Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (2024)

Last Updated: By Linnie 10 Comments

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Cheesecake Topped Brownies recipe takes our two favorite desserts and make them into one delicious treat! It is a perfect dessert to make when you need to bring something easy but impressive to a potluck.

(Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free friendly)

Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (1)

One day after cutting myself a huge slice of cheesecake I had this thought.

Why does the crust have to be so thin? We need a thick chocolate crust… like say a brownie?

I went and looked to see if anyone else has made this and turns out I’m not the creative food genius I thought I was but I’m OK with that as long as there is a huge slice of our Cheesecake Topped Brownie sitting in front of me.

Gluten-Free Brownie Base for our Cheesecake Brownies

As always use whatever makes your life easier. If you want to buy a store bought mix go for it.

We used our Best Gluten-Free Brownies recipe personally. It is THE brownie recipe in our household and rightfully lives up to its name.

If you’d like to make this a bit healthier and perhaps more on the low carb side try out our Healthy Brownies recipe.

Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (2)

How to Make these Cheesecake Topped Brownies

It is important that you bake the brownie before adding the cheesecake filling. The trick is you don’t want to overcook your brownies BUT you do want the center to be cooked just enough.

If you gently press into the center and it bounces back that is perfectttt. Just enough for when you pour your cheesecake filling in it won’t collapse on you.

Dairy-Free Option for these Cheesecake Brownies!

If you need to follow a dairy-free diet be sure to check out our local store. There have been some amazing dairy-free cream cheese alternatives coming out that work perfectly at swapping out with this recipe.

Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (3)

Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe

Dessert

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free friendly

American

Cheesecake Topped Brownies recipe takes our two favorite desserts and make them into one delicious treat! It is a perfect dessert to make when you need to bring something easy but impressive to a potluck.

Yield: 16

Prep Time:20 min

Cook Time:50 min

Total Time:70 min

Ingredients:

Brownie Base

  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free 1-1 baking flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3/4 cup sugar (or low carb alternative)
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 Tablespoons butter, melted (or dairy-free alternative)
  • 1/2 cup extra light olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Cheesecake Layer

  • 16 ounce cream cheese, softened (or dairy-free alternative)
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (or low carb alternative. I personally do 1/4 cup because I can't taste the difference)
  • 1/4 cup heavywhipping cream (or dairy-free alternative like coconut cream)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • 2. In a medium mixing bowl sift together cocoa powder, gluten-free flour, baking soda, cornstarch.
  • 3. Whisk in sugar and salt.
  • 4. Create a well, add egg, melted butter, olive oil, and vanilla extract.
  • 5. Gently mix together until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
  • 6. Pour into a well-greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 20-22 minutes.
  • 7. As the brownie bakes prepare and follow the directions below for the cheesecake.

Cheesecake Layer

  • 1. In a stand mixer or with hand mixer in a large bowl. Add cream cheese, sugar, whipped cream until it is well mixed together and creamy.
  • 2. Add eggs one at a time until well combined. Mix in vanilla extract.
  • 3. Once the brownie is baked, pour your cheesecake layer into the baked brownie.
  • 4. Turn heat down in oven to 325 degrees F.
  • 5. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until center of cheesecake is set in the center.
  • 6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before placing in the refrigerator. Refrigerate 12 hours at least before cutting and serving.

Author: Linnie

Nutrition Information:

Serving size: 1/16th slice
Calories: 323
Other nutrition information: Total Fat: 24g , Saturated Fat: 11.3g , Polyunsatured Fat: 1.4g , Monounsaturated Fat: 9.2g , Cholesterol: 90mg , Sodium: 128mg , Potassium: 121mg , Total Carb: 24g , Dietary Fiber: 2g , Sugars: 17g , Protein: 4.8g

Recipe, images, and text © Veggie Balance

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (15)Michelle says

    “or dairy free alternative”
    I’d like to see you provide the alternative in the recipe when you say you have a dairy free recipe.
    A wee bit disappointed here.
    Looks delicious tho, but will continue looking for actual dairy free recipes.

    Reply

    • Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (16)Lindsay says

      Lets clear this up because it seems you may be new to our site. So welcome! 😊 Sometimes we forget to write this every single time in posts for people who are new to the site by coming in by pinterest and so on but ANY recipe that has a dairy-free alternative substitution has been tested with dairy-free substitutions.

      I’m not sure where you are located but there are some absolutely FANTASTIC dairy-free cream cheeses out on the market these days both in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland that I know of. We personally tested this one out with the Daiya brand (United States). I personally have to go dairy-free for a few weeks when I’ve been glutened so we test these out for that reason 🙂

      If we have not tested a recipe out with these dairy-free alternatives we do NOT list it as an alternative on the recipe cards. Hope this helps and if you’ve ever got questions about specific brands we are always here to help!

      Reply

  2. Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (17)Andrea says

    Can’t wait to make these for Thanksgiving!! Have you made these a few days in advance? That would make my life sooo much easier haha but just not sure how they would keep in the fridge/freezer!
    Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (18)Lindsay says

      Yes this can be made a few days ahead of time. Just store in the refrigerator.

      Reply

  3. Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (19)Gill says

    Can the be frozen?

    Reply

    • Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (20)Lindsay says

      Ooooo yeah I don’t see why not actually.

