Cream Cheese Brownies
Perfect fudgy brownies get a major upgrade in this Cream Cheese Brownies recipe! An easy dessert loaded with cheesecake and chocolate.
Servings: 12
Calories: 473kcal
Ingredients
- ⅔ cups unsalted butter, softened,
- 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
- 3 medium eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Decorating
- ½ cup chocolate chips, for sprinkling over the top of the brownies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with a parchment paper and grease the baking pan. Set aside.
- Place softened butter and chopped chocolate in a large heat-resistant bowl, and melt them in a water bath, stirring together until smooth.
- Remove the bowl with the melted chocolate from the heat and stir in the salt and vanilla extract.
- Mix the white and brown sugars into the melted chocolate, then add in the cocoa powder and the eggs; whisk well until mixture is incorporated and smooth.
- Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour and mix until well combined by using a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter. Use a skewer or knife to swirl the cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the brownies.
- Bake the brownies for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use good quality chocolate: Choose chocolate with high cocoa content for the best flavor.
- Use quality cocoa powder: Cocoa powder will give the brownies a rich chocolate flavor and a fudgy texture.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter can result in cakey brownies. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.
- Don't overbake the brownies: Brownies should be removed from the oven when they are just set in the center. A toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
- Let the brownies cool completely before cutting: This will help the brownies to set and cut neatly.
- Add-ins: Add a tablespoon or two of brewed coffee or brewed espresso to enhance the chocolate flavor. Also, try adding chopped nuts, jam, chocolate chips, or a swirl of peanut butter to the batter for added flavor and texture.
- Butter: You will need to use 2/3-cup softened unsalted butter. That's about 10.5 tablespoons or 151 grams.
Nutrition
Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 221mg | Potassium: 256mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 491IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3mg