Introduction

Indulge in the rich and velvety flavors of these Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies. This delightful treat combines the deep cocoa notes of brownies with creamy, tangy cheesecake swirls for a dessert that’s both decadent and beautiful. Perfect for special occasions or whenever you crave something sweet and impressive.

A stack of three square red velvet brownies with white cream cheese swirls on top sits on a white marbled surface. The brownies have a rich dark red color with creamy white patterns unevenly spread on the top layer. The texture looks soft and slightly crumbly, with the edges of the brownies clean and sharp. In the blurred background, more brownies are visible on the same white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring it covers the entire pan with an overhang to make removal easier.

Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter, 1 cup sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Whisk until the mixture is fully blended and has a vibrant red color.

Step 3: Gradually fold in cocoa powder, flour, and salt into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until the batter is smooth and uniform, taking care not to overmix.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is silky smooth and free of lumps.

Step 5: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly to form a consistent base layer.

Step 6: Spoon dollops of the cheesecake mixture over the brownie batter. Using a knife, gently swirl the two mixtures to create marbled patterns throughout.

Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the edges are set and slightly crisp and the center is just set.

Step 8: Remove the pan from the oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan to allow them to set fully and slice cleanly.

Step 9: Lift the cooled brownies out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares for serving.

Tips & Variations

For a richer cheesecake flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cheesecake batter.

Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red without altering the batter’s consistency.

Try folding in white chocolate chips into the brownie batter for extra bursts of sweetness.

If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the sugar in the cream cheese mixture by a tablespoon.

FAQs

Can I use a different pan size to bake these brownies?

Yes, but keep in mind that changing the pan size will affect the baking time. A larger pan will result in thinner brownies and a shorter bake time, while a smaller pan means thicker brownies and potentially longer baking.

What if I don’t have red food coloring?

You can omit the red food coloring and still enjoy delicious cheesecake swirl brownies, though they won’t have the signature red velvet color. Alternatively, natural colorings like beet juice can be used, but the intensity may vary.