It’s time again to share another insanely delicious recipe from my dear, baker-extraordinaire friend, Danielle, of Hugs & Cookies XOXO. There are oodles of Danielle’s recipes I need to try…so we may be at this for a while. Today, Danielle is featuring one of my recipes…I can’t wait to see which one she picked!
I took these to a New Year’s party…and without even asking, I was given the perfect recipe review. As I walked by the table of men discussing football and other manly subjects, holding my tray of goodies, one of the guys commented, “These are a molecular chocolate explosion in my mouth.” It may not surprise you that he’s a notable nephrologist who happens to delve into the world of research . I’ll have to tell hubby that he needs to up his creativity when I’m begging for commentary.. .the usual “good, really good” just doesn’t cut it anymore!
To make these beauties, a brownie batter is spread in an even layer on the bottom of a prepared 8 x 8 inch pan, then topped with dollops of chocolate cheesecake batter. The goal was to swirl and marbleize the cheesecake batter into the brownie batter with a knife. Uh, guess I’m not so good at that, so I’d recommend just smoothing out the second layer on top of the first. If you like chocolate AND cheesecake, you’ll need add these to your baking schedule.
You can find Danielle on her blog, Hugs & Cookies XOXO, Facebook, or Twitter.
Ingredients
- Recipe courtesy of Hugs and Cookies via Baking Bites
- Brownies:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2/3 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Cheesecake:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º. Line an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch pan with non-stick foil (or with regular foil sprayed with non-stick spray). Set aside.
- Gently melt chocolate and butter in microwave, stopping and stirring till smooth. Mix in cocoa powder. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, eggs and vanilla. While whisking, slowly pour chocolate into mixture. Stir till smooth. Sift flour and salt into the bowl and stir till just combined. Pour into prepared pan and smooth top. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, cocoa powder, egg and vanilla till smooth. Drop over brownie batter. Smooth over top (may swirl batters together with knife if desired...I did not).
- Bake for 35-40 minutes till brownies and cheesecake are set. Knife inserted into center of brownies should come out clean.
- Cool completely before cutting and serving. Store covered and refrigerated.
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow Lizzy! Your brownies make my imagination run wild and send my taste buds into orgasmic overdrive!
How’s that for commentary?
I love the expression of “molecular chocolate explosion”! I can totally imagine how delicious it is from that comment!
Lizzy, I am at a loss for words, so I’ll just say WOW!!!
LOL! Molecular chocolate explosion is high praise indeed. Obviously, this is a must try recipe. Kudos to you and Hugs & Cookies XO =)
P.s. Even without the description, your photos would make me want to save the recipe.
My boyfriend was looking at the screen right now while I was reading the instructions. Do you want to know what I heard? “What’s taking you so long? Let’s do it!”
I think these might be so good and chocolaty I wouldn’t be able to say anything…just keep on eating and savoring.
These cheesecake brownies sound totally amazing!! Decadent and beautiful looking!
Cheesecake and brownies in one??? It sounds too good to be true! Judging from your photos, it tastes fantastic.
What a fabulous idea! I’m no good at swirling batter either, but these look gorgeous without the marbled effect.
I’m still dreaming about cheesecake after last week’s #SundaySupper and now you have made cheesecake brownies? I seriously don’t think it can get much better.
Oh Lizzy – those look soooo good! I checked out Hugs and Cookies XOXO too and saw you wonderful recipe there. Two sweetie pies for sure!!!!
It sure does look incredibly tasty Liz, you can certainly pick them! I like the recipe she picked from your site too, both are very tasty looking.
Nice recipe! They look soft and delectable!
delicius, bye SILVIA
hmmmm…cheesecake and brownies…what could be better than this!
Oh.. Yeah, I will definitely add this into my baking schedule, they look so perfect and yummy!
These look so amazing! And my hubs always says everything is “good, really good” too lol. They definitely need to enhance their vocab a bit!
This sounds to die for…two of my favorite things! and I do adore a brownie with just a sprinkle of flour…this sounds amazing!
Oh, yes. I give a big, big thumbs up to chocolate and cheesecake!!!
Dear Liz.
These chocolate brownies and cream cheese are delicious, and they have a beautiful appearance. I accept the whole dish to taste.
kisses
Chocolate on chocolate, perfect brownie cheesecake bars! I love the idea of flavors other than white cheesecake batter. You´re inspiring me to try them!
Sounds like the perfect treat to curb my chocolate attacks!
Ooh this look heavenly!!! Love the cheese cake, chocolate brownie layers and can imagine howinsanely delicious they would be
Lizzy-these look amazing! Especially with the powdered sugar. Our posting day is one of my most favorite days of every month!!!!!!!!!! xoxo
That’s a great arrangement of words from the kidney guy! I understand how hearing, ‘really nice’ just wouldn’t have the same ring to it after Mr Kidney. Now…what can I say about them…from across the miles, the molecules look like they’d be extremely tasty xx
Thanks for your tip on wild salmon! I’m going to try grilling it tomorrow night and see how it is– I’m kinda grossed out by the farming fish thing.
These look like a winner, though it’s hard to go wrong with chocolate and cheesecake
.
Three of my most favorite things in one dessert! Perfection.
I love these two sweetie pie posts! always a winner! what’s better than chocolate and cheesecake!? yum!
Molecular chocolate explosion! What can be better than this?
Molecular chocolate explosion ? I’ll stop by later , so save some for me , okay ? lol Lizzy , these brownies look terrific !
Yum – I love the brownie with the cream cheese topping. Good call not to swirl. Have a great week!
Yes and yes! I wish I could have about a dozen of these. Lent is almost over!
Yes I do like chocolate and cheesecake–and I am not a very good ‘swirlier’! How about–that is a party in you mouth!
That looks really indulgent. Like a triple dessert.
Yep, chocolate does incredible things to people, to me at least! They are divine!
Cheesecake + brownies = sooo good. I think I can taste these through the screen.
Chocolate and Cheesecake and Brownies…all in one!!! Heavenly!!!
What a great combination, they look so sweet too sliced up into bite sized bits :0!! I would love to make these sweet little treats!!
Those brownies look fabulous! I love that they have cheesecake too!
These look amazing Lizzy! Love it!
these are divine! so luxuriously delicious!
Wow is right! The chocolate cheesecake layer put these over the top and really make an elegant dessert! Beautiful!
Just when I thought you couldn’t do it… you top yourself. I love brownies and cheesecake… but together. Nirvana.
Gosh these are sinful! Will definitely be sharing it with my wife (the dessert maven in our house). As I’m looking at the pictures I’m drooling. Well, not really (kinda uncouth), but inside I am! Thanks.
–Why does every single thing you make cause me to DROOOOOL?
Do you think my brownies will turn out this beautiful? Xxx
“Molecular chocolate explosion” says it all! Chocolate & cheesecake – sign me up!!
Lizzy,
You’ve done it again. These look wonderful and I bet they taste even better.
Annamaria
The cheesecake brownies look amazing!
Thanks, Faye!