Cheesecake Topped Brownies

Cheesecake brownies are known to be complicated. But you don’t have to be intimated by cheesecake brownie recipes anymore, because I spent an entire week just baking and testing brownies. I took my own trial-and-error and used it to create an easy step-by-step guide, so you can have delicious brownie bottom cheesecake bars with no guesswork.

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Excellent. Beth’s instructions and comments were perfect and most helpful. I followed everything exactly. I only had a 9″ metal pan so I used that and cut the time slightly as she recommended. The cheesecake brownies were delicious (made them last night). Not hard to make. Thank you, Beth!

-Karen

Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

In my recipe, you won’t have to worry about all of the issues people normally run into when baking homemade cheesecake brownies, like uneven layers, or dry, over-cooked brownies. I’ve been there, done that, and found the ways to make sure it doesn’t happen. 

Keep reading and don’t skip my tips section below!

I adore my homemade brownie recipe.  I spent a whole week just baking and testing brownies to create my classic brownie recipe. It’s fudgy, slightly chewy and so rich with chocolate flavor that it demands a glass of milk. 

I knew I needed to pair the brownies with cheesecake, thanks to the growing baby inside of me who loves sweets and especially cheesecake! 

I already have a recipe on my site for cream cheese swirl brownies, but I wanted this recipe to be a true cheesecake brownie that had a distinct brownie layer and distinct cheesecake layer. 

Think of it almost like cheesecake bars with a brownie crust. 

Cheesecake Brownie Ingredients

Indulgence meets perfection in this ultimate dessert mashup! Get ready to elevate your sweet tooth experience with the irresistible combination of creamy cheesecake and decadent brownies.

Brownie Ingredients

• ¾ cup all purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 stick unsalted butter, cubed, 1/2 cup
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cheesecake Ingredients

• 1 ½ packages cream cheese, 8 oz packages for a total of 12 oz, room temperature
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk

How to Make Cheesecake Topped Brownies

Cheesecake brownies are a 2 step process.

1. homemade brownie batter
2. cheesecake batter

It’s critical to bake the brownies just until a crust forms, then add the cheesecake batter. If you don’t bake the brownies until a crust forms, the cheesecake batter will sink into the brownies, rather than staying on top of the brownie layer. 

Make the Brownie Batter

1. Prepare the brownie batter first and get that baking in the oven. For a glass 8×8 inch pan I baked my brownies for 23-25 minutes, until a crust formed.
2. When looking for the crust to form, look for a color change in the brownies, the top will be a little lighter in color and might appear shiny. You can also carefully touch the brownies with a finger to determine if the crust formed. You shouldn’t have any brownie batter stick to your finger.
3. See the difference in the photo below. Left photo: brownie batter before going into the oven. Right photo: brownies that have formed a crust.

Make the Cheesecake Batter

4. Once the crust forms, remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes.
5. Next, carefully pour the cheesecake batter over the brownies. I noticed that evenly pouring the batter over the brownies is key, instead of dumping it all in one place. 
6. Return the brownies to the oven and bake for 22-27 minutes. At this time check on the cheesecake to see how jiggly it is. If it’s still jiggly in the center, tent the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 4-5 additional minutes. 

Tips for Cheesecake Layer

• Allow the cream cheese and eggs to come to room temperature before beating it. Room temperature cream cheese is easier to whip.
• The eggs are the last ingredient that get mixed into the cheesecake batter. Be sure to mix them in, just until the yolk breaks. Over beating the eggs is the number one cause of air bubbles and cracking.
• The cheesecake is done when the center wobbles a little when you jiggle the pan, but it should not look wet or liquidy. The edges of the cheesecake should look firmer than the center.

How to Store Cheesecake Topped Brownies

Storing cheesecake-topped brownies properly helps maintain their freshness and deliciousness. Here’s a guide on how to store them:

• General Storage Instructions: Allow the cheesecake-topped brownies to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make them soggy.
• Refrigeration: Due to the cheesecake topping, it’s best to store these brownies in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container, or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. This keeps the brownies moist and preserves the cheesecake layer.
• Duration: Typically, cheesecake-topped brownies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Beyond this time, their texture and flavor might start to degrade.
• Layering: If stacking the brownies in a container, place parchment paper or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Freezing Option: For longer-term storage, wrap individual portions or the whole pan tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before freezing. They can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
• Best Serving Temperature: Before serving, if the brownies have been refrigerated or frozen, allow them to sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly. This enhances their flavor and brings them to a more enjoyable temperature.

