Decadent Cherry Cheesecake Brownies: A Sweet and Tangy Delight

These cherry cheesecake brownies are the ultimate dessert mashup! Imagine rich, fudgy brownies swirled with creamy, tangy cheesecake and bursts of sweet, juicy cherries. This recipe combines the best of both worlds, delivering a treat that’s both indulgent and satisfying. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving something extraordinary, these brownies are guaranteed to impress.

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **The Perfect Combination:** The fudgy brownie base perfectly complements the creamy cheesecake layer, creating a delightful textural contrast.
* **Sweet and Tangy Flavor:** The sweetness of the cherries and brownies is balanced by the tanginess of the cheesecake, making each bite irresistible.
* **Impressive Visual Appeal:** The swirling of the cheesecake and cherries creates a beautiful marbled effect that will wow your guests.
* **Relatively Easy to Make:** Despite their impressive appearance, these brownies are surprisingly straightforward to make, even for beginner bakers.
* **Adaptable:** You can easily customize this recipe to your liking by using different types of cherries, adding chocolate chips, or incorporating other flavorings.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need for both the brownie and cheesecake layers:

### For the Brownie Layer:

* **All-Purpose Flour:** Provides structure to the brownies. Use the spoon and level method for accurate measurement.
* **Unsweetened Cocoa Powder:** Adds rich chocolate flavor. Opt for Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a deeper, darker color and flavor.
* **Salt:** Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Baking Powder:** Helps the brownies rise slightly, resulting in a fudgy texture.
* **Unsalted Butter:** Provides richness and moisture. Melted butter contributes to a fudgy texture.
* **Granulated Sugar:** Adds sweetness and moisture.
* **Brown Sugar:** Adds moisture and a chewy texture, as well as a molasses flavor that complements the chocolate.
* **Eggs:** Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
* **Vanilla Extract:** Enhances the chocolate flavor.
* **Chocolate Chips (Optional):** Adds extra chocolatey goodness. Use your favorite type of chocolate chips – milk, semi-sweet, or dark.

### For the Cheesecake Layer:

* **Cream Cheese:** The base of the cheesecake layer, providing a rich and tangy flavor. Make sure to use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor.
* **Granulated Sugar:** Adds sweetness to the cheesecake layer.
* **Egg:** Binds the cheesecake ingredients together and adds richness.
* **Vanilla Extract:** Enhances the flavor of the cheesecake.
* **Sour Cream:** Adds moisture and tanginess to the cheesecake layer.
* **Cherry Pie Filling:** Provides the sweet and fruity cherry component. You can use store-bought or homemade cherry pie filling.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **9×13 Inch Baking Pan:** This is the ideal size for these brownies. You can also use an 8×8 inch pan for thicker brownies, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time.
* **Parchment Paper:** Lining the baking pan with parchment paper makes it easy to remove the brownies and prevents them from sticking.
* **Mixing Bowls:** You’ll need separate bowls for the brownie and cheesecake batters.
* **Electric Mixer:** A stand mixer or hand mixer will make it easier to cream the butter and sugar for the brownies and the cream cheese for the cheesecake.
* **Rubber Spatula:** For scraping down the sides of the bowls and folding in the ingredients.
* **Toothpick or Skewer:** For testing the doneness of the brownies and creating the swirl pattern.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the fun part: baking these delicious cherry cheesecake brownies!

### Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Layer

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
3. **Melt Butter and Sugar:** In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined.
4. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. **Stir in Chocolate Chips (Optional):** If using chocolate chips, fold them into the brownie batter.
7. **Pour into Baking Pan:** Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.

### Step 2: Prepare the Cheesecake Layer

1. **Soften Cream Cheese:** Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This will ensure a smooth and creamy cheesecake layer.
2. **Cream Cream Cheese and Sugar:** In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
3. **Add Egg and Vanilla:** Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. **Stir in Sour Cream:** Stir in the sour cream until smooth.

