Cream Cheese Brownie Recipe

This cream cheese brownie recipe is a fantastic dessert when feeding a crowd. They are rich, and chocolatey, and extra moist thanks to the cream cheese swirl and they also look so pretty too! 

Cream Cheese Brownie Recipe slices served on a white plate

WATCH MY VIDEO DEMO OF THIS RECIPE BELOW!

One of my favorite desserts to make is a cream cheese brownie. Seriously, there is nothing more decadent for the chocolate lover than a rich chewy brownie dotted with cream cheese.

They are also quite fun to make, especially if you have kids because creating the swirl effect can be quite an art form.

How do you make cream cheese swirled brownies?

Cream cheese brownies are fairly simple to do, but they do involve making “two batters” a brownie batter and a cream cheese batter, which then will become swirled together.

At first, this may seem like a lot of work, but it really isn’t that bad and once you taste them, you’ll agree they are so worth the effort! 

cream cheese mixture mixed in a kitchen aid stand mixer

You’ll make a cheesecake batter with cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and flour (see recipe below)

chocolate squares and chocolate chips being melted with butter in a sauce pot

And then a classic brownie batter. But really this is the most time-consuming part, after that it’s the fun part…swirling and of course eating them!

Cream Cheese Brownie batter in a foil-lined baking pan ready to go in the oven

Can you add coffee to the brownie mix?

Yes! This is something I do all the time, in a lot of chocolate-based desserts and chocolate sauces because I find it really amps up the flavor of the chocolate. Just be sure to add the “Instant Coffee Granules” that dissolve in hot water (not coffee grounds!)

coffee granules being measured out with a teaspoon

How can you tell when brownies are done?

OK, so this is a bit of a science because if you place a skewer inside the center and it comes out wet, it’s underdone and they will be too mushy and fudgy, if the skewer comes up completely clean they can be overdone and then they’ll be too cakey.

The best time to pull them out in my opinion is when the skewer is not wet but does pull out a few crumbs, this will give you the most perfectly done brownie with a good amount of chew once they are completely cooled…which leads me to the next tip on cutting.

How long do you let brownies cool before you cut them?

Normally I would say at least an hour, but because of the cream cheese these are really best refrigerated for at least 4 hours to firm up and set so that you get a nice clean cut, and overnight is even better!

To serve, I like to cut my brownie squares on the diagonal, turning them into elegant triangles. I find it really elevates the dessert into something architecture and special.

Cream Cheese Brownies sliced into triangles served on a white rectangular platter

This is also a great trick for kids because that way they are only getting a “half-sized” portion, but really don’t know the difference because it’s the “same size” as everybody else, a key determining factor in a child’s view of what is “fair” 🙂

So go ahead and treat yourself to these this weekend! You’ll be SO glad that you did 🙂

MORE GREAT RECIPES!

Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a rating and review below!

Cream Cheese Brownies sliced into triangles served on a white rectangular platter

Beth's Cream Cheese Brownies

Yield: 12 brownies
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 27 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes

Learn how to make Beth's cream cheese brownie recipe from scratch.  So easy and delicious and completely worth the effort! Includes video tutorial.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (240 g) of unsalted butter
  • 4 oz (113 g) semi-sweet chocolate (or about ¾ cup of chocolate chips)
  • 12 oz (339 g) bittersweet chocolate
  • 1 cup (200 g) of sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) instant coffee
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup (120 g) of flour
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
  • ¼ cup (25 g) powdered sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) vanilla
  • 2 tbsp (15 g) flour

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F/176C.
  2. Melt chocolate and butter in a sauce pan on low. Add vanilla and instant coffee, stir to combine. Allow to cool slightly.
  3. Add sugar, and eggs and beat together until smooth.
  4. In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. Whisk to combine.
  5. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture (right in the sauce pan) and whisk until smooth.
  6. Transfer into a 13x 9 (32.5cm x 23cm) pan, lined with foil. Pour brownie batter into pan (Reserving 1 cup of batter for the topping), and smooth with a spatula. Set aside.
  7. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and sugar until combined. Add egg, beat until mixed, add vanilla, beat again, and then add flour, beat until combined.
  8. Pour cream cheese mixture over brownie mixture until completely covered. Then with a spoon or mini ice cream scoop. Dollop brownie mixture every 1-2 inches (2-5cm) across the pan.
  9. Then take a skewer or knife and run it through the brownie dollops and cream cheese mixture horizontally and then vertically. And swirls will form.
  10. Bake for 25-30 mins until brownies are set. NOTE: NOT TO WORRY BROWNIES WILL PUFF UP AND CRACK WHILE IN THE OVEN BUT THEN THEY WILL SETTLE DOWN ONCE COOLED.
  11. Allow to cool and then place in the fridge for 1-2 hours or overnight is even better! They really firm up that way and become very fudgy and easy to cut. So if you can do overnight it’s worth the wait.
  12. Cut into squares and then cut squares on the diagonal to form triangles.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 216Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 160mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 9g

 

Brownie cake scooped into a mug with ice cream

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10 Comments

  1. I’m just starting to learn how to bake and I followed your recipe by watching your video as I did it and I have to say these ended up being amazing I gave some to my brother and he said it was the best thing I have baked yet! thank you so much for the very informational video and your detailed recipe. I look forward to going through your other recipes

  2. Hi Beth!
    Im from Australia, and ive loved watching your recipes especially your dessert ones.
    I recently tried your cream cheese brownies at home for a school event and they were a huge hit.
    Thanks so much for the easy, amazing recipes! 🙂
    Peoly

    1. Hi Peoly! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Aren’t those yummy?! Ha! 🙂 So glad they were a hit!

      1. oh sure it’s 2 eggs for the cream cheese mixture 🙂 3 eggs for the brownies. And yes they are totally to-die-for ha! Hope you enjoy!!

  3. hi beth..
    I just baked those awesome brownies and those were a big hit…yaay
    now I am a huge fan of yours ….always waiting for your awesome recipies