Indulge in the rich and decadent combination of cream cheese and chocolate with this easy-to-follow brownie recipe. With step-by-step photos, even novice bakers can create these delicious treats.
They are a cinch to make and always a huge hit with friends and family. Everyone loves the sweet and creamy addition of cheesecake batter.
Table of contents
Why we Love these Cream Cheese Brownies
Indulge in the perfect balance of rich chocolate and creamy cheesecake with this easy and decadent brownie recipe. Impress your friends and family with these irresistible treats. This is one of our favorite brownie recipes with layers of chocolate brownies and cream cheese filling.
I love to make this treat for family reunions, bake sales, birthday parties, and baby showers, but I am sure your loved ones will enjoy it anytime. If you like this sweet treat, try my oatmeal bars, lemon bars, cherry bars, and blueberry cream cheese bars.
Key Ingredients and Shopping Advice
- Chocolate Chips: I use semi-sweet and I prefer Ghirardelli or Guittard.
- Cocoa Powder: Both natural and Dutch cocoa work with this recipe.
- Vanilla extract: Please use pure vanilla extract. It really does make a difference.
- Cream cheese: Full fat works best in baked goods.
How to make Cream Cheese Brownies
Melt the butter and the chocolate chips in a bowl in the microwave at reduced power. Stir in the cocoa powder until dissolved. Stir in sugars, salt, eggs, vanilla extract, and flour. Spread about 3/4 of the batter in a well-greased baking pan.
Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Reduce the mixer to low and add the egg and vanilla extract. Using an offset spatula, spread the cream cheese mixture over the brownie mixture.
Then, add a little water to the reserved brownie batter and drop rounded spoonfuls onto the cream cheese mixture, spacing them. Using a knife or chopstick, swirl the brownie mixture into the cream cheese mixture and bake.
Beth’s Recipe Tips
- These brownies can also be prepared in an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan.
- Use a knife, shish kebab skewer, or chopstick to swirl the brownie mix into the cream cheese, being careful not to go too deep into the bottom brownie mixture or over-swirl.
- Cool the brownies fully before cutting. If you don’t mind chilled brownies, place them in the refrigerator before cutting, making it easier.
How To Cut Cream Cheese Brownies Cleanly
Start by thoroughly cooling the brownies. For best results, refrigerate for several hours. Use a sharp knife warmed under hot water and dried. Wash the knife between slices, warming it under hot water and drying it each time. A rocker-style pizza cutter and ruler work wonders for straight, even cuts, but clean the blade each time for clean cuts. Use the ruler to ensure that your pieces are cut into uniform sizes.
The Difference Between Regular and Dutch Cocoa
Dutch cocoa powder is treated with an alkali to neutralize its acidity. This results in a darker color and a more mellow chocolate flavor. There aren’t leaving agents in this recipe so that you can use either cocoa.
More Chocolate Recipes
Cream Cheese Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies
- 10 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup plus 1 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup flour
- 1 ½ tablespoons water
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese warmed to room temperature for 40 minutes
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 11×7 inch baking dish with aluminum foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Melt the butter and the chocolate chips in the microwave at 1-minute intervals at 50% power until melted and smooth. Stir in the cocoa powder until dissolved. Stir in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, eggs, vanilla extract, and flour. Spread 3/4 of the batter in the prepared pan.
- Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Using an offset spatula, spread the cream cheese mixture over the brownie mixture.
- Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water to the remaining brownie mixture. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the cream cheese mixture spacing them equally apart. Using a knife or chopstick, swirl the brownie mixture into the cream cheese mixture, being careful not to go too deep into the bottom brownie mixture or to over-swirl.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the edges comes out fairly clean and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out slightly gooey.
Notes
- These brownies can be prepared in a 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan as well.
- Both natural and Dutch cocoa work with this recipe.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days. After that, they can be stored in the refrigerator for an additional 5 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months in a sturdy freezer container or a heavy-duty freezer bag.
Nutrition
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Nikki
These are my favorite brownies. I make them at least once a month and everyone loves them. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth!
Caroline
The cream cheese brownies were so yummy and easy to make. Thank you for sharing the recipe. We will make these again.
Ramon
This cream cheese brownie recipe is an absolute delight! I like the rich chocolatey goodness combined with the creamy swirls of cream cheese.
Beth Pierce
Me too, Ramon!
Richard
Great recipe. I love brownies and these were delicious!
Alita Pacio
Oh wow, these cream cheese brownies look so delish. This will quite impress my parents if I make them successfully.
Sonia
These cream Cheese Brownies sound amazing! The combination of rich, chocolatey brownies with a sweet and creamy cheesecake swirl makes my mouth water just thinking about it. I can imagine how perfect these would be for any occasion, from a cosy night with family to a fun-filled birthday party with friends. Thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe!
Christine Weis
YUM! I love brownies!! These brownies look so good! I can not wait to try this easy to follow recipe. Thank you!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Christine!
Heather k
All of my favorite flavors in one brownie. I adore chocolate and cream cheese together, they were so yummy.
Monica
These Cream Cheese Brownies are an absolute delight! The recipe is easy to follow, and the combination of rich chocolate and creamy cheese creates a heavenly treat. Thanks for sharing this scrumptious dessert idea that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. 😋🍫
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Monica!
Karletta
These are sooooo good. Very tempting though. One is not enough.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Karletta! I could not agree more!
rebecca
yum! what a great flavor combo! love cream cheese swirled into brownies
Stacey Crawford
These brownies are the ultimate fudgy treat. The cream cheese takes these to a whole new level.
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more, Stacey!
Dina Miller
These were a hit! Everyone wanted the recipe so sent them your way!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Dina!
Dannii
These brownies were the perfect texture. I loved them!
Sangeetha
Oh, my taste buds are tingling just thinking about these Cream Cheese Brownies! The combination of fudgy brownies with a creamy cream cheese swirl sounds absolutely heavenly. I can imagine the rich, chocolatey flavor of the brownie complemented perfectly by the sweet and tangy cream cheese layer.
Beth Pierce
You have got to try them! You will love them!
Ashely
Made these tonight, just for fun! I love baking and these were SO GOOD!!! One of the best recipes I’ve come across for cream cheese brownies! The brownies are nice and moist! I left it in for 38 mins and it baked perfectly. Thank you!!!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Ashely! I am so glad that you liked the brownies~