Velvety Butter Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe for Sweet Indulgence
Decadent chocolate meets creamy indulgence in these irresistible butter cream cheese brownies that promise pure dessert magic.
Rich, fudgy layers meld together in a symphony of sweet sensations.
Chocolate lovers will swoon over this delightful treat that balances intense cocoa depth with smooth, tangy cream cheese swirls.
Each bite delivers a luxurious contrast of textures that melts effortlessly on your tongue.
The combination of dense brownie base and silky cream cheese topping creates a dessert that feels both comforting and elegant.
This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary chocolate experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Let’s find out these brownies and let the delicious adventure begin.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 37 minutes
Total Time: 52 minutes
Calories: 290 kcal
Servings: 13
Ingredients Behind the Flavor of Buter Cream Cheese Brownies
For Brownie Base:
Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, deep flavor and creates tender, moist texture in brownies.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps develop a delightful caramelized crust.
Large Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the brownie.
Water: Helps maintain moisture and softness in the batter.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate flavor and deep color.
All-Purpose Flour: Creates foundational structure and helps brownies hold shape.
Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies chocolate taste.
Chocolate Chips: Adds extra bursts of chocolate throughout the brownie.
For Cream Cheese Swirl:
Cream Cheese, Block: Introduces tangy richness and creamy contrast to chocolate base.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps stabilize and thicken cream cheese layer.
Egg White: Provides structure and helps bind cream cheese ingredients.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle, complementary flavor to cream cheese mixture.
Tools to Bake Buter Cream Cheese Brownies Just Right
8×8-inch baking pan: Perfect for creating deliciously thick brownies.
Foil: Helps line the pan for easy removal and clean-up.
Mixing bowls: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients separately.
Whisk or electric mixer: Great for beating cream cheese mixture until silky smooth.
Knife: Used for creating beautiful swirl patterns in the brownies.
Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient amounts for perfect results.
Spatula: Helps scrape batter and mix ingredients thoroughly.
How to Make Buter Cream Cheese Brownies from Scratch
Oven Preparation Home kitchen warmup happens with preheating to cozy 350°F. Grab a square baking pan and line it carefully with parchment paper for easy removal.
Brownie Base Chocolate magic begins by melting butter and blending with sugary sweetness. Crack fresh eggs into the mixture, adding liquid gold vanilla and gentle water whispers. Fold in rich cocoa powder, silky flour, and tiny salt crystals. Sprinkle chocolate chips for extra indulgence.
Cream Cheese Cloud Dreamy white mixture comes alive by whipping cream cheese until impossibly smooth. Blend with sweet granules, soft flour, and delicate egg white. Splash of vanilla transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.
Artistic Swirling Creative moment arrives by gently pouring cream cheese over deep chocolate landscape. Use a knife to create mesmerizing marble patterns throughout the pan. Bake until edges look perfectly crisp and center remains slightly soft, around 35 magical minutes. Let cool completely before slicing into heavenly squares.
Buter Cream Cheese Brownies: Tricks for Texture and Taste
Create perfect marbled patterns by gently dragging a knife through the batters in figure-eight motions for a professional bakery-style look.
These brownies taste even better the next day, so prepare them in advance for parties or unexpected sweet cravings – they'll stay moist and delicious when stored in an airtight container.
For fudgier brownies, reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes, while adding an extra 2-3 minutes will give you a firmer, more cake-like texture that still maintains rich chocolate flavor.
Experiment by adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking, or mix in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the brownie batter for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure a smoother, lump-free cream cheese layer that blends perfectly with the chocolate base.
Serving Buter Cream Cheese Brownies in Style
Elegant Dessert Plate: Dust these rich brownies with powdered sugar and serve on a pristine white plate for a sophisticated presentation that highlights their decadent swirled texture.
Creamy Accompaniment: Pair each brownie slice with a dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream or a small scoop of premium vanilla ice cream to complement the tangy cream cheese and chocolate flavors.
Gourmet Coffee Pairing: Serve alongside a steaming espresso or smooth cappuccino, which will enhance the deep chocolate notes and provide a delightful contrast to the sweet, creamy brownie.
Weekend Brunch Centerpiece: Create an impressive dessert platter by arranging brownies with fresh berries, mint leaves, and a light drizzle of chocolate sauce for a stunning weekend gathering treat.
Keeping Buter Cream Cheese Brownies Fresh and Fudgy
Smart Batch Preparation: Whip up a double batch of these brownies and freeze half for quick dessert emergencies or unexpected guests. Simply wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze up to 3 months.
Fridge Storage Strategy: Sealed container keeps brownies fresh for 4-5 days. Store in single layers with parchment paper between to prevent sticking and maintain their delicious texture.
Counter Freshness Tip: Room temperature brownies stay moist and delectable for 2 days when covered with a clean kitchen towel, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare brownie batter and cream cheese mixture separately the night before, refrigerate overnight, then assemble and bake the next day for maximum convenience and minimal morning stress.
Indulgent butter cream cheese brownies blend rich chocolate with tangy cream cheese for a luxurious dessert. Creamy swirls and fudgy textures create an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
8 oz (226 g) block cream cheese, softened
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and hot
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar (for brownie batter)
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for cream cheese mixture)
2 large eggs (for brownie batter)
1 large egg white
⅔ cup (60 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup plus 1 tbsp (110 g) all-purpose flour (for brownie batter)
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring overhanging edges for easy extraction.
Butter Mixture: Melt butter and whisk with sugar, allowing the mixture to rest briefly to dissolve sugar crystals and create a smooth base.
Wet Ingredients Integration: Blend whole eggs, water, and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture until thoroughly combined and slightly aerated.
Dry Ingredients Fusion: Sift cocoa powder, flour, and salt together to eliminate lumps, then gently fold into the wet ingredients, incorporating chocolate chips with minimal stirring.
Cream Cheese Layer: Whip softened cream cheese until silky, then blend with sugar, flour, egg white, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and homogeneous.
Layering and Marbling: Transfer chocolate batter to prepared pan, strategically place cream cheese mixture in spoonfuls, and create elegant swirls using a knife to achieve a marbled pattern.
Baking and Cooling: Bake for 32-37 minutes until a toothpick reveals moist crumbs. Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan for at least one hour before cutting into squares.
Notes
Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter just until ingredients combine to maintain a fudgy, tender brownie texture and avoid tough, dense results.
Temperature Matters: Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for smoother blending and more consistent mixing without lumps.
Swirl Technique: Drag knife gently through batter to create elegant marbled effect, avoiding deep cuts that disrupt brownie’s smooth surface.
Cooling is Crucial: Let brownies cool completely in pan to set structure and allow cream cheese layer to stabilize, ensuring clean, neat cuts when slicing.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.