Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Irresistible Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Rich chocolate dreams meet creamy decadence in this unexpected brownie crust chocolate cheesecake masterpiece.

Layers of indulgence peek through each tempting slice, promising pure bliss.

Chocolate enthusiasts will melt at the first forkful of this divine dessert.

Texture contrasts dance between the fudgy base and silky smooth filling.

No ordinary dessert could compete with such a luxurious combination.

Baking skills shine through in this show-stopping treat that impresses without complexity.

You’ll want to slice into this heavenly creation right now.

Highlights of Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake

  • Chocolate Lover's Dream
  • This recipe requires basic baking skills, making it accessible for home bakers of all levels. Simple steps and standard ingredients guarantee a foolproof dessert experience.
  • Total preparation takes around 90 minutes, with actual hands-on time approximately 30 minutes. Minimal active cooking allows you to multitask while creating a stunning dessert.
  • Perfect for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or dinner parties. Combines two beloved desserts- brownies and cheesecake- into one irresistible treat that will impress guests and satisfy chocolate cravings.
  • Can be prepared a day in advance, reducing day-of stress. Refrigerating overnight enhances flavor development and provides convenient serving flexibility for busy hosts.

Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake Ingredient Breakdown

Brownie Crust:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the brownie layer together. Choose unbleached flour for better texture.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color. Dutch-processed cocoa works best for intense taste.
  • Salt: Enhances the chocolate flavor and balances sweetness.
Fats and Sweeteners:
  • Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar: Creates a moist and tender brownie base. Use fresh butter for the best flavor.
  • Eggs: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients. Room temperature eggs mix more smoothly.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides depth and complements chocolate flavor. Pure vanilla extract offers the best taste.
Cheesecake Layer:
  • Cream Cheese: Forms the creamy base of the cheesecake. Full-fat cream cheese ensures a smooth, rich texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake layer. Use fine sugar for smooth incorporation.
  • Eggs: Helps set the cheesecake and provides structure. Room temperature eggs blend more evenly.
  • Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and creamy texture. Full-fat sour cream works best.
  • Chocolate: Creates a rich, decadent chocolate flavor. Use high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate for best results.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.

How to Make Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake

Step 1: Create Decadent Brownie Base

Preheat oven to 350F. Grab a springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Melt butter and whisk together with sugar, eggs, and vanilla until silky smooth. Sift cocoa powder, flour, and salt into the mixture. Gently fold ingredients until just combined. Spread batter evenly in the pan and bake for 15 minutes. Let the crust cool down while preparing the next layer.

Step 2: Whip Up Chocolate Cheesecake Filling

Lower oven temperature to 325F. In a large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese and sugar until ultra-creamy. Add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Incorporate vanilla and sour cream. Carefully fold in melted chocolate until the mixture becomes luxuriously smooth and uniform.

Step 3: Layer and Bake the Masterpiece

Gently pour cheesecake mixture over the cooled brownie crust. Smooth the top with a spatula to create an even surface. Slide into the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Look for set edges with a slight wobble in the center. Once done, turn off the oven and crack the door open. Let the cheesecake rest inside for one hour to prevent unsightly cracks.

Step 4: Chill and Dress Up the Dessert

Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor development. When ready to serve, carefully remove from the springform pan. Dress up your creation with:
  • Fluffy whipped cream
  • Chocolate shavings
  • Fresh berries
  • Chocolate drizzle
  • Dusting of cocoa powder

Tips for Baking Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake

  • Perfect Brownie Base: Use high-quality cocoa powder for rich, intense chocolate flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
  • Prevent Cracking Technique: Allow the cheesecake to cool gradually inside the oven with the door slightly open to minimize surface cracking and ensure a smooth, professional finish.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream to room temperature before mixing to create a silky, lump-free cheesecake batter with perfect texture.
  • Chocolate Melting Hack: Melt chocolate using double boiler method or microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently to avoid burning and achieve smooth consistency.
  • Slice Cleanly Trick: Wipe your knife with hot water between each cut to create clean, precise slices without dragging the creamy cheesecake filling.

