Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

If you’re a fan of rich, fudgy brownies combined with the creamy tang of cheesecake and a burst of cherry sweetness, you’re going to be obsessed with this Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe. I absolutely love how the layers come together—each bite is like a little party in your mouth! Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, this recipe is straightforward and utterly delicious, so stick around and I’ll walk you through every step.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe, the ingredients come together to create that luxurious, layered texture. I like that using whole wheat flour gives the brownies a slight nuttiness without overpowering the classic chocolate flavor. Also, the cherry pie filling adds a pop of color and sweetness that just feels so festive.

• Butter: Use unsalted and melt it gently so it doesn’t cook the eggs later on.
• Granulated sugar: This provides the perfect sweetness to the brownie base.
• Vanilla extract: Always opt for pure vanilla—it makes such a difference in flavor depth.
• Eggs: Bring them to room temperature before mixing for better emulsion.
• Whole wheat flour: Makes these brownies a bit heartier, but feel free to sub all-purpose flour if you prefer.
• Cocoa powder: Choose a good-quality unsweetened variety for rich, chocolatey flavor.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance all the sweetness.
• Cream cheese: Full-fat is best here to get that creamy cheesecake layer.
• Cherry pie filling: This jarred filling adds bright, juicy cherries and that lovely gel-like texture.

Variations

I love making this Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe my own by switching things up depending on the season or what I have in the pantry. You can customize it with little tweaks to suit your preferences or dietary needs.

• Swap the cherry filling: When I don’t have cherry pie filling on hand, I sometimes use raspberry or strawberry preserves for a different fruity twist.
• Nutty crunch: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the brownie batter gave my family an unexpected satisfying crunch.
• Gluten-free option: I experimented once with a gluten-free flour blend, and it worked pretty well—just be mindful of baking time.
• Less sweet: If you prefer it less sugary, I cut down the sugar by about a quarter cup and it still tastes amazing.

How to Make Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

First things first: line a 9×13-inch baking pan with tin foil and spray it with cooking spray. Trust me, this little step makes cleanup so much easier—you can just lift the whole batch out when it’s done! Then preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly hot and ready to bake your masterpiece.

Step 2: Whisk Up the Brownie Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth. I like to cool the melted butter a bit before adding it so the sugar doesn’t get grainy. Then add the vanilla and eggs, mixing well until everything’s fully combined. Next, stir in the whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, and salt—you’ll have a thick, luscious brownie batter that smells like chocolate heaven.

Step 3: Layer the Brownies and Cheesecake

Spoon about half (or just over half) of the brownie batter into your pan, spreading it evenly. Don’t stress about smoothing it perfectly; you want enough to cover the pan. Now, whip up the cheesecake layer by beating together cream cheese, egg, vanilla, and sugar with an electric mixer until silky smooth. Spread this creamy mixture gently over the brownie layer.

Step 4: Add Cherry Filling and Top Layer

Spoon dollops of cherry pie filling over the cheesecake layer and give it a slight spread—this step makes the cherries peek through beautifully. Finally, drop spoonfuls of the remaining brownie batter on top. The batter won’t spread easily here, but use your spoon or spatula to cover as much cherry filling as possible. The little bits of cherry peeking through make these brownies extra special.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake in your preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. The center might still jiggle a bit because of that luscious cheesecake and cherry layer—don’t worry, that’s perfect! I like to bake mine for the full 35 minutes when using a dark non-stick pan for even cooking. Once out, let it cool at room temperature. They cut more cleanly after a few hours in the fridge, but honestly, I usually can’t wait that long.

How to Serve Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Garnishes

When I serve these brownies, I like to dust a light sprinkle of powdered sugar over the top for a pretty, festive look. Fresh cherries or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate on each piece always takes them up a notch—and of course, a dollop of whipped cream never hurts!

Side Dishes

This Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe makes such a fabulous dessert paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of strong black coffee. Sometimes my guests and I enjoy them with a side of vanilla Greek yogurt to complement the tartness of the cherries.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or special occasions, I like to cut these brownies into mini squares and skew them along with fresh cherries on decorative toothpicks for a fun finger-food dessert tray. Another time, I layered the brownies in a glass trifle dish with extra cherry sauce and whipped cream for an impressive party centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover Cherry Cheesecake Brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay moist and flavorful for about 3-4 days, which is perfect because they rarely last longer than that!

Freezing

If you want to stash some away, these brownies freeze wonderfully. I wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then foil before freezing. They thaw nicely overnight in the fridge and taste just as delicious as fresh.

Reheating

To warm them up, I pop a brownie in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. This revives their fudgy texture without drying them out. Just be careful not to overheat, or the cheesecake layer might get a little soft.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen when I want to impress without stress. The combination of fudgy brownies, creamy cheesecake, and vibrant cherries feels like a hug in dessert form. I can’t wait for you to try making these—your family and friends will absolutely go crazy over them. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy every delicious bite like I do!

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