That sounds like the start of a rich and delicious treat! Here’s the full recipe for Cheesecake Brownies, along with variations and tips to make them even better.
Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients:
For the Brownie Layer:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Construction:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the brownie batter:
- In a bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
- Sift in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir until combined.
- Pour most of the brownie batter into the prepared pan, reserving about 1/4 cup for swirling later.
- Make the cheesecake layer:
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gently spread the cheesecake mixture over the brownie batter in the pan.
- Swirl:
- Drop spoonfuls of the reserved brownie batter over the cheesecake layer.
- Use a knife or toothpick to swirl the two layers together for a marbled effect.
- Bake:
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
- Let cool completely before slicing for the best texture.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownies: Fold mini chocolate chips into the cheesecake batter.
- Peanut Butter Swirl: Add a few tablespoons of melted peanut butter on top before swirling.
- Mocha Brownies: Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the brownie batter.
- Oreo Cheesecake Brownies: Crush Oreos into the cheesecake layer for a cookies-and-cream twist.
Tips:
- Use room temp ingredients for a smooth cheesecake layer.
- Don’t overbake! The center should still be slightly jiggly—it will set as it cools.
- Chill before cutting for the cleanest slices.
- Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Let me know if you want any other variations!