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Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies

posted by Liz Berg on April 15, 2021 (updated 11/8/23)

Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies are an exquisite combination of brownies and chocolate cheesecake that you can eat with your fingers!

These Brownie Bottom Cheesecake Bars will dazzle your friends and family. Who doesn’t love TWO desserts in one?

Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies on a white rectangular tray

Table of Contents hide

5 Frequently Asked Questions

6 You May Also Like

7 Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies

Why You Must Make

I took these Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies to a New Year’s party. 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.
Instead of deciding between brownies or cheesecake for dessert, you get both with every bite of these.
These brownie-bottom cheesecake bars are finger food, so they’re perfect to take to picnics and parties. But you may need napkins!

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!

2 cheesecake brownies stacked on a square white dish.

How to Make

Make the brownie batter.
Spread it in an even layer on the bottom of a prepared 8 x 8-inch pan.
Make the cheesecake batter.
Top the brownie batter with dollops of cheesecake batter.
Smooth the cheesecake layer.
Bake as directed.
Cool, chill, then slice to serve.

Both the brownies and cheesecake bake together and the results are fabulous. If you like chocolate AND cheesecake, you’ll need to add these to your baking schedule.

Expert Tips

PRO-Tip: Line your pan with nonstick foil for easy removal without the edges sticking to the pan. The foil can be used as a sling to move the cooled brownies to a cutting board.
If you don’t have nonstick foil on hand, line with regular foil and spray with a cooking spray like Pam.
To melt chocolate in the microwave, chop it first, then place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Since it’s only 2 ounces, be careful not to zap it too long. Start with 20 seconds, then stop and stir. Repeat for another 15-20 seconds if needed, but once there are only a few small unmelted bits, let the residual heat finish the melting. Stir until completely smooth.
You can also place the heat-safe bowl of chocolate over a pot of simmering water (the bowl should not touch the water, just nest in the pot above the water). Watch and stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted.
PRO-Tip: Use a small offset spatula to spread and smooth out each layer. It’s one of my most used kitchen tools.

Ingredient Notes

Butter – I use salted butter in my recipes. If you use unsalted butter, just add a touch more salt.
Semi-sweet Chocolate, chopped – I keep a stash of Ghirardelli bars in all chocolate varieties. They are readily available at many supermarkets and are better for melting than chocolate chips. Chocolate chips can be used in a pinch if needed.
Cocoa powder
Sugar
Eggs – Always use large eggs unless otherwise noted
Vanilla – Always use real vanilla extract, never imitation
Flour – I use King Arthur All-Purpose Flour. Any all-purpose flour will work well.
Salt – I prefer finer table salt, not kosher salt for baking
Cream cheese – must be at room temperature for the smoothest batter.

Ovehead view of 3 cheesecake brownies on a white tray topped with fresh berries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cheesecake brownies need to be refrigerated?

Yes, just like regular cheesecake, these brownies need to be refrigerated. They should be brought out to room temperature for about an hour before serving to get the chill off the cheesecake which makes that layer creamier.

Can you freeze chocolate cheesecake bars?

Yes! Both brownies and cheesecake freeze well, so these brownies can be frozen up to 3 months. Just make sure they’re in an airtight container. Defrost them overnight in the refrigerator.

How should you serve these layered brownies?

I love topping individual brownies with fresh berries for a pop of color. They’re also delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate or fudge sauce.