### Step 3: Assemble and Bake

1. **Pour Cheesecake Layer:** Carefully pour the cheesecake layer over the brownie layer, spreading it evenly.
2. **Spoon Cherry Pie Filling:** Spoon dollops of cherry pie filling over the cheesecake layer.
3. **Create Swirl Pattern:** Use a toothpick or skewer to swirl the cherry pie filling into the cheesecake layer, creating a marbled effect. Be careful not to overmix, as this can muddy the colors.
4. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with moist crumbs attached. The cheesecake layer should be set but still slightly jiggly.
5. **Cool Completely:** Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. This will allow the cheesecake layer to set properly and prevent the brownies from crumbling.
6. **Chill (Optional):** For even cleaner cuts and a firmer texture, chill the brownies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

## Tips for Success

* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature ingredients, especially the cream cheese and eggs, will help ensure a smooth and creamy cheesecake layer.
* **Don’t Overmix the Brownie Batter:** Overmixing the brownie batter can result in tough brownies. Mix until just combined.
* **Don’t Overbake the Brownies:** Overbaking the brownies will make them dry and crumbly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached.
* **Let the Brownies Cool Completely:** Letting the brownies cool completely before cutting them will prevent them from crumbling and allow the cheesecake layer to set properly.
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Using high-quality ingredients, especially the cocoa powder and chocolate chips, will result in a richer and more flavorful brownie.
* **Experiment with Flavors:** Feel free to experiment with different flavors and ingredients to customize this recipe to your liking. Try adding nuts, different types of chocolate chips, or different fruit fillings.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Different Fruit Fillings:** Instead of cherry pie filling, try using other fruit fillings such as raspberry, blueberry, or strawberry.
* **Chocolate Chips:** Use different types of chocolate chips, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate.
* **Nuts:** Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds, to the brownie batter or cheesecake layer.
* **Extracts:** Experiment with different extracts, such as almond extract or peppermint extract, to add a unique flavor to the brownies.
* **Gluten-Free:** To make these brownies gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
* **Dairy-Free:** To make these brownies dairy-free, use dairy-free butter, cream cheese, and sour cream.

## Serving Suggestions

These cherry cheesecake brownies are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with a variety of toppings and accompaniments.

* **Whipped Cream:** Top the brownies with a dollop of whipped cream for a light and airy addition.
* **Ice Cream:** Serve the brownies with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
* **Chocolate Sauce:** Drizzle the brownies with chocolate sauce for a richer chocolate flavor.
* **Caramel Sauce:** Drizzle the brownies with caramel sauce for a sweet and salty combination.
* **Fresh Berries:** Serve the brownies with fresh berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries, for a burst of freshness.

## Storing Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** These brownies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, store the brownies in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
* **Freezer:** These brownies can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container.

## Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Here’s the full recipe card:

**Yields:** 16 brownies
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 30-35 minutes

### Ingredients:

#### Brownie Layer:

* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

#### Cheesecake Layer:

* 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1 large egg
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup sour cream
* 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

### Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
3. In a large bowl, melt butter. Stir in granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips if using.
6. Pour brownie batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
7. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Stir in sour cream.
8. Pour cheesecake layer over brownie layer, spreading evenly.
9. Spoon dollops of cherry pie filling over cheesecake layer.
10. Use a toothpick or skewer to swirl cherry pie filling into cheesecake layer.
11. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached.
12. Cool completely in pan before cutting into squares. Chill for 30 minutes for cleaner cuts (optional).

## Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

* Calories: 250-300
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 10-12g
* Cholesterol: 50-60mg
* Sodium: 100-150mg
* Carbohydrates: 30-35g
* Sugar: 20-25g
* Protein: 3-4g

**Note:** Nutrition information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

## Conclusion

These cherry cheesecake brownies are a truly decadent and unforgettable treat. The combination of rich, fudgy brownies, creamy cheesecake, and sweet cherries is simply irresistible. So, grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of these amazing brownies! You won’t be disappointed. Enjoy!