      Reply

  4. Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (21)Felicia says

    Planning to try this recipe for the first time. How did you make the chocolate drizzle?

    Reply

    • Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (22)Lindsay says

      Simply melted chocolate chips!

      Reply

  5. Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (23)brandee says

    were yours baked in a smaller pan?? I followed the recipe exactly and the cream cheese layer is so thin you can’t hardly taste it. in your picture it looks like the layers are almost half and half.

    Reply

    • Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (24)Lindsay says

      I was pretty sure our pan was labeled a 9×13 pan when I purchased it. But I just checked and measured it and it is a 8×11 so it is a little smaller it seems.

      Reply

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Insanely Good Cheesecake Topped Brownies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you use milk instead of water in brownie mix? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

What can I add to brownie mix to make them better? ›

Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract adds rich flavor to brownies. Eggs – Most brownie mixes call for one whole egg. Adding one large egg plus an extra egg yolk gives brownies an ultra fudgy texture.

Should you put milk in brownies? ›

Milk. Most brownie mixes call for water. While water does the job, you can add some extra flavor and moisture by mixing some of that water with something richer, like milk. If you want to swap it out completely, be prepared for a more chewy and fudge-like brownie from the extra fat.

Can I add instant coffee to brownie mix? ›

Mix brownie batter according to package instructions. In addition to the water, oil, and egg amounts specified on the package, add in instant coffee/espresso powder and vanilla extract. Pour batter into prepared pan, then top with roasted almonds and cocoa nibs.

What does adding an extra egg to brownie mix do? ›

If you opt to add more eggs, say double the amount, something interesting happens. Even though you are adding more moisture, the air bubbles that you catch in the extra eggs add volume, which decreases the density of your final product. This makes your brownies rise and gives them a much more cake-like texture.

What happens if you use butter instead of oil in brownies? ›

the butter brownies actually had a fudgier texture. they were softer, and they really just melted in your mouth. they also had that shiny crust and just better flavor, whereas the oil brownies were actually chewier.

How do you doctor up boxed brownie mix? ›

Swirl in Some Good Stuff

Dollop cream cheese, fruit jam, pumpkin puree, peanut butter or caramel over brownie batter. Spoon it into the pan, then cut through the batter to create this wow-worthy effect. Your dessert will be prettier and tastier than every other treat on the table.

Does letting brownie batter sit make it better? ›

Alice Medrich, author of Seriously Bitter Sweet: The Ultimate Dessert Maker's Guide to Chocolate, writes that “refrigerating the brownie batter in the pan for several hours, or as long as two days before baking, wreaks enormous transformations: it improves the top gloss and crustiness, and it also blends the flavors so ...

How to pimp Betty Crocker brownie mix? ›

Mix in chopped walnuts, chopped pecans or sliced almonds for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Add chocolate or chopped candy bars. Think chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, chopped peanut butter cups. Bring on the mint.

Can you use milk instead of an egg in brownie mix? ›

You can use 4 tablespoons of milk, ¼ cup of mashed banana or ¼ cup of unsweetened apple sauce in place of each egg required in a box brownie mix.

Which oil is best for brownies? ›

Most brownie recipes call for some kind of oil — usually vegetable oil or canola oil. This oil acts as the primary fat in brownie batter, giving it that delicious, fudgy texture we all know and love.

Is butter or oil better for brownies? ›

In brownies, both butter and oil will offer a moist, tender texture, but only butter will give the dish the aeration needed for rising brownies well. If you use a cake brownie, butter is a better option because it helps rise the batter. For denser, fudge type brownies, oil is permissable.

What does coffee in brownies do? ›

We already know that adding espresso and coffee flavor to chocolate desserts supercharges chocolate flavor, and the same principle applies here. Using coffee in your brownie mix will result in better, more chocolaty brownies.

Can I use instant coffee instead of cocoa powder in brownies? ›

While you can add a small amount of instant coffee or espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor of your brownies, it should not be used as a direct replacement for cocoa powder. Coffee has a distinct flavor that can make your brownies taste bitter and less like traditional chocolate brownies.

What can you substitute for instant coffee powder in brownie recipe? ›

If you want to bring out the flavor in chocolate desserts, natural cocoa powder will do the trick. It has a similar bitterness to espresso powder and it also brings the fruity flavor of cocoa beans to your dish.

What happens if you bake with milk instead of water? ›

Yes, you can substitute milk for water when preparing SuperMoist cake mixes, however, the cake may be slightly drier than if prepared with water. Also keep in mind that milk will add calories and change the nutrition slightly.

What happens if you substitute milk for water in a cake mix? ›

Baking tip #2: adding milk to your box cake mix in place of water adds a dense texture to your dessert leaving it moist and flavorful like a homemade cake. Or, if you prefer, you can add buttermilk, giving your cake a tangy flavor to balance out the sweetness.

What happens if I use milk instead of water in a cake? ›

Use milk instead of water

Most box cake recipes will tell you to add water to the mix. Instead, try adding milk using the same proportions. This will make the cake richer and creamier because it ups the fat content. You can even use buttermilk here for a pleasant tang.

Can milk replace eggs in brownies? ›

You can use 4 tablespoons of milk, ¼ cup of mashed banana or ¼ cup of unsweetened apple sauce in place of each egg required in a box brownie mix.

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