Remember, cheesecake-topped brownies are at their prime when fresh. While they can be stored, their texture might change slightly over time. Enjoy them within the recommended storage period for the best taste and quality!

How to Freeze Cheesecake Brownies

These cheesecake brownies have been one of my go-to desserts that I’ve been grabbing out of the freezer during my pregnancy. 

Allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature. Then cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for 2+ hours. Chilled bars are easier to cut!

Cut the bars into your desired size. Next, wrap a row at a time in plastic wrap then in aluminum foil. Place everything inside a ziplock bag and freeze.

To thaw: remove the number of bars you want and place them on the counter until thawed. 

Cheesecake Brownie FAQs

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Brownie Cheesecake Bars

By: Beth

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

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Perfect cheesecake brownies don’t have to be complicated anymore! When you follow my easy step-by-step guide, you’ll have delicious brownie bottom cheesecake bars with just 15 minutes of prep and no guesswork.

Ingredients

Brownie Layer

• ▢ ¾ cup all purpose flour
• ▢ ½ tsp salt
• ▢ ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• ▢ 1 stick unsalted butter, cubed, 1/2 cup
• ▢ 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 1 large egg yolk
• ▢ ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cheesecake Layer

• ▢ 1 ½ packages cream cheese, 8 oz packages for a total of 12 oz, room temperature
• ▢ ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 1 large egg yolk

Instructions 

Brownie Layer

• Preheat the oven to 350º F.  Remove the cream cheese and eggs from the fridge for the cheesecake layer to come to room temperature. Line a 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray. 
• In a mixing bowl, combine the properly measured flour, salt and cocoa powder. Stir together with a spoon until mixed. Set aside. 
• In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the chopped unsweetened chocolate and cubed butter. Stir occasionally until it’s fully melted, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a larger mixing bowl, beat the sugar and eggs plus additional egg yolk with an electric mixer for 1 minute, until the mixture is pale yellow and doubled in volume. 
• Once the chocolate is melted, pour it into the egg mixture. Then add the vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Stir with a spatula to combine. 
• Spoon the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing with a spatula just until combined. Do not continue to mix the batter once you can no longer see flour. 
• Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and bake for 23-25 minutes, just until a crust forms on the top of the brownies. When looking for the crust to form, look for a color change in the brownies, the top will be a little lighter in color and might appear shiny. You can also carefully touch the brownies with a finger to determine if the crust formed. You shouldn’t have any brownie batter stick to your finger. 
• Once a crust has formed, remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the cheesecake layer. 
  

Cheesecake Layer

• In a medium mixing bowl, beat 1 & 1/2 packages of cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth, about 60-90 seconds.  Add in the egg and egg yolk, beating for about 30-60 seconds. 
• Carefully pour the cheesecake batter over the brownies. I noticed that evenly pouring the batter over the brownies is key, instead of dumping it all in one place. Use a spatula to spread the cheesecake batter to the edges of the pan. Return the brownies to the oven and bake for 22-27 minutes. At this time check on the cheesecake to see how jiggly it is. If it’s still jiggly in the center, tent the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 4-5 additional minutes. The aluminum foil will prevent the cheesecake from browning.
• Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature. Then cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for 2+ hours.
• Cut into bars and serve. For clean cuts, fully wipe the knife clean between slices. 

Notes

GLUTEN FREE Cheesecake Brownies

I’ve made this recipe with both regular and gluten free flour with awesome results on multiple occasions. I recommend King Arthur’s Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour. Use it as a one for one substitute for regular flour.

Note

I used a glass 8×8 inch baking pan. You can use a metal pan, I would recommend decreasing the baking time by 5 minutes – so check the brownies for a crust around 18-22 minutes. Metal pans heat up faster.

Nutrition

Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 723IU | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition Disclosure

All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

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