Decadent Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Bars Recipe

Introducing the Ultimate Fusion Dessert: Decadent Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Bars

Are you searching for a dessert that perfectly marries the intense, fudgy satisfaction of a brownie with the ethereal, creamy dreaminess of cheesecake? If you’re looking for a treat that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious, and can satisfy both your chocolate cravings and your desire for something tangy and sweet, then you’ve landed in the right place. These Decadent Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Bars are not just a dessert; they’re an experience. They deliver an irresistible combination of rich chocolatey goodness and the creamy delight of cheesecake, all swirled together into perfect, shareable bars. Get ready to transform your dessert game!

The Symphony of Flavors: Ingredients You’ll Need

To create these show-stopping bars, you’ll be working with two distinct but complementary components: the rich brownie base and the tangy cheesecake topping. We’ve included sensory descriptions to help you appreciate the magic of each ingredient!

For the Decadent Brownie Base:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted: This provides a liquid gold base, ensuring a moist and fudgy texture with a rich, buttery aroma.
• 2 cups granulated sugar: For that classic sweetness that balances the dark chocolate, creating a delightful crystal crunch on top.
• 4 large eggs, room temperature: They bind everything together, adding richness and that desirable chewy texture. Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: The “flavor enhancer” – it rounds out the chocolate and adds a warm, aromatic depth.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour: Just enough to give structure without making the brownies cakey; it’s the framework for our fudgy delight.
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: The heart of our brownie, providing a deep, dark, and intensely chocolatey flavor with a slightly bitter edge that complements sweetness. Use good quality for the best taste.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Essential for amplifying the chocolate flavors and cutting through the sweetness.
• ½ cup chocolate chips (semisweet or dark): For pockets of molten chocolate throughout the brownie layer, adding extra indulgence.

For the Creamy Cheesecake Swirl:

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened: The star of our cheesecake layer, providing a tangy, luxurious creaminess. Ensure it’s truly soft for a smooth, lump-free mixture.
• ½ cup granulated sugar: To sweeten the tangy cream cheese and create a delicate, yielding texture.
• 1 large egg: Acts as a binder, giving the cheesecake layer structure and a rich mouthfeel.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: To add a hint of fragrance and enhance the creamy, smooth flavor.
• ½ cup cherry preserves or pie filling: This is where the fruity magic happens! Adds vibrant bursts of sweet-tart cherry flavor and a beautiful marbling effect. You can use whole cherries if you prefer a more rustic texture.

The Sweetest Timing: Prep and Bake

Compared to average brownie recipes (typically 40-50 minutes total time), these bars require a bit more attention due to the two-layer construction. However, the slightly extended time is well worth the incredible flavor and texture payoff! The chilling time is crucial for the cheesecake to set perfectly.

Crafting Your Masterpiece: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Base

First things first, let’s get that rich, fudgy brownie base going. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This makes lifting the bars out a breeze!

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined. The mixture should look glossy. Now, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix – we want tender brownies! Gently fold in the chocolate chips for those delightful pockets of melty goodness.

Spread this thick, luscious batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Your kitchen should already be starting to smell divine!

Step 2: Create the Cheesecake Topping

Now for the creamy counterpart! In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the ½ cup granulated sugar until it’s smooth and creamy. This is your moment for a silky-smooth texture – no lumps allowed! Beat in the egg and the remaining vanilla extract until just combined. Overbeating at this stage can lead to cracks in your cheesecake layer, so be gentle.

Here comes the fun part: You’ll dollop spoonfuls of the cheesecake mixture over the brownie batter. Then, dollop spoonfuls of your cherry preserves or pie filling over the cheesecake. Don’t worry about perfect placement; that’s what the swirling is for!

Step 3: Swirl and Bake

Grab a butter knife or a skewer, and gently swirl the cheesecake and cherry mixtures into the brownie batter. Create beautiful marbled patterns, but try not to over-swirl, as you want distinct layers to show through. Aim for elegant ribbons of color and flavor.

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The edges of the brownies should be set, and the cheesecake layer should be mostly set with a slight jiggle in the center. A toothpick inserted into the brownie portion should come out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter. The cheesecake layer should look set but not browned.

Step 4: Cool and Cut

This is arguably the hardest part: patience! Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. This can take a couple of hours. Then, cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling is essential for the cheesecake to fully set, making for clean, perfect cuts. Once chilled thoroughly, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab out of the pan. Cut into bars using a sharp knife!

A Peek at the Goodness: Nutritional Highlights

While these bars are a treat intended for enjoyment, here’s a general idea of what you’ll find in a single serving. Please note that exact values can vary based on ingredient brands and exact portion sizes.

