Description
These Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies combine the rich, moist texture of classic red velvet brownies with a creamy, tangy cheesecake swirl. Perfectly baked to create a beautiful marbled effect, these decadent brownies deliver a delightful contrast of flavors and textures, making them an irresistible dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Batter
- 1/2 cup (112g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 tbsp red food color
- 2 tbsp (14g) cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup (98g) all purpose flour
- 1/8 tsp salt
Cheesecake Swirl
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (104g) sugar
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Line the bottom of a 9×9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper and grease the sides to prevent sticking.
- Melt butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl until fully melted. Transfer the melted butter to a mixing bowl.
- Combine wet ingredients for brownie: To the melted butter, add 1 cup sugar and whisk together until combined. Then incorporate 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp white vinegar, 2 eggs, and 1 1/2 tbsp red food coloring, whisking well until the mixture is smooth and uniform in color.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients while mixing gently until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep brownies tender.
- Prepare cheesecake batter: In another mixing bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until smooth and well combined. Then add 1 egg white and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated with no lumps.
- Add brownie batter base: Pour about three quarters of the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly to form the brownie base layer.
- Create cheesecake swirl: Drop spoonfuls of the cheesecake batter evenly on top of the brownie layer. Using a toothpick or skewer, swirl the cheesecake into the brownie batter to create a marbled effect.
- Top with remaining brownie batter: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining brownie batter over the cheesecake layer. Again, use a toothpick to swirl the brownie batter into the cheesecake layer to enhance the swirl pattern.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the bars for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and chill: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the brownies to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate the brownies to set the cheesecake layer fully, which improves cutting and texture.
- Serve and store: Once chilled, cut the brownies into bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream cheese at room temperature for the smoothest cheesecake swirl.
- Be careful not to overmix the brownie batter to keep the brownies tender and moist.
- If red food coloring is not available, you can omit it but the classic red velvet color will be lost.
- Swirling technique is key for the beautiful marbled effect—use a toothpick gently to avoid mixing the batters completely.
- Chilling the brownies in the fridge before slicing prevents the cheesecake layer from cracking.
- Store refrigerated for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Red velvet brownies, cheesecake swirl brownies, marbled brownies, dessert bars, red velvet dessert, cream cheese brownies
