Sweet & Fudgy Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies Recipe

Sweet and decadent cream cheese swirl brownies dance between rich chocolate and tangy cream cheese layers.

Chocolate lovers find pure bliss in this delightful dessert.

Soft, fudgy textures melt together in perfect harmony.

Creamy white ribbons weave through dark brownie batter like delicate marble patterns.

Each bite promises a luxurious combination of intense cocoa and smooth dairy notes.

Simple ingredients create magical results in your kitchen.

You will absolutely want to experience this irresistible treat right now.

How to Make Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to 350º F. Grab an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan and line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Give it a quick spray of non-stick cooking spray so nothing sticks.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Cocoa powder

Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 3: Melt Chocolate Magic

Pull out a small saucepan and set it on low heat. Drop in chopped unsweetened chocolate and butter.

Stir gently until everything melts into a smooth, glossy mixture. This should take about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Whip Up Wet Ingredients

• Granulated sugar
• Whole eggs
• Extra egg yolk

Grab an electric mixer and beat until the mixture turns pale yellow and looks super fluffy.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Pour the melted chocolate into the egg mixture.

Splash in vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Slowly fold in the dry ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined.

Step 6: Prepare the Base

Set aside about 1/3 cup of batter. Pour the rest into your prepared pan and smooth it out evenly.

Step 7: Create Cream Cheese Goodness

• Room temperature cream cheese
• Granulated sugar
• Whole egg

Mix until silky smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off.

Step 8: Swirl Like an Artist

Pipe the cream cheese mixture in a grid pattern over the brownie batter. Take a butter knife and drag it through the grid to create beautiful swirls.

Add the reserved batter to fill any gaps and create more swirly designs.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

• Glass pan: 35-38 minutes
• Metal pan: 30-35 minutes

Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Want less fudgy brownies? Bake a bit longer.

Step 10: Cool and Slice

Let the brownies cool completely before cutting. This helps them set and makes for perfect squares.

Expert Tips for Creamy and Perfect Brownies

• Try different chocolate types to customize the brownie's richness and depth of flavor.
• Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smoother blending and easier swirling.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain the brownies' fudgy texture and prevent toughness.
• Use parchment paper with overhanging edges for easier removal and clean cutting of brownies.
• Cool brownies completely before slicing to prevent crumbling and achieve clean, precise cuts.

Flavor Variations for Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

• Gluten-Free Brownie Variation: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix, maintaining the same measurement for a celiac-friendly dessert.
• Vegan Cream Cheese Swirl Option: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use dairy-free chocolate, and replace cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese alternative.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Lovers Version: Swap granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use dark chocolate with higher cocoa content for reduced sugar impact.
• Nutty Chocolate Decadence: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the brownie batter for added crunch and nutty flavor profile.

Best Pairings for Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

• Pour a glass of ruby port wine, which balances the rich chocolate with its sweet, fruity undertones and enhances the creamy texture of the brownies.
• Brew a hot espresso or strong black coffee to cut through the sweetness, providing a robust contrast that highlights the dessert's deep chocolate notes.
• Top brownies with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or hazelnuts over the brownies to add a crunchy texture and nutty depth that complements the creamy cream cheese swirl.

Storage Guidelines for Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

• Store brownies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between each piece. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining optimal texture and flavor.
• Wrap the entire uncut brownie block tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Separate brownies, wrap each separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe ziplock bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.

FAQs

• Why do I need to use both unsweetened chocolate and cocoa powder?

The combination provides deeper chocolate flavor and richer texture. Unsweetened chocolate adds intense chocolate base while cocoa powder enhances overall chocolate intensity.

• Can I use milk chocolate instead of unsweetened chocolate?

No, milk chocolate contains sugar and will alter the recipe’s balance. Unsweetened chocolate allows precise control over sweetness and provides authentic brownie structure.

• What's the purpose of adding an extra egg yolk?

The extra egg yolk increases fat content, creating more moisture and richness. It helps produce fudgier, more decadent brownies with a smoother texture.

What Makes Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies So Decadent

• Craft Swirled Perfection: Create a stunning dessert that looks professionally made with beautiful cream cheese swirls, transforming ordinary brownies into an Instagram-worthy treat.
• Master Bakery-Level Technique: Learn an advanced baking method that allows home cooks to practice professional swirling techniques, elevating basic brownie skills to gourmet levels.
• Crowd-Pleasing Chocolate Delight: Combine rich chocolate with tangy cream cheese for a dessert that satisfies multiple flavor preferences, making it perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Use basic pantry staples to produce an impressive dessert that looks complicated but requires minimal special ingredients, allowing bakers of all skill levels to succeed.

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

• Unsweetened Chocolate: A rich, intense chocolate that provides deep flavor and contributes to the brownie's deep color.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, moist texture in the brownies.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures additional moisture and helps create a tender brownie texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Enhances the chocolate flavor and deepens the dark color of the brownies.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structural base for the brownie batter.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the overall sweet flavor of the brownies.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a smooth, glossy brownie texture.
• Whole Eggs, Egg Yolk: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the rich, dense brownie consistency.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, creamy swirl that contrasts with the rich chocolate base.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture.
• Whole Egg: Helps bind the cream cheese mixture and provides structure.

• Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile of the brownies.

Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate brownies with cream cheese swirl bring indulgent comfort to dessert lovers. Marbled layers create a luxurious treat that satisfies chocolate and cheesecake cravings in one delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs (whole)
• 1 large egg yolk
• 4 oz cream cheese (at room temperature)
• 8 tbsps unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)
• 2 oz unsweetened chocolate (finely chopped)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour OR gluten-free flour (King Arthur’s GF Measure for Measure Flour)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, lightly spraying with non-stick cooking spray.

1. Whisk together flour, salt, and cocoa powder in a mixing bowl. Set aside for later use.

1. Melt unsweetened chocolate and butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until smooth and fully combined, approximately 5 minutes.

1. In a separate large bowl, beat granulated sugar, whole eggs, and additional egg yolk with an electric mixer for 1 minute until the mixture turns pale yellow and doubles in volume.

1. Fold the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Add vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Gently incorporate the flour mixture until just combined.

1. Separate and reserve 1/3 cup of the batter. Spread the remaining batter evenly in the prepared pan.

1. Create the cream cheese mixture by blending room temperature cream cheese, sugar, and egg with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or ziplock bag with a corner cut.

1. Pipe the cream cheese mixture in a grid pattern over the brownie batter. Use a butter knife to create swirling patterns. Add the reserved batter to fill gaps and create additional swirls.

1. Bake for 30-38 minutes, depending on pan type. Glass pan requires 35-38 minutes, metal pan 30-35 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

1. Allow brownies to cool completely at room temperature before cutting and serving.

Notes

• Choose high-quality unsweetened chocolate for richer, more intense brownie flavor that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature precisely to ensure smooth swirling and perfect texture without lumps.
• Drag knife gently and minimally through cream cheese and brownie batter to create elegant marbled patterns without overmixing.
• Substitute gluten-free flour blend for all-purpose flour and use dairy-free cream cheese alternative to accommodate different dietary requirements.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 270 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 110 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg