If you love rich, chocolatey desserts with a creamy twist, these Fudgy Chocolate Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies are guaranteed to impress. They’re intensely moist, deeply chocolatey, and beautifully marbled with a smooth cream cheese swirl that adds just the right balance of tangy sweetness. Perfect for dessert tables, bake sales, or an indulgent treat at home, these brownies look bakery-style but are surprisingly easy to make.
Ingredients
For the Brownie Batter
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
For the Cream Cheese Swirl
- 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Grease or line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Brownie Batter
- In a bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
- Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Fold gently until just combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Swirl
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and vanilla; mix until creamy and lump-free.
Step 4: Swirl
- Spoon cream cheese mixture over brownie batter.
- Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl, creating a marbled pattern.
- Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top if desired.
Step 5: Bake
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until edges are set and the center is slightly fudgy.
- Cool completely before slicing for clean cuts.
Tips for Perfect Fudgy Brownies
- Don’t overmix the batter—this keeps the brownies soft and dense.
- Slightly underbake for an extra fudgy center.
- Chill before slicing for sharp, bakery-style squares.
Storage & Freezing
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Freeze individual squares for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature.
Final Thoughts
These Fudgy Chocolate Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies are the ultimate chocolate lover’s dessert—rich, creamy, and irresistibly indulgent. Serve them plain, with a dusting of powdered sugar, or alongside vanilla ice cream for an unforgettable treat.