Introduction

Cream Cheese Brownies combine the rich, fudgy texture of classic brownies with a tangy, creamy cheesecake swirl. This easy recipe creates a beautiful marbled treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Expect a shiny crust with a tender, moist interior.

The image shows two stacked dessert squares with three distinct layers. The bottom layer is thick, dark brown, and dense, resembling a rich chocolate brownie with chocolate chips embedded. The middle layer is creamy white and smooth, like a cheesecake filling, evenly spread between the brownie layers. The top layer is a mix of white cheesecake and dark chocolate swirls, creating a marbled pattern with a slightly melted, glossy texture. These dessert squares are placed on a white marbled surface, with some chocolate chips and crumbs scattered around, adding to the rich and indulgent feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter, melted (still warm/hot)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup chocolate chips
8 oz block cream cheese (softened)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 large egg white
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and position a rack in the center. Line an 8×8-inch pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal, and grease it.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and warm melted butter. Stir briefly, then let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to begin dissolving the sugar. Afterward, whisk vigorously for 30 seconds.
Step 3: Add the eggs, water, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Whisk again for about 30 seconds, then remove the whisk, tapping off excess batter.
Step 4: Sprinkle the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, and kosher salt evenly over the wet ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until the batter is glossy and well combined.
Step 5: Scoop out about one-third of the brownie batter and set it aside for the swirl layer. Stir the chocolate chips into the remaining batter, then spread it evenly in the prepared pan.
Step 6: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth using a mixer. Gradually add sugar, flour, egg white, and vanilla extract, beating until just combined. Avoid overbeating.
Step 7: Using two tablespoons, dollop alternating portions of the cream cheese mixture and the reserved brownie batter over the chocolate layer in the pan.
Step 8: Use the tip of a sharp knife to swirl the batters together gently in a figure 8 or back-and-forth motion. Aim for visible swirls without mixing too deeply.
Step 9: Bake for 32 to 37 minutes until the brownies are mostly set but the cheesecake sections still jiggle slightly. A toothpick should come out with moist crumbs and melted chocolate. Avoid overbaking; if the cheesecake starts to darken, loosely cover the pan with foil for the last 5 minutes.
Step 10: Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack before lifting out and slicing.

Tips & Variations

For extra fudgy brownies, substitute half the chocolate chips with chopped bittersweet chocolate.
Use parchment paper instead of foil for easier cleanup and a smoother surface.
Try adding a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Allow the brownies to chill for a few hours after baking to make slicing cleaner and the texture firmer.

Storage

Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, warm individual pieces briefly in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften the cream cheese swirl without melting it completely.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of several square brownies with two distinct layers: a dark brown, dense chocolate base and a creamy white cheesecake layer swirled with rich chocolate patterns on top. Each square piece highlights the marbled effect where the white and dark chocolate mix in elegant, swirling lines. The brownies are placed on a surface with a white marbled texture, which adds brightness to the dark and creamy tones of the dessert. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular cream cheese instead of softened?

Softened cream cheese is essential to ensure smooth mixing and even swirls. If your cream cheese is cold, allow it to come to room temperature before using.

Why does the brownie batter need to rest before whisking?

Letting the sugar sit in the warm melted butter helps begin dissolving the sugar, which contributes to a shiny, crackly crust on the brownies.

Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 125 reviews

These Cream Cheese Brownies combine rich, fudgy chocolate brownie batter with a smooth, tangy cream cheese swirl, creating a decadent dessert with a shiny, crackly crust and creamy texture. Perfectly baked to achieve a moist, fudgy center with visually appealing swirls, these brownies are an indulgent treat for any chocolate lover.

Author: Stella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 16 brownies (about 2-inch squares) 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Batter

½ cup unsalted butter, melted (still warm/hot)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup chocolate chips

Cream Cheese Mixture

8 oz block cream cheese (softened)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 large egg white
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the center. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving a couple inches of overhang on two sides for easy extraction, then grease it lightly.
Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar with the hot melted butter. Stir briefly and allow the mixture to rest undisturbed for 5 minutes so the sugar begins to dissolve, aiding in achieving a shiny, crackly crust. After resting, whisk vigorously for about 30 seconds. Add the eggs, water, and vanilla extract, whisking again for 30 seconds until well combined. Clean excess batter from the whisk.
Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, and kosher salt over the wet ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until the mixture is glossy and homogenous.
Set Aside Swirl Batter: Scoop out about one-third of the brownie batter and set aside for the cream cheese swirl. Stir the chocolate chips into the remaining batter and spread this evenly in the prepared pan.
Make Cream Cheese Mixture: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, flour, egg white, and vanilla extract and beat until evenly combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a creamy texture.
Create Swirls: Using two tablespoons, alternate dropping dollops of the cream cheese mixture and the reserved brownie batter evenly over the chocolate chip brownie layer. With the tip of a sharp knife, gently swirl the two batters together, moving in a figure-8 or back-and-forth motion, avoiding deep swirling so the layers remain distinct and visible.
Bake: Bake for 32 to 37 minutes until the brownies are mostly set but the cream cheese areas still slightly jiggle. Check doneness with a toothpick; moist, fudgy crumbs and melted chocolate are fine. To prevent the cream cheese swirls from darkening too much, cover loosely with foil during the last 5 minutes if needed.
Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before lifting out using the foil/parchment overhang and slicing.

Notes

Using hot melted butter helps dissolve sugar to create the crackly brownie crust.
Do not overmix the cream cheese mixture to avoid tough texture.
Swirling lightly preserves visually distinct cream cheese patterns and texture contrast.
Check brownies at 32 minutes to avoid overbaking; a slight jiggle in cream cheese parts is desirable.
Using foil or parchment paper with overhang makes removing the brownies easy and clean.

Keywords: brownies, cream cheese brownies, chocolate brownies, swirl brownies, dessert, chocolate dessert, cream cheese swirl