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Easy Fudgy Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

Close-up of a fudgy cream cheese brownies square showing the dark chocolate base and white cream cheese swirl.
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Make rich, fudgy brownies with a creamy, tangy cream cheese swirl baked right in. This recipe creates a marbled, decadent dessert bar.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
  • 1 large egg (for filling)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for filling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the paper.
  2. Prepare the brownie batter: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and 2 cups of sugar together until combined.
  3. Beat in the 4 eggs one at a time until the mixture is smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Prepare the cream cheese layer: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  6. Spread two-thirds of the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  7. Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter. Pour the remaining one-third of the brownie batter over the cream cheese dollops.
  8. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the batters together to create a marbled pattern. Do not over-swirl.
  9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
  10. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment overhang and cutting them into squares.

Notes

  • For easier swirling, ensure the cream cheese mixture is slightly warmer than room temperature.
  • If you prefer a thicker cream cheese layer, use a 9×9 inch pan instead, but reduce the baking time by about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Chill the cooled brownies for at least one hour before slicing for the cleanest cuts.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://sundayflavor.com/cream-cheese-brownies/