These decadent, chocolatey brownies are topped with a layer of cream cheese. An unlikely pairing, these beautiful cream cheese brownies are both creamy and chocolatey, perfect for when you crave something sweet!

Lately, I've been on something of a cream cheese kick. I've never really baked/cooked with cream cheese before, but then I made these cream cheese cookies and realized that cream cheese is an amazing ingredient to include in my baking! After experimenting a little with some different recipes, I've found that I really like these cream cheese brownies, despite it being somewhat of an unlikely combination!

This recipe is made with a simple brownie base and a layer of a cream cheese mixture on top. To make the top layer, simply beat together cream cheese, sugar, an egg yolk, and some vanilla extract. Then, spread the mixture over the brownie batter and swirl in some brownie batter as well to create the black-and-white marble effect on top.

While it does seem like a strange combination, the final result tastes pretty great. The cream cheese provides a fresh, light taste to the thick, dense brownies. It's a perfect combination of fudgy-ness and airiness. It also makes for a beautiful design on the top.

INGREDIENTS FOR CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES:

There are two sets of ingredients needed for this recipe: the ingredients for the brownie batter and the ingredients for the cream cheese layer.

For the brownie batter:

• 4 ounces of semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 8 ounces of unsalted butter
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 and ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup of cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

To make the cream cheese layer:

• 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup of granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

TO MAKE THE CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES

1. First, melt the chopped chocolate and butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
2. Once it's fully melted, remove it from the heat. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the sugar. Let it cool fully before adding anything else in.
3. Whisk in the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract into the wet mixture.
4. Using a large sifter, add in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt to the bowl. Fold all the ingredients together. The batter should be thick.
5. Take about ¾ of the batter and spread it into a prepared 9x9 brownie pan. Set aside the remaining ¼ of batter as it will be used to create the swirl effect.
6. In another bowl, cream the sugar and cream cheese together until fluffy. Add in egg yolk and vanilla extract and keep beating until fully incorporated.
7. Take spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture and place it on top of the brownie layer. At this point, place spoonfuls of the remaining brownie batter on top as well.
8. Using a knife, spoon, etc, spread the cream cheese and brownie batter on top of the first layer, swirling to create the marble effect.
9. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

TIPS

Feel free to personalize this recipe and put add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts into the brownies! Add-ins would only serve to enhance these brownies!

Whenever I bake brownies, I really love this brownie pan. It's so great for making sure your brownies are always a beautiful square shape! I've been using it for years and it has never let me down!

Get the Scoop on some other delicious recipes:

• Easy, Fudgy, And Chocolatey Homemade Brownies
• Simple Chicken & Vegetable Lo Mein
• Apple Pie Oatmeal
• Double Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe
• Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Crush Cookies

Yield: 12

Layered Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe

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These layered brownies combine a classic, chocolatey brownie recipe with cream cheese, making for an unexpected yet delicious dessert!

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

Brownie Layer

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• 4 ounces of semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 8 ounces, or 1 stick, unsalted butter
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 and ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup of cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Layer

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• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup of granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Prepare a 9x9 brownie pan.
2. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the chopped chocolate and butter together. Stir frequently.
3. Once melted completely, transfer the chocolate/butter mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the sugar and set aside to cool fully.
4. After it has cooled, whisk in the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Combine all the ingredients until just incorporated.
5. Take about ¾ of the batter and spread it into the pan. Batter should be very thick. Leave the ¼ batter in the bowl for later.
6. In another bowl, make the cream cheese layer. Combine the cream cheese and sugar together with a beater or a whisk. Add in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fluffy.
7. Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture on top of the brownie layer. At this point, add the remaining ¼ of the brownie batter in spoonfuls as well. Using a knife, spread the spoonfuls of cream cheese and brownie batter and create the swirl effect.
8. Bake for about 30 minutes and enjoy!