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Cream Cheese Swirled Brownies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 53 reviews

Delight in these rich and fudgy Cream Cheese Brownies that combine a decadent chocolate base with a smooth, tangy cream cheese swirl. The perfect balance of textures and flavors, these brownies feature a crackly top, moist interior, and luscious cream cheese ribbons, baked to perfection for an indulgent treat.

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 and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the center. Line an 8×8 inch pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving a couple of inches of overhang on two opposite sides for easy removal after baking. Grease the lining lightly to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the granulated sugar and warm melted butter briefly, then let it rest undisturbed for 5 minutes to begin dissolving the sugar for a shiny crust. After resting, whisk vigorously for 30 seconds, then add the eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Whisk again for about 30 seconds until blended.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle cocoa powder, flour, and kosher salt over the wet mixture. Use a rubber or silicone spatula to gently stir until the batter is glossy and fully combined.
  4. Separate Batter: Scoop out about one third of this brownie batter and set it aside for creating the cream cheese swirl. Stir the chocolate chips into the remaining brownie batter and spread this mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
  5. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in the sugar, then add the flour, egg white, and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until just combined, being careful not to overbeat. Scrape the bowl sides as needed.
  6. Form Swirl: Alternate dropping spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture and the reserved brownie batter over the top of the brownie base in the pan using two tablespoons. Then, using the tip of a sharp knife, gently swirl the two mixtures together by moving in figure-eight or back-and-forth motions. Take care not to over-swirl; the goal is to create visible swirls on the surface without fully blending the batters.
  7. Bake: Bake the brownies for 32 to 37 minutes until mostly set with a slight jiggle in the cream cheese areas. A toothpick inserted should come out with moist fudgy crumbs and some melted chocolate. Avoid overbaking to retain fudgy texture. If the cream cheese swirl starts to brown too much near the end of baking, loosely cover the pan with foil to prevent further browning.
  8. Cool: Remove the brownies from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling will take several hours and is vital for the brownies to fully set and develop their texture before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Using warm melted butter helps dissolve sugar slightly resulting in a shiny, crackly crust on the brownies.
  • Do not overbeat the cream cheese mixture to maintain a smooth, creamy swirl texture.
  • The foil or parchment paper with overhang allows easy removal of the entire brownie block from the pan for clean cutting.
  • Let the brownies cool completely before slicing to ensure they hold together well.
  • Watch the cream cheese swirl during baking; covering with foil if it browns too quickly helps maintain an attractive appearance.

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

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