Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies: A Decadent Delight

 

These cream cheese swirl brownies are the perfect marriage of fudgy chocolate and tangy cream cheese. They're rich, decadent, and surprisingly easy to make. The swirling creates a beautiful marbled effect, and the contrasting flavors offer a delightful taste experience. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these irresistible treats!

Yields: Approximately 16 brownies Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 30-35 minutes   

Ingredients:

For the Brownie Layer:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (good quality)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract   
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

For the Cream Cheese Swirl:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened   
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar   
• 1 large egg   
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract   

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

2. Make the Brownie Batter: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix well until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Stir in the flour until just combined. Do not overmix.

3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.

4. Assemble the Brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter.

5. Swirl: Using a knife or toothpick, swirl the cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter to create a marbled effect. Don't over-swirl, or the distinct swirls will disappear.   

6. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). Be careful not to overbake, as this will result in dry brownies.

7. Cool and Serve: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before using the parchment paper overhang to lift them out. Cut into squares and serve.

   
   
   

Tips and Variations:

• For extra chocolate flavor, add chocolate chips to the brownie batter.
• You can use different extracts in the cream cheese filling, such as almond or peppermint.
• To make the swirls more pronounced, chill the cream cheese mixture for 30 minutes before using.
• Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.   

Enjoy your delicious cream cheese swirl brownies! Let me know in the comments how they turned out!