If you enjoy a good brownie or cheesecake, then you are going to love this scrumptious cream cheese brownies recipe. They are deliciously fudgy with the perfect amount of cheesecake swirled throughout.
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Chocolate brownies with cream cheese swirl
This recipe for chocolate brownies with cream cheese is my Mom’s recipe. And while there are instructions for frosting in the recipe card, I have never made it. I think these brownies are rich, moist, and well quite heavenly on their own.
Why this is the best marbled cream cheese brownies recipe
This recipe gives you a perfect fudgy brownie. You know the kind that is nice and thick but extremely moist.
First you’ll make brownie batter with a boxed mix. Then you mix up the ingredients for the cheesecake like batter to swirl into the brownie mix.Â
Those two layers alone are absolutely delicious. But, if you want there is also a delicious chocolate frosting to level up the decadence of these cream cheese marbled brownies.Â
Recipe ingredients
Here’s a list of what you need to make the brownies:
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Vanilla extract
- Brownie mix
If you want frosted brownies, here’s what you need for the frosting:
- Butter
- Cocoa powder
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla
How to make cream cheese brownies from a box mix
Here’s how to turn box brownies into cream cheese brownies:
- Beat cream cheese, butter, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, flour, and vanilla into the butter mixture and mix until smooth.
- Prepare brownie batter according to the package directions.
- Pour half of the brownie batter into a greased 13 X 9-inch pan.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter.
- Pour the remaining half of the brownie batter on top.
- Swirl the cream cheese layer into the brownie layer.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes.
- Cool the brownies in the pan on a wire rack.
- Cut the brownies into squares and remove them from the pan. If you are frosting the brownies, frost before cutting them into squares.
- Place all frosting ingredients into a bowl and mix until smooth and well combined.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled brownies.
Do these marbled brownies have to be refrigerated?
You can store these fudgy marbled cheesecake brownies in the fridge if you’d like to, but it is not completely necessary. Since the brownies do not have a large amount of dairy, they do not have to be stored in the fridge.
For regular cheesecakes, you will have to store them in the fridge, but that is because of the amount of cream cheese it takes to make the cheesecake. Any large amount of dairy can grow bacteria if it is left out at room temperature due to the moisture in the cheesecake.
The flour in the brownies will absorb most of the moisture from the cream cheese, which allows them to sit out at room temperature, but they are good either way!
What makes brownies fudgy vs. cakey?
There is a common myth that the amount of eggs you put in brownies can either make them more fudgy or more cakey. Well, that is actually not the determining factor in the overall texture of the brownies.
The amount of fat in the brownies does! In this case, it would be chocolate or oil. The more fat the fudgier the brownies.
With less oil, the leavening agents in the brownies can rise up more and form a more cakelike brownie. And by cakey, I mean a little bit more dry and has a little bit of a spring back when pushed on.
How can you tell when fudgy brownies are done?
One thing that is harder about these cheesecake marbled brownies is determining when they are done. They will still look a little moist, making you think that they aren’t done.
However, there are a few things to look for to test the doneness of the brownies.
Look for Cracks – The brownies on the edge will show a little bit of cracks as the edges always get done first. When you start to see the cracks on the edge you’ll be able to tell a little easier that they are done.
Shake the Pan – Another good way to tell if the marbled brownies are done is to give the pan a little shake. If the middle wiggles, then you know they are NOT done yet. The brownies should be set in the center, so the batter will not giggle if the pan is lightly shaken.
Why are my brownies still raw?
It is easy to think that brownies are done when they are still raw. Since brownies tend to look a little wet, sometimes they are pulled out too early and need to stay for a few more minutes. All ovens vary, so the bake times are suggestions.
Make sure to check for doneness. Look for cracks, and shake the pan gently to see if the center is set up. This will help avoid having raw brownies.
Cheesecake Brownies will delight everyone!
I hope you give this brownie recipe a try. Hands down these are my favorite cheesecake brownie recipe. These cream cheese swirl brownies have been a staple in my house for as long as I can remember. I hope you give this recipe a try today!
Love brownies? Try these recipes!
- Brownie Bottom Cheesecake
- Pancake Mix Brownies
- Hershey Cocoa Brownies
- Homemade Brownie Mix
- Kahlua Brownies
- Pecan Pie Brownies
- Red Velvet Brownies
- Turtle Brownies
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Recipe source: Judy Eynard. Topeka, KS. 1974.
Cream Cheese Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 18 ounces brownie mix
Chocolate Brownie Frosting (optional)
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Soften the cream cheese and butter by warming them in the microwave for a few seconds.
- Beat together the cream cheese, butter, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, flour, and vanilla into the butter mixture and mix until smooth.
- Prepare brownie batter according to the package directions for cake-like brownies.
- Grease a 13 X 9-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pour half of the brownie batter into the pan.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter.
- Pour the remaining half of the brownie batter on top.
- Swirl the cream cheese layer into the brownie layer.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. It is best to err on the side of the brownies to be a little underdone, as they are nice and gooey then.
- Cool the brownies in the pan on a wire rack.
- Cut the brownies into squares and remove them from the pan. If you are frosting the brownies, frost them before cutting into squares.
Chocolate Brownie Frosting (Optional)
- Place all frosting ingredients into a bowl and mix well. When you start to mix frosting together it may seem a little dry, but it will blend together.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled brownies.
Lonnie Bauer
I would like a CpoyKat recipe of Baker’s Square Marbled Rye Bread. The crust reminds me of a pretzel bread crust! Yummm!