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Cream Cheese Swirled Chocolate Brownies Recipe

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4.4 from 52 reviews

Deliciously rich and fudgy cream cheese brownies featuring a luscious cream cheese swirl on top of a classic chocolate brownie base. These brownies are baked to perfection with a crackly crust and moist, decadent interior, making them a perfect treat for any chocolate lover.

Ingredients

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Brownie Batter

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (still warm/hot)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup chocolate chips

Cream Cheese Mixture

  • 8 oz block cream cheese (softened)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg white
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the center of the oven. Prepare an 8×8 inch pan by lining it with foil or parchment paper, leaving a couple inches of overhang on two sides for easy removal later. Grease the foil or parchment.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and the warm melted butter. Stir briefly and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to allow the sugar to start dissolving, which helps create a shiny, crackly crust. Then whisk vigorously for 30 seconds. Add 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon water, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, whisking well for another 30 seconds. Remove the whisk once combined.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle ⅔ cup cocoa powder, ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon flour, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt over the wet ingredients. Gently fold with a rubber or silicone spatula until the batter is glossy and well combined.
  4. Divide Batter: Scoop out about one third of the brownie batter and set it aside for the cream cheese swirl layer. Stir ½ cup chocolate chips into the remaining batter, then spread this mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
  5. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese until smooth. Add ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 egg white, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until combined, scraping sides and bottom as needed. Avoid overbeating to maintain texture.
  6. Create the Swirl: Use two tablespoons to alternately drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture and the reserved brownie batter over the chocolate chip batter in the pan. With a sharp knife tip, gently swirl the batters together on the surface using figure-eight or back-and-forth motions. The goal is to create visible swirls without mixing the layers deeply.
  7. Bake: Bake for 32-37 minutes, until the brownies are mostly set but the cream cheese swirls still have a slight jiggle. Test doneness with a toothpick; moist fudgy crumbs are expected. Avoid overbaking, and if the cream cheese starts darkening, loosely cover the pan with foil for the last 5 minutes.
  8. Cool: Remove the brownies from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Let cool completely, which can take several hours, before lifting out of the pan using the foil overhang and slicing.

Notes

  • Using warm melted butter helps partially dissolve sugar and creates a shiny, crackly crust on the brownies.
  • Properly swirling without overmixing ensures beautiful marble patterns and distinct cream cheese pockets.
  • Do not overbake; the brownies should be fudgy and moist, especially around the cream cheese areas.
  • Allowing the brownies to cool completely before cutting ensures clean slices and proper texture.
  • For extra chocolate richness, you can increase the chocolate chips up to ¾ cup.

Keywords: cream cheese brownies, chocolate brownies, fudgy brownies, cream cheese swirl, baked dessert, chocolate dessert, easy brownies

Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/cream-cheese-swirled-chocolate-brownies-recipe/