You can add a cream cheese filling to any brownie mix to make cheesecake brownies. There are two ways to do this: either swirling the cream cheese filling through the brownie batter or putting a cream cheese layer over the brownie batter to make a layered dessert. We’ll describe both ways.
Swirled Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 brownie mix
- 2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large egg yolks
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Dust with flour or line with parchment paper.
- Mix the brownie batter according to mix instructions. Set aside.
- For the cream cheese filling, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat it in. Add the egg yolks and beat until smooth. Set aside.
- Pour half of the chocolate batter into the prepared pan. Spoon half of the cream cheese filling onto the batter in pools. Pour the rest of the chocolate batter over the cream cheese pools. Spread smooth. Spoon the remaining cream cheese filling in pools over the top of the brownie batter.
- Hold a table knife or spatula vertically and cut through the batters just until the two batters are swirled together. Do not over mix.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the brownies test done by sticking a toothpick or knife into the center of the pan. The brownies will be done when moist crumbs cling to the toothpick or knife. Let the brownies cool completely before removing them from the pan.
Layered Cheesecake Brownies
This method makes a cream cheese dessert with a brownie crust.
Ingredients
- 1 brownie mix
- 2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Dust with flour or line with parchment paper.
- Mix the brownie batter according to mix instructions and pour the batter into the prepared pan. Set aside.
- For the cream cheese filling, beat the cream cheese, flour, and sugar together until smooth but not whipped. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Pour the batter onto the prepared brownie batter.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the cake is done. The cake should be set with only the center jiggly. A knife inserted one inch from the center should come out clean when done. Let cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate the cheesecake to cool completely.
Topping Your Cheesecake Brownies
Trim and slice strawberries or wash raspberries. Place a couple of tablespoons red currant jelly in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the jelly until it starts to melt, about 20 seconds. Stir in the berries.
To serve, cut the brownies into squares. Place each on a dessert plate. Top with berries and a dollop of whipped cream.
