Best Brownie Cheesecake 🍰: A Swirled Masterpiece of Chocolate & Cream
When you take two iconic desserts—brownies and cheesecake—and swirl them together, magic happens. This Brownie Cheesecake is fudgy, creamy, and over-the-top indulgent. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because you deserve a treat, these swirled bars are guaranteed to steal the show.
Why I Love This Recipe
It’s the best of both worlds: rich chocolate brownie and smooth, tangy cheesecake. The contrast in textures and flavors makes every bite exciting. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make, and it looks like it came straight from a bakery.
Ingredients
For the Brownie Layer:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper or grease it well.
➤ Time: 10 minutes
2. Make the Brownie Batter
In a medium bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir until smooth.
➤ Time: 10 minutes
3. Prepare Cheesecake Layer
In another bowl, beat cream cheese until creamy. Add sugar, egg, and vanilla, and beat until smooth.
➤ Time: 5 minutes
4. Assemble
Spread ¾ of brownie batter into prepared pan. Pour cheesecake layer over it. Drop remaining brownie batter in spoonfuls on top, and swirl with a knife.
➤ Time: 5 minutes
5. Bake
Bake for 35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center slightly jiggles.
➤ Bake time: 35 minutes
6. Cool & Chill
Cool at room temperature for 1 hour. Then chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour for the best slicing and texture.
➤ Chill time: 1 hour
Tips for Success
- Use softened cream cheese to avoid lumps in the cheesecake swirl.
- Don’t overbake—the center should be slightly jiggly when removed from the oven.
- Use a butter knife or skewer for beautiful swirls—don’t overdo it!
Serving Suggestions
Serve these chilled for the best texture. Want to elevate even more? Try pairing it with:
- Brownie Batter Dip – for double-chocolate indulgence
- Edible Cookie Dough – a playful no-bake treat to contrast the baked richness
- No-Bake Oreo Cream Pie – great for parties and chocolate-lovers
- Big Family Banana Pudding – adds a fruity, creamy contrast
- No-Bake Monster Cookie Energy Balls – for a quick grab-and-go snack alongside
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store covered for up to 5 days—serve chilled or bring to room temp.
- Freeze: These freeze well! Slice, wrap individually, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
These Brownie Cheesecake Bars combine the best parts of dessert into one show-stopping treat. They’re rich, creamy, and simple enough for a weeknight yet impressive enough for a celebration. Once you try them, they’ll be on permanent dessert rotation.
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