Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe

side view of 3 stacked cream cheese brownies.

5 from 29 votes

Cream Cheese Brownies are fudgy homemade treats that are swirled with sweetened cream cheese. They're easy to make and even easier to love!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Prep Time30

Cook Time40

Total Time1 10

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: brownies

Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
8x8-inch Baking Pan
Hand Mixer

Ingredients

For the Brownies

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 170 grams
½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature and cut into quarters (1 stick)
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 21 grams
1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
¼ cup brown sugar 53 grams
3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract 6 grams
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup all-purpose flour 120 grams

For the Cream Cheese Topping

8 ounces cream cheese 227 grams, room temperature (1 brick)
¼ cup granulated sugar 50 grams
1 large egg 50 grams, room temperature
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
In a double boiler set over low heat, melt chocolate chips and butter, stirring occasionally, until smooth.
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, ½ cup unsalted butter
Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder, then set it aside to cool for 10 minutes.
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Whisk in the sugars and stir until completely combined. Add the eggs and whisk well.
1 cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, 3 large eggs
Stir in the vanilla and salt, then fold in the flour until just combined. Set aside and prepare the cream cheese topping.
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 cup all-purpose flour
Place the cream cheese and sugar in a medium bowl, and use a hand mixer to beat until it’s combined and creamy, about 2 minutes.
8 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup granulated sugar
Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
1 large egg, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan, reserving about ¼ cup and setting it aside. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter. Drop the remaining brownie batter over the cream cheese layer, then use a knife to swirl the layers together.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean with only a few fudgy crumbs.
Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting and serving.

Video

Notes

Try stirring whole chocolate chips (or cream cheese chips) into the batter for even more flavor. Or toss in a handful of chopped walnuts for crunch.
Swirl some peanut butter or Nutella mixed with powdered sugar into the cream cheese mixture for fun flavor and a marbling effect, or try swirling in some fruit jam or lemon curd.

Storage: Store cream cheese brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition