Making cheesecake brownies from scratch is easier than it looks. You combine a rich chocolate brownie batter with a smooth cream cheese mixture, then swirl the two together before baking. The result is a fudgy, creamy dessert that gives you brownies and cheesecake in every bite.

What You Need

For homemade cheesecake brownies, you only need a few familiar baking ingredients. Using room-temperature cream cheese helps the cheesecake layer mix smoothly, while melted butter gives the brownie base a rich, dense texture.

You will need:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar for the cheesecake layer

• 1 large egg for the cheesecake layer

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for the cheesecake layer

You can also add chocolate chips if you want an even richer brownie base. Dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate chips all work, depending on how sweet you want the finished dessert.

Before you start mixing, preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Leaving some parchment hanging over the sides will make the brownies much easier to lift out after cooling.

Make the Brownie and Cheesecake Layers

Start with the brownie batter. Whisk the melted butter and sugar together until well combined, then add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until the batter looks smooth and slightly glossy.

Add the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Stir just until everything comes together. Avoid overmixing, as too much mixing can produce a cakier texture instead of the dense, fudgy center people usually want from cheesecake brownies.

Set aside a few spoonfuls of brownie batter for the swirl, then spread the remaining mixture evenly into your prepared pan.

For the cheesecake layer, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, then mix just until combined. The filling should look creamy without any large lumps of cream cheese.

Spread the cheesecake mixture gently over the brownie batter. Drop small spoonfuls of the reserved chocolate batter across the top.

Create the Swirl and Bake

Use a butter knife or skewer to drag through the brownie and cheesecake layers. Make loose curves and figure-eight shapes rather than stirring everything together. A few passes are enough to create the classic marbled appearance.

Bake the cheesecake brownies for around 28 to 35 minutes. The edges should look set, while the center may still have a slight softness. A toothpick inserted into a brownie section should come out with a few moist crumbs rather than wet batter.

Try not to overbake them. Brownies continue to set as they cool, and leaving a little moisture in the center gives you that rich, fudgy texture once they reach room temperature.

Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting. For especially clean slices, refrigerate them for an hour or two after cooling. Chilling firms up the cheesecake layer and makes the marbled squares easier to portion.

How to Get Better Cheesecake Brownies

Temperature makes a difference. Softened cream cheese blends much more easily than cold cream cheese, reducing the chance of lumps in your cheesecake layer.

Measure the flour carefully too. Packing too much flour into the measuring cup can leave your brownies dry. Spoon the flour into the cup and level it off rather than scooping directly from the bag.

For a deeper chocolate flavor, use good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder and avoid baking the brownies longer than necessary. You can also fold chocolate chips or chunks into the brownie batter before adding the cheesecake layer.

Once baked, store cheesecake brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese topping. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving if you prefer a softer, fudgier texture.

Ready to Bake?

Making cheesecake brownies from scratch comes down to three simple steps: prepare a fudgy brownie batter, add a creamy cheesecake layer, and swirl them together before baking. Once you master the basic recipe, you can experiment with chocolate chips, caramel, berries, or other favorite additions.

Give this recipe a try the next time you want a dessert that feels a little more special than ordinary brownies, and explore more homemade baking ideas for your next sweet treat.