Chocolate fudge cream cheese brownies are so much more than your typical dessert. There is a time and a place for a box of brownie mix. How many times have I whipped up a batch to take to a last-minute gathering? 20 times? 30 times? I’m not gonna lie, Betty Crocker is pretty good at what she does and she’s an awesome pinch hitter for when I’m off my game.
But Betty and I can have no ties on Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day calls for something really special… something my husband will swoon over and talk about until Valentine’s Day next year. That’s why I decided to pull out all the stops last week and make my hubby a batch of these chocolate fudge cream cheese brownies.
Everything about them is decadent. They’re crunchy around the edges, gooey in the middle, and marbled with a tangy cream cheese swirl. They are a chocolate lover’s dream come true… and, thus, a direct route to my husband’s heart. 🙂
How to Make Chocolate Fudge Cream Cheese Brownies
Making chocolate fudge cream cheese brownies from scratch is easier than you might think! With just a few simple steps, you’ll create a dessert that’s rich, gooey, and absolutely irresistible. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture
Start by heating your oven to 350 degrees and greasing a 13×9 glass pan. Then, beat together an 8 oz package of cream cheese, 1 egg, and 1/4 cup of sugar. Use an electric hand mixer to beat the mixture for about 2 minutes or until it is nice and smooth.
Now add in a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Set this bowl aside while you make the fudge.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate for the Fudge
In another glass bowl, pour in another cup of chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of butter cut into small pieces.
Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a saucepan and then put the bowl of chocolate chips on top. The steam from the water will begin to melt the chocolate and butter. Stir it continuously until there are no more chunks.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients for the Chocolate Fudge Cream Cheese Brownies Mixture
Remove the fudge from the heat. Stir in another 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 eggs, 2/3 cup of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of Kosher salt.
When it is well combined, you should have a smooth brownie mixture that slowly falls from the spatula.
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
Pour half of the brownie mixture into the bottom of the glass pan. You can use a regular 13 x 9 pan for classic-sized cream cheese brownies, or use an 8 x 8 pan for a thicker version.
Spread the cream cheese mixture over the chocolate.
Step 5: Create the Swirl
Now spoon the remaining chocolate over the chocolate fudge cream cheese brownies in big blobs. It doesn’t need to look nice because you are going to swirl it all together.
Grab a butter knife and swirl the cream cheese brownies by moving the knife up and down across the pan. You should have a pretty marbled look.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the brownies at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. If you are using an 8 x 8 pan, expect to add another 5-10 minutes for the chocolate fudge cream cheese brownies to be fully baked. You will know they are done when the edges start to crinkle and pull away from the sides.
Let the chocolate fudge cream cheese brownies cool inside the pan for an hour on a wire rack, and then chill them in the fridge for 2 hours. This, of course, is the recommended procedure, but that never happens in my house. I always bake them before Dan gets home (and then hide them) because they’ll be gone before I have a chance to take a bite.
Sweet Family Moments
Cute little boys like this one (Caleb, my third) smell the chocolate fudge cream cheese brownies the moment they’re done and then bring me pretty flowers from the garden in hopes of flattering me for a piece. It always works! I mean, really, look at that face. How can I deny such a sweet (and conniving!) little rascal? What can I say? I love all my boys!
Imagine the looks on your friend’s faces when you bring a tray of these to the next party. You’ll have friends for life! And ya know, Easter is not that far off. These chocolate fudge cream cheese brownies would be perfect to set out on a tray or put in the bottom of a brownie sundae.
For more delectable dessert ideas, try my 3-step crockpot peach cobbler or my pistachio coconut pudding cake. For even more inspiration, follow my boards on Pinterest. Happy cooking, y’all!
