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These rich, decadent cream cheese brownies have gorgeous swirls of cream cheese running through them. You’ll love this mouthwatering take on brownies with their rich cream cheese filling that blends beautifully with the smooth, sweet chocolate. They’re fudgy and soft and ooey-gooey inside like all the best brownies are! So, if you want to elevate your usual brownies, consider adding the magic ingredient, which is cream cheese, and you can experience a brand new flavor.
If you are in the mood for brownies but you want something a little bit different, why not try this delicious brownies with cream cheese recipe? They really are good!
Also try Oreo chocolate chip cookies or chocolate coconut magic bars. Chocolate cherry brownies and confetti squares are always popular!
Why You’ll Love It
Easy: Making brownies isn’t hard at all and if you can combine ingredients you can make the perfect brownie batter, which you will then bake to perfection! There’s nothing difficult about this recipe.
Tasty: These brownies with their chocolate layer, cream cheese layer and topping layer are so delicious. If you love brownies and you also like the tang of a good cheesecake, you won’t regret making these.
Special: These extra-special cheesecake brownies are perfect for that special occasion, since they are different from the standard brownies recipe with their tangy cream cheese layer. So, if you want to bake for a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion, this is the recipe for you!
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Brownies
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Cocoa powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder, not hot chocolate mix which is pre-sweetened.
Chocolate chips: Semisweet chocolate chips are perfect in these brownies.
Brown and white sugar: For sweetness.
Cream cheese: Soften it to room temperature for easier mixing.
All-purpose flour: One of the main ingredients in brownies.
Vanilla extract: For a complementary vanilla flavor.
How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Start the brownie batter: Whisk the cocoa powder, salt and flour in a bowl, and put one of the egg yolks and egg whites in their own bowls.|
Add more ingredients: Microwave the butter then add the chocolate chips and stir them in, then add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, whole eggs plus one egg yolk and stir.
Finish off the brownie batter: Stir the flour mixture into the brownie batter and stir until well combined, then mix a little water with a cup of the batter, so you have one big bowl of batter and one smaller bowl with more watery batter.
Put the batter in a prepared pan: Grease a square 8-inch baking pan (here) and then add parchment paper and spoon in all the brownie batter from the large bowl.
Prepare the cream cheese topping: Next, beat softened cream cheese and then add white sugar and beat some more. Beat in the egg whites and add some.
Add the cream cheese layer: Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the batter in prepared pan and then finish off with the rest of the reserved brownie batter mixture, swirling with a knife tip to make a marbled pattern.
Bake the brownies: Bake the brownie batter for about half an hour or until the edges are cooked.
The finishing touches: Let the cream cheese brownies cool on a wire rack for a couple of hours, then cut, serve and enjoy the fudgy brownies.
Substitutions and Variations
Chocolate chips: You can use unsweetened chocolate or even white chocolate chips in this dessert if you prefer.
Vanilla extract: Swap the vanilla extract for another flavor, such as almond, hazelnut or even coconut.
Add a topping: Spread chocolate fudge frosting on top.
Serving Suggestions
For dessert: These cream cheese filled brownies make a great dessert or a nice sweet treat for a special occasion. You could even pair them with brownie sundae waffle bowls and double chocolate cherry brownies.
With a drink: Pair brownies with anything from a tropical fruit smoothie to an iced gingerbread latte, or enjoy them with a passion fruit martini after dinner.
How to Store Cream Cheese Marble Brownies
Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 or 5 days.
Freeze: Freeze them in a freezer bag and eat within 3 months for the best result.
Thaw: Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Top Tips
Preparing the baking sheet: Don’t skip the greasing or lining with parchment paper, otherwise your brownies might stick.
Room temperature cream cheese: Soften your cream cheese to room temperature if it’s been in the refrigerator, to make it easier to mix.
Cool completely: You’ll get the neatest edges if you cool the brownies completely before slicing.
Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies FAQs
The center should still be soft but the edges should be soft. If a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with just a few crumbs, it’s done. If it’s covered in liquid batter, cook for a further 5 minutes then check again.
The issue could be you added the wrong amount of flour or got the bake time wrong. Use a kitchen scale to ensure you use the perfect amount of flour – 3/4 cup of flour should weight 100 grams.
Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe
Cream Cheese Brownies
Equipment
- Baking Pan 8-Inch Square
- Spatula Soft Silicone
- Cookie Scoop Small
Ingredients
- ¾ Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ Cup + 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs, large
- ½ Cup unsalted butter
- 2 Ounces chocolate chips, semi-sweet
- 1 ½ Cups brown sugar
- 2 Teaspoons vanilla extract, pure
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 8 Ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- ½ Cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line the bottom of an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium-sized bowl whisk together, the cocoa powder, ¾ cup flour, salt and set aside.
- Separate the white and yolk from one egg and place them each in a small bowl and set aside
- Heat butter in a large microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips. Let it sit until the chocolate has softened (about 3 to 4 minutes). Stir until smooth.
- Add the brown sugar, stirring until incorporated into the chocolate mixture.
- Add the vanilla and 2 eggs and the yolk of the third egg, and stir until well combined.
- Add the flour mixture to the big bowl of the chocolate mixture and stir with a soft silicone spatula until the brownie batter is well combined.
- Place 1 cup of the batter in a small bowl, mix in 2 tablespoons of water and set aside.
- Transfer the big bowl of brownie batter to the prepared baking pan using an offset spatula or soft silicone spatula to smooth the batter (the batter will be thick). Set aside while making the cream cheese topping.
- In a large bowl with a handheld mixer, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy, slowly add in the granulated sugar and continue beating. Add the egg white and continue to beat until smooth. Sprinkle in the 1 tablespoon of flour and stir until well combined.
- Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, dollop the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter, spacing them evenly in the baking pan. Repeat with the reserved chocolate batter mixture, filling in the spaces between the cream cheese dollops.
- Using the tip of a knife, gently swirl the top ¼-inch layer of the cream cheese & chocolate batter mixture together.
- Place the baking pan on the center rack in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the edges are baked but the center is soft but doesn’t jiggle when shaken.
- Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 2 hours before cutting.
Notes
Room temperature cream cheese: Soften your cream cheese to room temperature if it’s been in the refrigerator, to make it easier to mix.
Cool completely: You’ll get the neatest edges if you cool the brownies completely before slicing.
Nutrition
These chocolate cream cheese brownies are so rich and delicious. Just you try eating only one of these – it’s very hard. You will definitely want another! They’re the perfect mix of crisp on the outside and soft and fudgy on the inside. The brownie batter is simple to make and layering the mixture is also easy. Pop the layered brownie batter in the oven and in half an hour you’re going to be able to enjoy the most delicious brownies you ever had!
Other Recipes to Try
- Double Chocolate Cherry Brownies are a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
- Experience the comforting nostalgia of Just Like Starbucks Oat Bars.
- Satisfy your sweet tooth with Canadian Date Bars with Oatmeal Topping.
- Nanaimo Bars are a gorgeous sweet treat everyone always loves!
- Celebrate life’s little joys with the colorful and fun Confetti Squares.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These were dangerously good! The cream cheese swirl added such a rich, tangy layer to the fudgy brownies. I’ll never go back to plain brownies again.
These were so rich and indulgent. It’s our family’s fave so I can’t tell you how many times I made these.
These cheesecake brownies are an absolute treat! Cream cheese swirls make them irresistible. 😋
This was a flavor explosion. Absolutely amazing!
I love the addition of the cream cheese. It is the best dessert!!
The best brownies I’ve tried! Love this recipe!