe! It is a perfect way to celebrate any special occasion or holiday season.
Ingredients
Here are the notes about the ingredients that are used.
- Eggs for brownie crust- Use cold eggs. It gives the brownie a fudgier texture.
- Melted butter- Let it cool slightly before using.
- Oil- Use canola or vegetable. Either is fine.
- Cocoa powder- I use this cocoa powder. Use dutch process to get a richer brownie. A natural cocoa powder will make a much lighter chocolate flavor.
- Chocolate chips- Use both semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips. This gives a rich brownie flavor with the two types of chocolate chips. You can also use dark chocolate chips.
- Cream cheese- Use full fat room temperature cream cheese. Don't use ⅓ fat.
- Sour cream- Use full fat room temperature sour cream. It needs to be the full fat.
- Heavy whipping cream- Make sure it is cold.
- Vanilla extract- For best results, use pure vanilla extract.
- Powdered sugar- Sift the powdered sugar for best results.
Step By Step Instructions
Here are the instructions to make this rich chocolate cheesecake. You will need an electric mixer. For best results use a stand mixer with whisk attachment.
STEP 1: For the brownies, mix the dry ingredients together. Then use the large bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment to beat the sugar and eggs on high speed.
This gives the brownies a crackle top. Add in the rest of the wet ingredients.
STEP 2: Next, fold in the dry ingredients. Then, fold in the chocolate chips to the brownie mixture. Bake the brownies in a 9x13 baking pan for 60-70 minutes at oven temperature 350°F.
STEP 3: Let the brownies sit for 25 minutes. Leave them in the baking pan on a wire rack. Then, mold the brownies into the springform pan.
Use the middle and only ¾ of the brownies. The rest can be used for eating.
Use the 9 inch springform pan with a 9 inch parchment paper on the bottom. Mold the brownie base up the sides of the pan and bottom.
STEP 4: Beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add in the sugar and cocoa powder. Mix on high medium speed until thoroughly combined. Scrape the bowl. Fold in the chocolate ganache.
STEP 5: Make the whipped cream. Instructions are in the recipe card. Fold it into the cheesecake mixture. This takes a few minutes. Keep folding until combined.
Pour the cheesecake filling on top of the brownie layer.
STEP 6: Chill overnight. Make sure you cover it (I prefer foil rather than plastic wrap). Then, make the chocolate ganache. Mix the heavy cream and chocolate chips together in a small bowl until creamy.
Chill in 10 minute intervals until it becomes a frosting like texture. Next, spread an even layer over the top of the cheesecake. You can decorate it with chocolate chips or chopped chocolate.
Baking Tips
Be careful that the brownies are not overbaked or under baked. If it is under baked, it will be too fudgy to form into the crust. I tried this my first time. Then, I tried baking it as the crust. It didn't work.
If the brownies are over baked, it will be too hard to form into the crust.
To prevent cream cheese lumps, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa powder very thoroughly. Scrape the bowl several times during this process. Once you add the whipped cream, there is no going back to get rid of lumps.
Make sure the cheesecake is chilled overnight or at least 6 hours. If you cut into it too soon, it will be like soup. It needs to completely set.
FAQ
Yes! Follow this Oreo cheesecake recipe for the Oreo cookie crumbs crust.
You will need to sift the cocoa powder. A lot of cocoa powders are very lumpy. This will fix the problem.
Yes you can. It doesn't have to be a frosting.
This is because you over mixed the whipped cream into the cheesecake batter. You needs to be super gentle when folding in the whipped cream.
Storing
This brownie cheesecake needs to be stored in the fridge in an airtight container like this cake carrier. It will last up to 5 days in the fridge.
Other Cheesecake Recipes To Try
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📖 Recipe
Brownie Cheesecake
Ingredients
Brownie Crust
- 2 ⅔ cups White granulated sugar
- 4 Large eggs cold
- 1 Egg yolk cold
- ⅔ cup Oil canola or vegetable
- 10 tablespoon Unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups Unsweetened cocoa powder I prefer dutch process
- 2 tablespoon Cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Milk chocolate chips
Chocolate Cheesecake
- ½ cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Heavy cream
- 24 oz Cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup White granulated sugar
- ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup Sour cream room temperature
- 1 ½ cups Heavy cream
- ¾ cup Powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup Heavy cream
Instructions
Brownie Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9X13 pan with baking nonstick spray. Line with parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides. Spray again.
