These cheesecake brownies are rich and fudgy with a layer of cream cheese. A simple 3-ingredient cheesecake topping adds rich, creamy sensation while the brownie layer is the perfect decadent and dark brownie recipe. Recipe includes tips and step by step directions.
These cheesecake brownies combine the best of both dessert worlds. Dark, rich fudgy chocolate brownies with light and fluffy cheesecake. The pretty marbled top also adds a decorative touch like you bake for a living.
I am a huge fan of marbled brownies because they look just as decadent as they taste. My favorites include these peanut butter brownies and Biscoff brownies, but I also love Chocolate Cheesecake Bars with Oreo Crust.
Ingredients and Notes
Here is an overview of the ingredients you will need to make these cream cheese marbled brownies:
Flour: I use all-purpose flour. I cannot speak to how flour substitutes work with this recipe.
Eggs: 4 large whole eggs make these brownies rise perfectly while keeping a moist, creamy crumb.
Dark Chocolate: For this recipe, it is perfectly fine to use dark chocolate chips or a chocolate bar. I don't recommend baker's chocolate. You can also use milk chocolate if you prefer, but I feel the dark balances out the creaminess of the cheesecake.
Sugar: Use granulated, white sugar. Brown sugar will increase the moisture too much.
Unsalted Butter: If you have salted, decrease the salt by ¼ tsp. The butter must be softened to room temperature. In a pinch, you can cut it into tablespoon sized pieces and pop in the microwave for a few seconds. Do not melt the butter.
Cocoa Powder: A good quality cocoa powder is essential to this recipe.
Cream cheese - Standard full fat cream cheese will give the best flavor and consistency. Set out to come to room temperature.
How To Make Cheesecake Brownies
The Brownie Layer
- Melting chocolate is easy if you have a microwave. Microwave the butter and chocolate for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir well and microwave again for another 30 seconds. Repeat in 15 second intervals until chocolate and butter are completely smooth and well combined.
- In a mixer or a large bowl, add the chocolate and cocoa powder and mix to combine.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, 1 at a time and mix between additions. The only note is that the mixture shouldn’t be hot before adding eggs, which it should have cooled off a bit by then.
- Reserve ⅓ cup of the brownie batter and spread the rest of the batter evenly into prepared pan.
The Cheesecake Layer
- Combine cream cheese and sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat until creamy. Make sure there are no lumps in the batter and it is smooth before the next steps.
- If you can’t get the lumps out, you can heat in the microwave for 10 seconds and see if that helps.
- Stir in egg and vanilla extract.
How To Marble Brownies
Reserve ⅓ cup of the brownie batter and the rest should be spread into a prepared pan. I usually add parchment paper to the bottom of the pan for easy pulling out to cool.
Spread cheesecake evenly over the brownie batter in the pan. Take your reserved ⅓ cup brownie batter and glop over cheesecake layer.
I tend to spread it out haphazardly with a spoon. You can also place spoonfuls or dollops on top, but I find that this method tends to overmix the layers.
Use a knife to swirl brownie batter and cheesecake together. I swirl in figure 8 strokes around the pan all the way to the edges.
Recipe Tips for Perfect Brownies
- When marbling, if the browning batter becomes stiff you can heat it up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- The best brownies start with the best ingredients. Buy quality chocolate that you love to eat! If you love it, you will love it in your brownies.
- Beat your sugar and eggs well and whisk the dry ingredients well too before combining. This will lead to less chance of overmixing.
- Let your chocolate cool 1-2 minutes before adding to the egg mixture. If too hot the heat could potentially cook the eggs.
- As hard as it is, let the brownies cool off before cutting into them. Brownies solidify a bit more as they cool. Also, if you cut into the brownies too early, they will be less moist and fudgy.
- To store, cover with non-stick foil and put in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place. I usually put mine in the microwave. Lasts 3-4 days.
Love Chocolate and Cheesecake? You will love these recipes!
- Peanut Butter Brownies
- Strawberry Cheesecake Rice Krispies
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- New Orleans Pecan Pralines-Our Family Recipe
Frequently asked Questions
Brownies will cook more quickly in metal pans than in glass, which is why there is a cooking window in the recipe. I generally use glass with parchment paper. I usually start testing for doneness at the lower end of the window. You don’t want to open the oven too often.
First, the top should look done and may crack a little. If the brownies jiggle at all when moving the pan, they are not ready. Insert a toothpick or thin knife near the center. Brownies are done when the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs still clinging. If it looks wet, bake about 5-8 minutes more before testing.
It is ok to leave cheesecake brownies out at room temperature for 1-2 days covered tightly. They can also be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.
You can easily make these brownies in an 8×8 or 9x9in baking pan. Just increase the baking time slightly to ensure they are cooked through. Insert toothpick into center of brownies until it comes out clean.
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Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 12 tablespoon Unsalted Butter 1 ½ sticks
- ¾ cup Chocolate Chips 6oz chocolate
- ½ cup Cocoa Powder Dutch Processed or regular is fine
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 cup All-purpose Flour Sifted or no lumps
- 3 Large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Cheesecake Batter
- 8 oz Cream Cheese Softened or Room temperature
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Egg
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Prep the Pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×10 pan with parchment paper. A 9×9 or 8×8 pan will also work. I line the parchment paper so it has excess on at least two sides, which act like handles to lift out the brownies for faster cooling and easier serving.
Brownie Batter (One Bowl Method)
- Combine 12 tablespoon Unsalted Butter and ¾ cup Chocolate Chips in a large, microwave-safe mixing bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well and microwave again for another 30 seconds. Repeat in 15 second intervals until chocolate and butter are completely smooth and well combined.
- Using a spoon, whisk or stand mixer with paddle attachment, add ½ cup Cocoa Powder to the chocolate mixture and stir well.
- Add 1 cup Granulated sugar, stir until completely combined. If your mixture is stiff and cooled down too much, microwave for about 15 seconds to loosen.
- Add 1 cup All-purpose Flour and ½ teaspoon Salt. Stir until completely combined.
- Finally, break 3 Large Eggs and add along with 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract. Stir well to combine.
- Reserve ⅓ cup of the brownie batter and spread the rest of the batter evenly into prepared pan.
Cheesecake Batter
- In a medium sized bowl, combine 8 oz Cream Cheese and ¼ cup Granulated Sugar. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat until creamy. Make sure there are no lumps in the batter, and it is smooth before the next step.
- Stir in 1 Egg and ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract extract. Stir until well-combined.
- Spread cheesecake over prepared brownie batter in pan. Take your reserved ⅓ cup brownie batter (if it has become stiff you can heat it up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds) and drizzle over cheesecake layer.
- Use a knife to swirl brownie batter and cheesecake together.
- Bake on 350°F for 35-40 minutes for an 8×10 pan or until center is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Adjust baking times to add additional time for an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan.
- You can remove from the pan after about 30 minutes with the parchment paper handles. Allow to cool COMPLETELY before cutting and serving.
Gina says
The cheesecake topping was so, so good. Everyone loved them!
Sheila says
Perfect!
Lauren says
Delicious and pretty!
Brent says
Best brownies I’ve had to date.