• Calories: Approximately 350-450 per bar
• Fat: 20-30g (includes saturated and unsaturated fats)
• Carbohydrates: 35-45g
• Protein: 5-8g
• Sugar: 30-40g

A Lighter Touch: Healthier Alternatives

Want to make these slightly lighter without sacrificing too much flavor? Consider these swaps:

• Brownie Base: Use half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour for added fiber. Reduce the sugar slightly, or use pure maple syrup as a sweetener, though this may alter texture. Use mini chocolate chips to distribute sweetness more evenly with less volume.
• Cheesecake Layer: Opt for light cream cheese or Greek yogurt (full-fat plain) for a tangier, lower-fat base. Use a sugar substitute or a natural sweetener like stevia or erythritol.
• Cherry Swirl: Use unsweetened fruit purée combined with a touch of natural sweetener. Look for cherry preserves with minimal added sugar.

Serving Suggestions: Elevate Your Dessert Experience

These bars are a showstopper on their own, but here are a few ideas to make them even more special:

• Serve slightly chilled for the best texture.
• A dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream complements the rich flavors beautifully.
• Garnish with a fresh cherry or a sprinkle of shaved dark chocolate for an extra touch of elegance.

Navigating the Bake: Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure your Cherry Cheesecake Brownies are perfect, steer clear of these common pitfalls:

• Overmixing the batter: This develops gluten, leading to tough brownies instead of fudgy ones.
• Not softening cream cheese enough: Lumpy cheesecake is nobody’s friend. Ensure it’s at room temperature.
• Overbaking: Dry brownies and cracked cheesecake are the result. Watch for the set edges and slight jiggle.
• Cutting too soon: Impatience can lead to messy bars. Chilling is crucial for clean slices.

Keeping Them Fresh: Storing Your Baked Goods

Proper storage ensures these decadent bars remain delightful:

• Refrigeration is Key: Due to the cream cheese and egg in the topping, these bars *must* be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Shelf Life: They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days when stored properly.
• Freezing: You can freeze the whole slab or individual bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Decadent Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

Cherry Cheesecake Brownies Bars are an irresistible dessert that brings together the best of both worlds — the rich chocolatey goodness of brownies and the creamy delight of cheesecake.

• Author: Chef Samantha

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• For the Cheesecake Centre:
• 250 gcream cheese, softened
• 100 ggranulated sugar
• 1large egg
• 0.5 tspvanilla extract
• 24 gplain flour
• 225 gglacé cherries, chopped
• For the Brownie Batter:
• 220 gplain flour
• 50 gcocoa powder
• 0.25 tspbaking soda
• 227 gunsalted butter
• 4large eggs
• 220 glight brown sugar
• 200 ggranulated sugar
• 2 tspvanilla extract
• 135 gdark or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, begin by beating together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. It’s essential to use softened cream cheese to avoid lumps. Once smooth, add in the egg, continuing to mix until fully incorporated. Finally, sift in the flour and gently blend until you achieve a uniform consistency. Carefully fold in the chopped glacé cherries, ensuring they are evenly distributed, then set the mixture aside while preparing the brownie base.
2. Next, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) if you haven’t done so already. While the oven warms up, prepare your baking pan by lightly greasing it and lining it with parchment paper. In a separate bowl, sift together the plain flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda — this process aerates the mixture and prevents lumps.
3. Now, in a large mixing bowl, melt the unsalted butter and mix it with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer set on low speed. Mixing at a slower pace helps to incorporate the sugars evenly. Once the mixture is combined, add in all four eggs at once, mixing for about 10 minutes until the sugars have fully dissolved and the batter reaches a glossy texture.
4. Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully until just combined to avoid overmixing. With the dry ingredients incorporated, add in the chocolate chips and stir them in by hand for the same reason. Once fully mixed, spread half of the brownie batter evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Then, carefully spoon the cheesecake mixture on top, smoothing it out gently with an offset spatula.
5. Finally, top the cheesecake layer with the remaining brownie batter, ensuring that it is evenly distributed. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. The top should appear crackled and dry, and the edges slightly pull away from the sides of the pan. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs — if it comes out wet, bake for another few minutes. Once baked, allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares or bars. These can be stored in an airtight container or even frozen for later enjoyment.

Notes

Make sure to use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter. Adjust the baking time according to your oven; every model has slight temperature variations. If you prefer a thicker cheesecake layer, simply double the cheesecake ingredients and adjust the baking time accordingly.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal
• Protein: 4 g