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5 from 2 votes

Cheesecake Brownies

Thick, rich brownies swirled with a decadent cheesecake layer are a gorgeous dessert everyone will love. They start with a boxed brownie mix so they're SUPER easy to make!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Servings: 16

Ingredients

Brownie Batter

  • 1 18 oz Boxed Brownie Mix family size, for a 9x13 pan
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/2 cup Butter melted
  • 1/4 cup Water
  • 1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Cheesecake Batter

  • 8 oz Cream Cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 tablespoons Flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x9 metal baking pan with parchment paper; lightly spray with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the brownie mix, eggs, melted butter, and water. Pour about 2/3 of the brownie batter into the prepared pan, then sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. Reserve the rest of the brownie batter to go over the cream cheese layer.
  • In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and sugar until well combined and creamy. Add the flour and beat until combined. Add the egg and vanilla, beating agin until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed.
  • Spread the cream cheese batter over the brownie batter. Drop the remaining brownie batter on top by spoonfuls. Use a toothpick to swirl the two batters together.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 35-38 minutes, until the edges are set and the top is just barely cracked, and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean (a few crumbs are ok). If the toothpick comes out covered in chocolate that means you've hit a chocolate chip; test again somewhere else.
  • Allow the brownies to cool completely and then refrigerate 2 hours before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Store leftovers in the fridge.

Notes

I highly recommend using a metal baking pan for brownies; they cook more evenly than in a glass or pyrex pan. This recipe is sized for a 9 inch pan. Do not use an 8 inch pan. If you don't have an 8 inch pan you can cook these in a 9x13 pan. They won't be as tall and they will cook faster so you'll need to watch them.
I prefer using a Duncan Hines brownie mix in this recipe.
Use full-fat cream cheese in this recipe for best results.