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Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 95 reviews

Deliciously rich and fudgy cream cheese brownies featuring a luscious cream cheese swirl layered atop decadent chocolate brownie batter. These brownies combine a shiny crackly crust with moist, fudgy texture inside and a creamy tangy swirl for an irresistible dessert perfect for any occasion.

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 Swirl

  • 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

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F and position the rack in the center. Line an 8×8-inch pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving a couple inches of overhang on two sides for easy removal of brownies, then grease the lining.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar with the warm melted butter. Let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to dissolve some sugar, then whisk vigorously for 30 seconds. Add eggs, water, and vanilla extract and whisk again for about 30 seconds until well combined.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle the cocoa powder, flour, and salt over the wet mixture. Gently fold with a rubber spatula until the batter is glossy and fully combined.
  4. Separate Batter for Swirl: Remove about one-third of the brownie batter and set aside for the cream cheese swirl. Stir the chocolate chips into the remaining brownie batter and spread it evenly into the prepared pan.
  5. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, flour, egg white, and vanilla extract and beat until just combined, scraping the bowl as needed. Avoid overbeating.
  6. Create Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture and reserved brownie batter alternately across the top of the spread brownie batter in the pan. Use the tip of a knife to gently swirl the two batters together with figure-8 or back-and-forth motions, creating visible swirls without mixing too deeply.
  7. Bake: Bake the brownies for 32-37 minutes until mostly set but still slightly jiggly in the cheesecake areas. Test doneness with a toothpick—some fudgy crumbs and melted chocolate are fine. If the cheesecake starts to darken, tent the pan loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes.
  8. Cool Completely: Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow the brownies to cool completely for several hours before lifting them out of the pan and slicing.

Notes

  • For easier removal, line your baking pan with foil or parchment extending over the edges and grease it well.
  • Do not overmix the cream cheese batter to avoid incorporating too much air.
  • Watch the baking time closely to prevent overbaking; the cheesecake swirl should remain slightly jiggly when done.
  • Use high-quality cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
  • Let brownies cool completely to ensure clean slices and full flavor development.
  • If desired, chilling the brownies after cooling can enhance the texture before serving.

Keywords: cream cheese brownies, fudgy brownies, chocolate swirl brownies, dessert recipe, easy brownies

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/cream-cheese-swirl-brownies-recipe/