Description
Rich chocolate brownies meet creamy cherry cheesecake in this irresistible dessert fusion. Luscious swirls of tangy cheesecake and sweet cherry compote elevate classic brownies into a show-stopping treat you won’t be able to resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Brownie Layer:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Cherry Topping:
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup cherry preserves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the sides for easy removal.
- Cream softened cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl until smooth and fluffy, using an electric mixer at medium speed.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time into the cream cheese mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Melt butter in a large microwave-safe bowl, then whisk in sugar until well integrated.
- Add eggs to the butter mixture, stirring vigorously until the batter becomes glossy and well-combined.
- Sift cocoa powder, flour, and salt together, then gently fold into the wet brownie ingredients until just incorporated.
- Pour two-thirds of the brownie batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly across the bottom.
- Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over the brownie base, creating a smooth layer.
- Dollop remaining brownie batter on top of the cheesecake layer and create a marbled effect using a knife.
- Macerate cherries by combining them with sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl, allowing them to sit for 10 minutes.
- Scatter macerated cherries across the top of the batter, then dot with cherry preserves.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan before lifting out using parchment paper edges.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares for clean, precise slices.
Notes
- Cream cheese temperature matters significantly for achieving a smooth, lump-free mixture that blends perfectly with the brownie base.
- Macerate cherries in advance to intensify their natural sweetness and create a more complex flavor profile for the dessert.
- Avoid overmixing brownie batter to prevent tough, dense brownies; gently fold ingredients until just combined for a tender texture.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder and fresh ingredients to elevate the overall taste and richness of the cherry cheesecake brownies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 31 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg