Description
Rich fudgy brownies meet tangy cherry cheesecake in this impressive dessert that looks as incredible as it tastes. The sweet-tart cherry topping perfectly balances the creamy cheesecake layer and chocolate base for a bakery-worthy treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 box brownie mix
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup cherries
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 large egg (for brownie mix)
- 1 large egg (for cheesecake)
- Water (as per package instructions)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Sweeteners and Flavorings:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix the 18 oz brownie mix with ¼ cup water, ⅓ cup oil, and 1 large egg according to package directions. Spread the batter smoothly across a greased 9×13 inch pan.
- Grab your stand mixer and whip the 8 oz softened cream cheese until completely smooth and silky.
- Incorporate ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 large egg into the cream cheese mixture. Beat until the texture becomes creamy and uniform.
- Carefully drizzle the cheesecake mixture over the brownie base, ensuring an even layer covers the entire surface.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of halved pitted cherries across the cheesecake layer, gently pressing them slightly into the mixture.
- Slide the pan into a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for exactly 28 minutes. The cheesecake should look set with a light golden color around the edges.
- Remove the pan and let your brownies rest at room temperature for 45 minutes to stabilize their structure.
- Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for 3 hours to help the layers set completely before slicing into square servings.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing that creates a silky cheesecake layer.
- Drain cherries well before adding to prevent excess liquid from making the brownies soggy and compromising the texture.
- For a gluten-free version, swap the standard brownie mix with a gluten-free alternative that matches the same measurements.
- Refrigerating allows the layers to set completely, giving clean-cut squares with distinct brownie and cheesecake sections.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Brownies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9 to 12
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg