These classic Cheesecake Brownies are the perfect combination of soft, chewy brownie swirled with a sweetened cream cheese layer! They’re a rich and indulgent treat for any occasion that can be made ahead or frozen for extra ease.
Listen I love a good fudgy brownies. And I love a good slice of creamy cheesecake. But when you can have two desserts in one?
Game. Changer.
Why have one dessert when you can have two in one? And as much as I love cheesecake, making it can be a pain. So if I can swirl it on top of a chocolatey brownie you know I’m going to do that.
Ingredients You Will Need
To make these cheesecake brownies go ahead and round up from your pantry…
- Flour – Be sure to measure your flour correctly as well. Using a weighing scale is always best if you can.
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cocoa Powder – I used natural unsweetened cocoa powder here. Not dutch process which is different. Don’t mix them up! They don’t react the same way and can result in differences in your brownies in the end. You can read here about Natural Cocoa Vs Dutch Process Cocoa Powder.
- Butter – We’re adding salt, so I recommend using unsalted vs. salted butter can vary by brand as to how much salt they use! If you only have salted then I recommend reducing or completely omitting the added salt in the recipe.
- Eggs
- Sugar – To sweeten the brownies and the cheesecake. I prefer using granulated sugar. Brown sugar I find adds a little too much moisture, so granulated sugar works best here.
- Vanilla
- Chocolate chips
- Cream cheese
How to Make Cheesecake Brownies – Step by Step
Prep the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter or spray a 8×8 pan and line with parchment paper.
Make the cheesecake filling. Beat the cream cheese mixture until smooth about 1 minute. Add in your sugar and vanilla and beat until very smooth (about 1 to 2 minutes). Add in your egg and mix until combined. Set the filling aside.
Make the brownie batter.
Be sure to not overmix the batter once the flour has been added, which can result in a very tough brownie.
Assemble the brownies. Reserve 1/3 cup of brownie batter for swirling. Pour the rest of the batter into the prepared baking pan. Pour cheesecake filling on top and smooth into an even layer.
Then use a spoon to drop tablespoons of the reserved brownie batter evenly over the cheesecake filling.
Swirl the batters by running a clean knife through the filling in a criss-cross or zig-zag pattern.
Bake. Bake on the center rack for 30-35 minutes. The cheesecake filling will look puffy and dry.
Recipe Tips
- Use quality ingredients. For the best flavor and texture, choose high quality chocolate and cream cheese.
- Don’t overmix. The cheesecake should be mixed at a low speed until just smooth or combined to avoid cracks. The brownie batter should be mixed until just combined to avoid a tough, dense brownie.
- Cut brownies after chilling. For clean, straight lines wait to cut the brownies until they are thoroughly cooled. Even better, chill them in the fridge for a few hours before cutting.
- For fudgy brownies: This brownie is a little less fudgy and a little more cake-like due to the whipped eggs in the mixture. If you prefer a more fudgy brownie, then take it out of the oven a little sooner.
- Bake In A Light Colored Metal Pan – Glass pans will take longer and could result in a gummy texture. Dark pans will cook the edges too quickly. So be sure to use a light colored baking pan.
Baking Pan Recommendations
I always recommend baking brownies in a metal baking pan, as oppossed to a glass pan. If you do use a glass pan it will take longer for the brownies to cook and can result in a gummy texture. And make sure you aren’t using a dark pan which can cause the edges to cook through before the middle does resulting dry, even possibly burnt edges.
This is the baking pan I love and use to bake brownies in. I also like lining my pan with parchment paper so I can easily lift the brownie out and cut into squares.
Recipe FAQ’s
Store the brownies in an air-tight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can freeze the whole slab of brownies in the pan for a 1-2 hours, then take them out of the pan and wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before putting them back in the freezer. Or you can cut and wrap the brownies individually and freeze that way. Freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw at room temperature before serving.
Yes to both! You can make them ahead and store in the fridge for 1-2 days before serving,
Other Indulgent Desserts to Try
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Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/3 cup (67 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
For the Brownies
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick, 113 g) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup (42 g) natural cocoa powder
- 2/3 cup (132 g) granulated white sugar
- 1/3 cup (142 g) light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375F degrees. Lightly butter an 8×8 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
For the Cheesecake Layer
- Beat the cream cheese mixture until smooth about 1 minute. Add in your sugar and vanilla and beat until very smooth (about 1 to 2 minutes). Add in your egg and mix until combined. Set the filling aside.
For the Brownies
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Stir in cocoa powder and sugars.
- Stir in eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in flour and salt.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Reserve about 1/3 cup of the brownie batter to be swirled on top later. Spread the rest of the batter into your prepared pan. Pour your cheesecake filling over and smooth to cover the brownie batter. Then with a spoon drop tablespoons of the reserved brownie batter evenly over the cheesecake filling. With a clean knife, run the knife through the filling in a criss-cross pattern to swirl the brownie and cheesecake together.
- Place in the oven on a center rack and bake for 30-35 minutes until cheesecake is set and slightly puffy. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack to completely cool. Then remove from the pan and cut into squares.
Notes
- Storage: Store the brownies in an air-tight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Make Ahead: You can make them ahead and store in the fridge for 1-2 days before serving, or make long ahead and freeze. You can freeze the whole slab of brownies in the pan for a 1-2 hours, then take them out of the pan and wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before putting them back in the freezer. Or you can cut and wrap the brownies individually and freeze that way. Freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Use quality ingredients. For the best flavor and texture, choose high quality chocolate and cream cheese.
- Don’t overmix. The cheesecake should be mixed at a low speed until just smooth or combined to avoid cracks. The brownie batter should be mixed until just combined to avoid a tough, dense brownie.
- Cut brownies after chilling. For clean, straight lines wait to cut the brownies until they are thoroughly cooled. Even better, chill them in the fridge for a few hours before cutting.
- Bake In A Light Colored Metal Pan – Glass pans will take longer and could result in a gummy texture. Dark pans will cook the edges too quickly. So be sure to use a light colored baking pan.
Beth says
These brownies are amazing and so addicting! My hubby and daughter absolutely loved this recipe! Definitely on our remake list.
Heather says
Aw that’s awesome Beth glad to hear it 🙂
Hmw says
I would like to say I would have the strength to freeze some of these but from the way they smell they aren’t going to last long.
Heather says
No judgement here 🙂 Glad you love them!
Sarah Baumeister says
Two of my favorite desserts in one! Thanks for the tip about freezing– super helpful.
Heather says
You’re welcome Sarah! 🙂
Elise says
I appreciate the note on what type of baking pan to use – I’m terrible at baking so it was a really useful tip! Can’t wait to make these!
Heather says
You’re welcome Elise! 🙂
Emily Flint says
I’m with you, I love a good brownie and I really love cheesecake so these brownies were the perfect combination of both!! Thanks for the step-by-step guide!
Heather says
Thanks Emily 🙂 and glad you found the step by step helpful!
Taki says
In the beginning you say 9×13 turn the photos are 8×8 and in the directions it’s 8×8 so which is it?
Heather says
My apologies Taki- it is an 8 by 8 pan. I fixed the typo! Thanks 🙂