- In a mixing bowl, sift the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Using a mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs, egg yolk, and sugar together. Beat on high for 5 minutes. The sugar/eggs will get be very light and fluffy.
- While the eggs are mixing, melt the butter in the microwave. Then, let it slightly cool. Once the eggs are done mixing, add in the oil, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix on low until combined. Take off mixer.
- Fold in the dry ingredients. Fold until it is completely combined, but be gentle so none of the air from the eggs deflates. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into the pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes. The brownies are done baking the edges are set, but the middle is very slightly underdone.
- Let it sit for 25 minutes before forming into the crust. Spray a 9 inch spring form pan with baking non-stick spray. Place a parchment paper on the bottom and spray again.
- Use gloves and form the warm brownies into the crust. Use only the middle of the brownies and use only ¾ths of the tray. It should go halfway up the pan. Compact with your hands. Then, let it sit while you make the batter.
Chocolate Cheesecake
- In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the heavy cream until hot and steaming. Place chocolate chips into a small bowl. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips. Let it sit for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Stir until combined. If any chocolate chunks remain, heat in 10 second intervals in the microwave until melted. Set aside.
- Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese on high for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl. Add in sugar and sifted cocoa powder. Beat on low until starting to combine. Then, switch to high and beat for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl to make sure the cocoa powder is completely mixed in.
- Add in the chocolate ganache and sour cream. Mix until combined. Take off the mixer.
- Freeze a metal mixing bowl and whisk attachment for 10 minutes. Take the cold bowl out of the freezer and mix in the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Beat on high until stiff peaks form.
- Fold the whipped cream into the cheesecake batter. Fold until it is fully combined. Be gentle! It should be super creamy cheesecake batter.
- Spread the cheesecake batter on top of the brownie crust. Cover in foil and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Chocolate Ganache Frosting
- In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the heavy cream until hot and steaming. Place chocolate chips into a small bowl. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips.
- Let it sit for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Stir until combined. If any chocolate chunks remain, heat in 10 second intervals in the microwave until melted.
- Chill in the fridge for 45 minutes. Stir every 10 minutes. It could take longer or slower depending on your fridge temperature. Chill until chocolate ganache reaches a pudding or frosting like consistency.
- Spread on top of the cheesecake batter. Top with chocolate chips.
Allison says
So good!!!!! Loved all of the chocolate!!
Laura says
While you do have to bake the brownies, it makes the cheesecake so much better!
Bri says
I made this recipe for a birthday dessert and my whole family loved it. I found the level of sweetness to be perfect. The cheesecake set well and easily came out of my spring form pan. So yummy!
Bonnie says
Your description talks about room temperature sour cream yet I don’t see that item in your ingredient list or where it’s used in the recipe. What am I missing?
Thanks
Stephanie Rutherford says
Thank you for letting me know. I forgot to add that ingredient to the recipe. It is added now!
Luisa says
Hi, I am still not seeing when to add the sour cream in your instructions…help!
Stephanie Rutherford says
I added it in now!
Luisa says
Thank you! I did it right!
Chad says
Delicious!!
Steven says
I tried this cheesecake thinking it would be a nice treat for my family. Oh man was it good! This is easily my favorite cheesecake recipe now. I want to share it with everyone I know!
kat says
Had a go at this recipe. The cheesecake didn't set and ended up as a pile of goo... still tasted good but not quite what I had in mind...
Stephanie Rutherford says
Hello!
Here are some reasons why the cheesecake didn't set.
1. This cheesecake is best when chilled overnight. It needs a long time to chill in the fridge before it is ready to dig in.
2. When you fold in the whipped cream into the chocolate cheesecake batter, you have to be VERY gentle. If you are too rough, it will knock out all of the air and it will be like you added 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream vs whipped cream.
Hope this helps!