These Cherry Cheesecake Brownies look beautiful and taste even better. No box brownies here. I use my Best Brownies recipe for the brownie layer and then a simple cheesecake recipe for the cheesecake layer. Then it is topped with cherry pie filling that is swirled in with the cheesecake layer. OMG! But wait. There’s more! A chocolate ganache is drizzled over the cheesecake brownie to take this dessert over the top. It tastes amazing!
The hardest part about making these cherry cheesecake brownies is waiting for them to chill after you bake them. I had to hide them from Mr. Flavor Mosaic so he would not eat them before I took the photos. It took great restraint on my part as well to resist them until the photos were taken.
These cherry cheesecake brownies are perfect if you want to impress that special someone, or have a date night planned, or for Valentine’s Day. They are so fabulous I wouldn’t be surprised if you received a marriage proposal if you made them. No promises, but it’s possible.
- 1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened (I use ⅓ less fat)
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ of a (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling (I use the lite variety)
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons butter
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Either spray with baking spray or grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
- For the cheesecake layer, in a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Set aside.
- For the brownie layer, in a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Mix in the eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
- Stir in cocoa, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the brownie mixture.
- Drop the cherry pie filling by spoonfuls on top of the cheesecake layer. Then take a knife and swirl the cherry pie filling through the cheesecake layer.
- Bake in a preheated oven for about 45 minutes. The cheesecake layer will still jiggle in the middle even when it has finished cooking.
- Let it cool for about an hour.
- Then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- While the brownies are chilling, make the chocolate drizzle by adding the chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons of butter in a small bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir until smooth. Microwave again for another 30 seconds if it is not melted after the first 30 seconds. Stir and then spoon over the top of the cheesecake bars before serving.
This recipe was inspired by Cherry Bliss Brownies on AllRecipes.com.
If you like these Cherry Cheesecake Brownies, you might like my Best Brownies recipe.
Another recipe you may like is the Pumpkin Magic Bars.
If you want more chocolate, try these Easy Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies.
This post may be included in one of these fantastic link parties and The Weekend Potluck #107.
If you like this recipe, subscribe via email and have them delivered directly to your inbox.
For more over the top, fudgy, chocolatey brownies, try these Oreo Overload Brownies by Anyonita Nibbles.
Kelly G says
Beautiful! And delicious looking! I’ll send you my address. I’ll take a pan full!
Michele says
LOL! Thanks Kelly! I’ll ship them right out!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
These look amazing! What a great combination Cherry and chocolate!
Michele says
Hi Nancy! Thank you! I love it too.
Lela Raine says
Beautiful Michele! I love your photos!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
The swirl in this cheesecake is amazing!
Mel says
that might be the prettiest dessert ever!
Catherine says
Dar Michele, These cheesecake brownies look beautiful and sound absolutely delicious. A perfect Valentine’s Day treat. Thank you for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and weekend. Blessings, Catherine
Michele says
Hi Catherine, thank you. I love Foodie Friends Friday. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day also.
Lisa@ Cooking with Curls says
Wow, those are gorgeous!!
Michele says
Thanks Lisa!
Joanne T Ferguson says
G’day and wow! All my childhood faves wrapped into one!
Thanks for sharing as part of Foodie Friends Friday Snack Party!
Cheers! Joanne
Rebecca @ Dorm Room Baker says
Oh boy these brownies would not stand a chance in my kitchen! They would be under immediate siege from several forks as soon as they came out of the oven. Love the beautiful cherry swirl :).
Michele says
The hardest part is waiting for them to chill in the fridge. I had to literally pray them out of hubby’s hands so I could finish them and take photos.
The Better Baker says
WOWZERS! I would go bonkers over this yummy dessert. Love the flavor combos. I’m sure it’s fantastic. Thanks much for sharing at our Weekend Potluck party. Thanks a million for sharing at our Weekend Potluck party. Please come back soon.
Michele says
You are welcome! Thank you for having such a wonderful link party!
mari says
Wow! These look amazing! On my way to the kitchen right now to make these brownies!
mari says
Well I made them….the only problem I had was waiting while they chilled in the refrigerator….so I cheated on the time just a little! They taste as amazing as they look! Thanks for a great recipe!
Joanne/WineLady Cooks says
Oh my does this dessert look amazing. I’ll have to add this to my ‘must make’ recipes. Love it!
Michele says
Thanks Joanne!
Becca from It's Yummi! says
these brownies are perfect for valentine’s day!
Michele says
Thank you!
Kirsten says
Michele,
These brownies look amazing. Now that may sound like blah blah blah, but believe me it is High Praise. See, I live about 1 mile from a DLM where I can get a Salted Caramel Killer Brownie 24 hours a day. Google it, I’ll wait.
Pretty yummy, right? But I would throw one of those under a bus for one of these brownies. They look that good to me.
Thanks!
jessica says
these look so amazing! I could eat cheesecake all day long, and then you add some cherries and brownies…oh man, my mouth is going to start watering! I would love if you stopped by tomorrow night 10pm eastern and linked up to my party! I would love to have you around 🙂
Have a wonderful night!
Jess
Michele says
Thank you! I appreciate the invitation.
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt says
Oh yum these look so delicious! Thank you for sharing at The Wednesday Round Up and we hope to see you back next week!
Michele says
You’re welcome. I look forward to it next week.
nibbles by nic says
Heaven on a plate!!! We absolutely LOVE this at Munching Mondays and are featuring it this week 🙂 Can’t wait to see you this week!!! xo Nic
Natasha @ Epic Mommy Adventures says
You had me at Cherry Cheesecake! Then, you added brownie and I literally started drooling! I can’t wait to try this – my son and I would devour them!
Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Tuesday…we love having you! 🙂
Michele says
Thanks Natasha!
All that's Jas says
I saw this recipe featured on Turn it up Tuesday party and literately started drooling. Will have to make it pronto! Thanks for sharing. Hugs
Michele says
Thank you for visiting!
Elizabeth says
Oh my! These look absolutely spectacular! I am featuring these tomorrow on Snickerdoodle Sunday! I hope to see you drop by again (and bring your fantastic recipes!!). 🙂
Michele says
Thank you so much for featuring my recipe! I will stop by tomorrow.
jamie williams says
are these good for mailing? I really want to send them as a gift but don’t know if they will maintain flavor and freshness.
Michele says
Since this has cheesecake in it, I probably would not recommend mailing it. However, you could try my Best Brownies, http://flavormosaic.com/best-brownies/, or Chocolate Chip Caramel Crumb Bars instead. http://flavormosaic.com/chocolate-chip-caramel-crumb-bars/