Cheesecake Swirled Brownies (Print Version)
Fudgy chocolate brownies swirled with creamy cheesecake layer for an irresistible dessert.
# Recipe Ingredients:
→ 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 oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - Whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until fully combined.
03 - Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Fold in chopped dark chocolate.
04 - Reserve 1/4 cup of brownie batter. Spread remaining batter into prepared pan, smoothing top evenly.
05 - Beat cream cheese until creamy. Mix in granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and lump-free.
06 - Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over brownie batter in pan.
07 - Drop spoonfuls of reserved brownie batter over cheesecake layer. Use knife or skewer to swirl batters together for marbled effect.
08 - Bake 32-35 minutes until center is just set and toothpick inserted comes out with few moist crumbs.
09 - Cool completely in pan before lifting out and cutting into squares.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between fudgy chocolate and tangy cream cheese creates pure magic
- These look fancy but come together with simple pantry ingredients
- They stay incredibly moist for days, making them perfect for sharing
02 -
- Overbaking is the enemy of fudgy brownies, pull them out when they still look slightly underdone
- Room temperature ingredients prevent lumps in your cheesecake layer
- Chilling the brownies for a few hours makes cutting cleaner and the flavors more intense
03 -
- Use a light colored metal pan for the most even baking and rise
- A clean knife dipped in hot water between cuts gives perfect squares
- Adding espresso powder to the brownie batter deepens the chocolate flavor