Bless this Mess
menu icon
search icon
×

Cheesecake Brownies

Published: · Modified: by Melissa · 10 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Cheesecake Brownies are a rich, chocolate filled brownie topped with a creamy cheesecake layer to create a dessert combination that is simply divine.

Have you ever heard of anything better than a brownie mixed with cheesecake?! This dessert will knock you off your feet. It is simple to whip up and uses ingredients that you most likely have in your kitchen right now. 

cheesecake brownie squares

Cheesecake Brownies

Brownie cheesecake bars are a showstopper. They look fancy but are so easy to make. These bars always receive rave reviews whenever I make them. Brownie cheesecake bars are sturdy enough to be cut into shapes making them perfect for sharing with friends. 

This recipe uses dark cocoa powder, such as Hersey’s Special Dark. It is amazingly chocolaty without being bitter. It’s a great thing to have on hand and I now use it in 90% of recipes that call for cocoa.

cheesecake brownies stacked on a plate

Can the brownies be stored in the freezer?

Of course! The frozen bars can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. The cheesecake layer can feel slightly more sticky after it comes out of the freezer, but it is still tasty.

Do Cheesecake Brownies have to be refrigerated?

These brownies can be kept at room temperature for 1 or 2 days, but if you want the bars to last longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to one week.

slices of cheesecake brownies stacked on a plate

How can I tell when cheesecake brownies are done baking?

You will know when the bars are done baking because the center will be set. You don’t want to over bake them. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes before cutting.

top view of a pan of cheesecake brownies

More Brownie Recipes:

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
cheesecake brownie squares

Cheesecake Brownies

  • Author: Melissa Griffiths- Bless This Mess
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 24 brownies 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Brownie Cheesecake Bars are a rich chocolatey brownie topped with a creamy cheesecake layer to create a beautiful and divine dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Layer:

  • 3 ¼ cups flour
  • 2 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup dark cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup milk, plus 2 tablespoons (divided)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Cheesecake Layer:

  • 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease with butter or cooking spray a 13×18 jelly roll pan and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Stir to combine.
  3. In a small bowl add the eggs, oil, ¼ cup milk, and vanilla. Whisk the wet ingredient to combine.
  4. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredient and pour the wet ingredients into the center. Mix until well combined or with the cookie paddle attached of a stand mixer, mix on medium-low speed until well combined. The batter will be very thick.
  5. Remove about ¾ cup of the batter and put it in a small bowl (or the bowl the wet ingredients just came out of) and set aside. Spread the rest of the batter in the bottom of the greased jelly roll pan.
  6. To make the cheesecake layer, combine the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer and beat on medium speed until well combined and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  7. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat another minute until well combined. Spread the cheesecake layer evenly on top of the brownie layer in the pan.
  8. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of milk to the batter that you saved in the small bowl. Use a fork to whisk and combine it well. Drop the now thinned batter by small spoonfuls over the cheesecake layer and then use a toothpick to marble the cheesecake and thinned batter together. You just pull the toothpick across the top of the dessert with a bit of swirling motion. Do this until it is marbled as much as you like.
  9. Bake the bars for 28-30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking.
  10. Let the bars cool in the pan for 20 minutes before cutting.

Notes

  • Dark cocoa powder, such as Hersey's Special Dark, is amazingly chocolaty without being bitter. It's a great thing to have on hand and I now use it in 90% of recipes that call for cocoa.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cheesecake brownies, how to make cheesecake brownies, brownies with cheesecake top, cheesecake brownie recipe

Top picture is of brownie cheesecake bars stacked up top of each other, the bottom picture is of a top view of brownie cheesecake bar squares, with the words "brownie cheesecake bars" written in the middle

Make Brownie Cheesecake Bars recipe for an easy to please dessert, with a dark chocolatey fudgy layer topped with creamy marbled cheesecake. The best of both worlds.

«
»
Craving More

Take the hassle out of meal planning with: Dinner Made Easy, a FREE 1 week meal plan with full shopping list, easy dinners, nutrition information, serving suggestions for each meal, and more!

about me

About Melissa

Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. bloominghomestead

    I made some cheesecake brownies last month and they were such a hit! Super yum!

    Reply

    • Melissa

      Was it similar to this recipe?! I wouldn't mind a thicker brownie layer... do share!

  2. Rachel

    Also I really want to pin this but can't figure out how. What am I missing?

    Reply

    • Melissa

      Are you on a mobile device or a PC? I have no idea how to do it from a device, but if you are on a PC or laptop you should be able to hold your mouse over any picture and then a little "Pin It" picture will pop up in the corner then you can click on it and it works. I totally want to be pin-able, it's great for me, so you let me know if it isn't working because it is worth my time to fix and figure out for sure! I'm so glad you like them... we are making them for company on Sunday and I'm counting down the days!!!

  3. Rachel

    So I immediately made the red velvet ones when you posted those. I remembered that I had made them before and that they were pretty good, but mostly cute. I thought I'd give them to my VTs. Well the VT appointments fell through and I'm so glad because that meant I needed to make another treat, and then you posted these. Perfect timing. And it turns out...these are to die for! SOOOO good! You are my favorite.

    And PS, at the VT appointment today, she mentioned how much she loved the gingerbread blondies I brought at Christmas--also one of your recipes. Keep up the good work fattening me up.

    Reply

  4. Laraine

    Okay these look amazing!!!! I NEED to make these. We need to come see your house.

    Reply

  5. Amy D

    Hmm... brownie and cheesecake? Say no more , I'll take one! 😉 Found your blog from the cards we drew facebook fanfare link.... Might have to add these to my To BAKE list! thanks for sharing!!

    Reply

    • Barb

      Hello,
      I have a box of brownies that is scrumptious for a quick fix. Can I incorporate that with the cheesecake part to make these squares?

  6. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain

    Yeah, a couple of my favorite things...these look great 🙂 And hey, congrats on your newest contributor spots!!

    Reply

    • Melissa

      Thank you so much (and these are SO good!) I hope you make them...