This stunning Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe delivers a rich, fudgy brownie base beautifully swirled with creamy cheesecake and bright strawberry for a truly decadent and easy-to-make treat.
This Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe is my secret weapon for when I need a truly impressive dessert without spending all day in the kitchen. The story begins with a last-minute request for me to bring something to a school bake sale in our town. My schedule was completely packed, but I still wanted to make something that would stand out. Remembering my love for elevating a simple box mix, a brilliant concept that experts at The Kitchn have perfected, I decided to take a classic, fudgy brownie base and swirl it with a luscious, tangy cheesecake filling and sweet strawberry jam. The result was this recipe—a dessert so beautiful and delicious, no one will ever guess it started with such a simple shortcut.
🟫 Why This Is So Good
- Easy Shortcut, Gourmet Results – This recipe cleverly uses a brownie box mix as a base, which saves a ton of time while still delivering a homemade, gourmet-quality dessert.
- Three Desserts in One – You get the rich, fudgy goodness of a brownie, the creamy, tangy delight of a cheesecake, and the sweet, fruity burst of strawberry all in one perfect square.
- Absolutely Beautiful – The beautiful swirls of white cheesecake and red strawberry against the dark brownie are visually stunning, making this a true showstopper for any occasion.
- A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser – The combination of chocolate, cheesecake, and strawberry is a universally loved trifecta of flavors. These are always the first to disappear from the dessert table.
The first time I made these for that bake sale, they were gone in under an hour. One of the other moms came up to me and said, “Clare, I have to have your from-scratch brownie recipe! These are the best I’ve ever tasted.” I smiled and let her in on my little secret: it all started with a simple box mix. Her jaw dropped! It was such a fun moment, and it proved that this Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe wasn’t just a dessert; it was a little bit of kitchen magic. The key to that beautiful look is all in the wrist, and learning how to make perfect swirls can make any dessert look professional. For more advanced recipes, visit Bake Warely.
🟫 Getting Your Ingredients Right
- The Brownie Mix: Choose a good quality, “fudgy” style brownie mix rather than a “cakey” one for the best rich and dense base. A mix that calls for oil instead of butter often yields the fudgiest results. I find a brand like Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix works beautifully.
- The Cream Cheese: This is non-negotiable—use full-fat, block-style cream cheese, and make sure it is fully softened to room temperature. This is the secret to a perfectly smooth, lump-free cheesecake layer.
- The Strawberry Jam: Use a good quality strawberry jam or puree. Look for one with real fruit pieces for the best flavor and texture in the swirl of your Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For the cheesecake layer, having your cream cheese and egg at room temperature is crucial. It allows them to blend together seamlessly into a velvety smooth batter.
🟫 Making It Step by Step
Prepare the Brownie and Cheesecake Batters
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to act as a “sling,” which will make removal a breeze. While the oven heats up, prepare the brownie batter in a large bowl according to the package directions. Next, in a separate medium bowl, you can make the cheesecake filling. To start, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. After that, beat in the egg and vanilla extract, followed by the all-purpose flour and optional sour cream, mixing on low until everything is just combined. Above all, be careful not to overmix.
Create the Beautiful Swirl
Now for the fun and creative part of our Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe. Pour about two-thirds of your prepared brownie batter into the lined baking pan and spread it into an even layer. Next, dollop the cheesecake mixture evenly over the brownie batter. Then, dollop the remaining brownie batter and the strawberry jam over the cheesecake layer. You should have a patchwork of dark brown, white, and red. Take a butter knife or a skewer and gently drag it through the batters in a figure-eight or S-shaped motion to create a beautiful marbled or swirled effect. Don’t overdo it—just a few passes is all you need.
Bake to Fudgy Perfection
Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The edges should look set, and the center should be just barely set—it might have a very slight jiggle, which is perfectly fine. A toothpick inserted into the brownie portion should come out with moist, fudgy crumbs attached, not wet batter. This is the key to an ultra-fudgy brownie base. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before even thinking about slicing them.
🟫 Making Sure It Turns Out
- Don’t Overmix the Batters: For both the brownie and cheesecake layers, mix only until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough brownie and a cracked cheesecake layer.
- Room Temperature is Key: Using room temperature cream cheese and eggs for the cheesecake layer is the secret to a perfectly smooth, lump-free filling.