Storage and Reheating for Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake

  • Store the cheesecake in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
  • Wrap the entire cheesecake or individual slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Warm individual slices gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Alternatively, let the slice sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften slightly.
  • For the best taste and texture, enjoy the cheesecake chilled directly from the refrigerator. The flavors tend to be more pronounced and the texture remains creamy when cold.

What to Serve with Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake

  • Rich, dark espresso cuts through the cheesecake's creamy sweetness, creating a luxurious flavor explosion that highlights the chocolate's deep notes.
  • A small glass of raspberry liqueur adds bright, tangy complexity that complements the dense chocolate brownie crust and brings out subtle fruit undertones.
  • Choose a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Port wine, which matches the dessert's intense chocolate profile and provides a smooth, velvety drinking experience that echoes the cheesecake's decadent texture.
  • A scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream offers cool, creamy contrast to the warm chocolate flavors, creating a balanced and indulgent dessert moment.

Flavor Variations for Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix to create a celiac-friendly dessert that maintains rich chocolate flavor.
  • Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake Alternative: Substitute cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese, use coconut cream instead of eggs, and replace butter with coconut oil for a plant-based version.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Cheesecake: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of traditional sugar, and incorporate dark chocolate with higher cocoa percentage to reduce overall sugar content.
  • Keto-Friendly Brownie Cheesecake: Replace regular flour with coconut or almond flour, use sugar substitutes like erythritol, and incorporate full-fat cream cheese to align with ketogenic dietary requirements.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Irresistible Brownie Crust Chocolate Cheesecake blends rich chocolate layers with creamy decadence, creating a dessert that seamlessly marries indulgent textures. Chocolate lovers will savor each luxurious bite of this heavenly masterpiece that promises pure culinary bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups (460g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅔ cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder

Dairy and Sweetener Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 24 ounces (680g) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar

Dry and Binding Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Craft the Foundational Brownie Base

Melt butter and blend with sugar, eggs, and vanilla until silky and uniform. Gently sift cocoa powder, flour, and salt into the mixture, folding carefully to maintain a smooth texture. Transfer the rich batter into a prepared springform pan, ensuring an even distribution. Roast in a preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes, creating a dense, fudgy foundation. Allow the crust to cool and settle, developing its robust chocolate character.

  1. Develop the Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake Layer

Lower the oven temperature to create a gentler baking environment. Whip cream cheese and sugar until achieving a luxurious, velvety consistency. Incorporate eggs methodically, blending thoroughly after each addition. Introduce vanilla and sour cream, stirring until the mixture becomes exceptionally smooth. Delicately fold melted chocolate into the batter, creating a decadent, uniform composition that promises rich, intense flavor.

  1. Construct and Transform

Cascade the chocolate cheesecake mixture over the cooled brownie base, using a spatula to create a perfectly level surface. Position in the oven and bake until the perimeter firms and the center maintains a subtle, seductive wobble. After cooking, deactivate the oven and slightly prop the door, allowing the cheesecake to gradually cool and prevent unsightly fracturing.

  1. Finalize and Garnish

Refrigerate the dessert for several hours, permitting complete solidification and flavor melding. Carefully release from the springform pan. Embellish with delicate whipped cream, elegant chocolate curls, or vibrant fresh berries. Slice and serve this indulgent masterpiece, celebrating the harmonious marriage of brownie and cheesecake.

Notes

  • Ensure brownie crust is fully cooled before adding cheesecake layer to prevent sinking or mixing of layers.
  • Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for smoother, lump-free cheesecake batter that blends easily.
  • Create gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix in brownie crust.
  • Prevent cheesecake cracking by avoiding overmixing, using gentle folding technique, and allowing slow cooling inside oven.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 493
  • Sugar: 32g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 34g
  • Saturated Fat: 21g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 43g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 129mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star