Ingredients
Scale
For the Brownies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. This little trick will make taking out the brownies a breeze.
- Prepare the brownie batter: In a medium bowl, mix the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix – we want our brownies to stay fudgy!
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
- Prepare the cream cheese swirl: In another bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Create the swirl: Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture onto the brownie batter. Use a knife to swirl the cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter, creating a marbled effect. This step is where the magic happens!
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached. Remember, you don’t want to overbake them, as they’ll continue to cook a bit after you take them out of the oven.
- Cool and enjoy: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Once they’re cool, cut them into squares and enjoy every bite!
Notes
- Use Softened Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is softened before mixing. This helps create a smooth and creamy swirl that blends beautifully with the brownie batter.
- Quality Ingredients Matter: For the best chocolate flavor, use a high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder. It makes a big difference!
- Don’t Overmix: When combining your ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough brownie.
- Check for Doneness Early: Every oven is different, so start checking your brownies at the 25-minute mark. You want a few moist crumbs to stick to a toothpick when inserted in the center.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Cream Cheese Brownies, Fudgy brownies, Cheesecake swirl brownies, Easy brownie recipe