- Don’t Overbake: This is the most important tip for a fudgy brownie. Pull them from the oven when the center is just set. They will continue to cook and firm up as they cool.
My first attempt at cheesecake brownies resulted in a dry, cakey brownie layer that I was so disappointed with. I had baked them until a toothpick came out completely clean, which is what I thought you were supposed to do. I learned that for a truly fudgy brownie, you want that toothpick to have some moist crumbs clinging to it. That one little adjustment is what perfected this Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe for me.
🟫 Perfect Serving Ideas
These Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe delights are incredibly rich and decadent, so a small square is the perfect serving size. They are a complete dessert on their own, wonderful with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. They are the perfect treat to bring to a potluck, a holiday party, or simply to have on hand for a special weeknight dessert. Garnish with a fresh strawberry slice for an extra elegant touch.
🟫 Making It Different
This recipe is a fantastic template for other flavor combinations. Try using a different fruit jam, like raspberry or cherry, for the swirl. You could also swap the brownie mix for a blondie mix for a completely different base flavor. For extra texture, consider adding a ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the brownie batter.
🟫 Storage and Leftovers
Because of the cream cheese layer, these brownies should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 5 days. They are actually delicious served chilled, straight from the fridge, or you can let them sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before serving.
🟫 Tips That Actually Help
- Use a Parchment Sling: Lining your baking pan with parchment paper that overhangs on two sides allows you to easily lift the entire slab of cooled brownies out for clean, perfect cuts.
- Cool Completely: Be patient! For the cleanest slices, the brownies must be completely cooled. For extra firm brownies, you can even chill them in the fridge for an hour before cutting.
- Dollop for Better Swirls: Instead of pouring the batters, dolloping them in an alternating pattern gives you much more control for creating beautiful, distinct swirls.
The dolloping technique was a true game-changer for the look of these brownies. I used to just pour the cheesecake batter over the brownie batter, and when I swirled, the colors would often get muddy. By creating a checkerboard of dollops, the batters stay more distinct, and a gentle swirl with a knife creates those beautiful, dramatic ribbons of color. It’s the simple trick that makes this Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe look like it came from a professional bakery.
This Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe is my go-to for proving that a shortcut can still be a showstopper. It’s a recipe that brings so much joy and gets so many compliments, and it’s my little secret how easy it truly is. I hope this recipe brings a little bit of that easy elegance and deliciousness into your home.
🟫 Frequently Asked Questions
→ Can I use a homemade brownie recipe instead of a box mix? Absolutely! If you have a favorite fudgy brownie recipe for an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan, feel free to use that as your base.
→ Do I have to use room temperature cream cheese? Yes, this is very important. Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy cheesecake batter that won’t be smooth and creamy.
→ Can I use frozen strawberries instead of jam? I recommend using jam or a puree for the best texture. Frozen strawberries can release too much water, making the cheesecake layer runny.
→ Can I freeze these Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies? Yes, they freeze beautifully! Once cooled and cut, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator.
→ Why did my cheesecake layer crack? Cracking is usually caused by overmixing the cheesecake batter (especially after adding the egg) or by overbaking.
→ How do I get clean cuts? For the cleanest slices, make sure the brownies are completely cooled or even chilled. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut.
Print
Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
Description
A decadent and easy Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe with a fudgy brownie base and a creamy strawberry cheesecake swirl.
Ingredients
→ For the Brownie Layer:
- 1 box (18 oz) fudgy brownie mix
- Ingredients called for on the box (e.g., water, oil, eggs)
→ For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sour cream (optional)
- ¼ cup strawberry jam or puree
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- Make Batters: In a large bowl, prepare the brownie batter according to package directions. In a separate medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar with a mixer until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla, flour, and sour cream until just combined.
- Layer: Pour about ⅔ of the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Dollop the cheesecake mixture over the brownie batter.
- Swirl: Dollop the remaining brownie batter and the strawberry jam over the cheesecake layer. Use a knife to gently swirl the batters together.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the brownie part comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool Completely: Let the Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before using the parchment sling to remove and slice.
Notes
- Room Temperature is Key: Use a softened block of cream cheese and a room temperature egg for a smooth, lump-free cheesecake layer.
- Don’t Overbake: For the fudgiest brownies, pull them from the oven when the center is just barely set.
- Cool Before Cutting: For clean, perfect squares, the brownies must be completely cool before you slice them.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Brownies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe
