CourseDessert CuisineAmerican Prep Time15 minutes Cook Time45 minutes Total Time1 hour Servings12 Brownies Calories420kcal

Ingredients

For the Brownie Base

  • ▢1 cup unsalted butter  melted, 226g
  • ▢1 1/3 cups semis sweet chocolate chips
  • ▢3/4  cup  cocoa powder
  • ▢1 cup  granulated sugar 200g
  • ▢1 cup brown sugar 200g
  • ▢2 eggs  room temperature
  • ▢1 yolk
  • ▢1 tbsp  coffee 15mL
  • ▢1 tbsp  vanilla extract 15mL
  • ▢1 cup  all-purpose flour 120g
  • ▢1 tsp  salt
  • ▢1 tbsp water 15mL hot, plus more if needed

For the Cheesecake Topping

  • ▢16 oz cream cheese room temperature
  • ▢1/2 cup sugar
  • ▢1 tbsp vanilla extract 15mL
  • ▢1 pinch salt
  • ▢2 eggs

Instructions

For the Brownies:

  • Add the melted butter and one cup of chocolate chips to a large bowl. Microwave on short bursts at low power until mostly melted then stir together until smooth.
  • Immediately dump in the cocoa powder and salt then mix until fully incorporated.
  • Mix in the white and brown sugars then add eggs and yolk, vanilla and coffee then mix until smooth.
  • Drop in the flour and mix until almost combined then fold in the remaining chocolate chips

For the Cheesecake Topping

  • Add the room temperature cream cheese to stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and mix at medium speed for 3-4 minutes.
  • Reduce speed to low and slowly add sugar, then salt and vanilla.
  • Add eggs one at a time, allowing each to incorporate before adding the next. Scrape the bowl down and mix once more.
  • Add the cheesecake mixture to the brownie base and spread out
  • Add chocolate-cheesecake spread with a skewer.
  • Bake at 350F for 10 minutes then reduce oven temperature to 325F and bake another 35 minutes. Enjoy!

Notes

  • If you don’t have an eight by eight inch pan for your brownies just use foil to create one or two walls for a smaller baking dish. Line with parchment and you’ll be good to go!
  • Measure your flour correctly! Adding too much flour to your brownies will take a way from that nice fudge-like texture. The best, and easiest way to measure flour is by using a scale. If you don’t have one then fluff your flour with a spoon, sprinkle it into your measuring cup, and use a knife to level it off. 
  • Adding the cocoa to the warm butter/chocolate mixture “blooms” it which gives you a more intense chocolate flavor.
  • Don’t over-bake your brownies. Unlike cake layers brownies will not have springy center and a skewer inserted into the center will not come out clean. Your brownies are done when the center is set and you see the cheesecake on the edges puff up a it just begin to crack. 
  • Room temperature cream cheese is a must for a smooth topping. Don’t be afraid to let the mixer run to really cream it before adding the sugar in.
  • Add toasted nuts, crushed candy cane, toffee, or even candy like M&Ms to your brownies for a bit of crunch and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 250mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1.4mg