Description
Rich chocolate swirls of cheesecake brownies dance with creamy cream cheese and deep cocoa. Chocolate lovers will savor each indulgent bite of this classic dessert that marries two beloved treats into one delectable square.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
- Brownie Base Creation: Melt chocolate and butter together, then whisk in sugar, eggs, and vanilla until the mixture becomes glossy and uniform, creating a rich chocolate foundation.
- Cheesecake Layer Preparation: Blend cream cheese with sugar and egg until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain in the mixture.
- Layering and Swirling: Spread the chocolate brownie batter evenly in the prepared pan, then strategically drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top. Use a knife to create intricate marbled patterns, gently swirling the two batters together.
- Baking Process: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, looking for a set center and slightly cracked surface that signals perfect doneness.
- Cooling and Setting: Remove from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan, which helps the cheesecake layer stabilize and the chocolate base to firm up.
- Serving Preparation: Lift the entire dessert out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang, then slice into precise squares for an elegant presentation.
- Final Refinement: Refrigerate the brownies for at least one hour to enhance texture and flavor, transforming them into a chilled, decadent treat.
Notes
- Prevent Overbaking: Monitor brownies closely after 30 minutes to avoid dry, crumbly texture; insert a toothpick near center which should come out with few moist crumbs.
- Cheesecake Swirl Technique: Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother blending; create elegant marbling by dragging a knife through dollops in figure-eight motions for professional-looking patterns.
- Temperature Control: Allow ingredients like eggs and cream cheese to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure even incorporation and smoother batter consistency.
- Dietary Adaptation: Substitute gluten-free flour blend for standard flour, use dairy-free cream cheese alternative, and select dark chocolate without milk solids to accommodate various dietary restrictions while maintaining rich, decadent flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg