Luscious Brownies With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Rich chocolate brownies meet their match in creamy cream cheese frosting, creating a decadent dessert that melts hearts.
Layers of intense cocoa and tangy cheese dance together in perfect harmony.
Each bite promises pure indulgence with a luxurious texture that lingers.
The contrast between deep chocolate and smooth frosting makes these brownies irresistible.
Home bakers will love how simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.
Chocolate lovers won’t be able to resist this ultimate sweet treat that elevates dessert from ordinary to spectacular.
Prepare to experience brownie bliss like never before.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 275 kcal
Servings: 17
Everything That Makes Brownies With Cream Cheese Frosting Better
For Brownie Base:
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and soft texture, choose unbleached for best results.
Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor, Dutch-processed creates deeper color and taste.
Baking Powder: Helps brownies rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
Salt: Enhances overall chocolate flavor, use fine sea salt for smooth distribution.
For Sweet Foundation:
Granulated Sugar: Creates sweetness and helps caramelize edges, look for fine-grain options.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel notes, select fresh, clump-free variety.
For Binding And Moisture:
Eggs: Bind ingredients and create dense texture, use room temperature for smooth mixing.
Vanilla Extract: Intensifies chocolate flavor, choose pure extract over imitation.
Melted Butter: Provides richness and tender crumb, use unsalted for controlled saltiness.
Chocolate Chips: Adds extra chocolate bursts, semi-sweet works best for balanced sweetness.
Tools You’ll Want For Brownies With Cream Cheese Frosting
Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients smoothly.
Whisk: Essential for blending sugars and eggs without lumps.
Separate mixing bowl: Needed for sifting dry ingredients.
9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal size for spreading brownie batter evenly.
Parchment paper or cooking spray: Ensures easy brownie removal.
Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Helps remove lumps from flour and cocoa.
Spatula: Great for folding chocolate chips and spreading batter.
Toothpick: Crucial for checking brownie doneness.
How To Bake Brownies With Cream Cheese Frosting
Heat Up the Oven Blast your oven to a toasty 350°F and get a 9×13 inch pan ready by giving it a quick spray or laying down parchment paper.
Create the Wet Mix Grab a big bowl and whisk together melted butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until they're dancing together smoothly.
Blend in the Moisture Crack in the eggs and splash of vanilla, whisking until everything looks perfectly combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, gently sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder until they're light and airy.
Mix and Marry Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until they're friends. Toss in chocolate chips if you're feeling extra indulgent.
Spread the Love Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly like you're tucking it into bed.
Bake to Perfection Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You'll know they're done when a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging on.
Cool and Chill Let the brownies cool completely before adding any frosting – patience is key to brownie perfection!
Pro Tips For Brownies With Cream Cheese Frosting Perfection
Baking Bliss Tips & Flavor Adventures
Fudgy Texture Secret: Let eggs and butter reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother, more even brownie batter that creates a rich, decadent texture.
Chocolate Intensity Boost: Use high-quality dark cocoa powder or swap half the cocoa with melted dark chocolate to enhance the deep, complex chocolate flavor profile.
Gluten-Free Magic: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the classic brownie taste.
Frosting Flavor Twist: Experiment with cream cheese frosting variations by adding orange zest, mint extract, or a hint of espresso powder to create unexpected and delightful taste combinations.
Healthy Swap Option: Substitute half the butter with mashed avocado or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining moisture and creating a slightly lighter brownie texture.
Serve Brownies With Cream Cheese Frosting Like A Pro
Sweet Social Gathering Platter: Slice brownies into bite-sized squares and arrange on a decorative serving tray with fresh berries scattered around for color and freshness.
Weekend Movie Night Treat: Pair warm brownies with vanilla bean ice cream and drizzle with warm chocolate sauce for an indulgent dessert experience.
Afternoon Coffee Companion: Cut brownies into elegant triangles and serve alongside espresso or cappuccino for a luxurious midday break.
Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package cooled brownies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, perfect for homemade gifts or potluck contributions.
Storing Brownies With Cream Cheese Frosting Made Easy
Refrigerator Storage Haven: Keep frosted brownies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing moisture loss.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare brownie batter and store unbaked in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 24 hours before baking, allowing deeper flavor development and convenient meal planning.
Freezer-Friendly Treat: Wrap individual brownies or entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving to maintain texture and taste.
Portion Control Strategy: Cut brownies into uniform squares, separate layers with parchment paper when storing, making it easy to grab a single serving without disrupting the entire batch.
Irresistible cream cheese frosted brownies blend rich chocolate with tangy cream cheese for an indulgent dessert. Each fudgy bite promises pure chocolate bliss that satisfies serious sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
3 large eggs
1 cup (226 grams or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 ¼ cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
¾ cup (165 grams) light brown sugar, packed
1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup chocolate chips (optional, for extra fudginess)
2 tsps vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
8 oz (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (113 grams or 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with butter.
Mixing Base: Combine melted butter with granulated and brown sugars, whisking until smooth and glossy. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, blending until fully integrated.
Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder together, eliminating any potential clumps. Fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture with gentle, careful motions to preserve the batter’s delicate texture.
Chocolate Enhancement: Gently fold chocolate chips throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution across the mixture.
Baking Process: Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan, reaching all corners. Bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a set exterior with a slightly soft center that indicates perfect doneness.
Cooling and Finishing: Remove from oven and allow brownies to cool completely, enabling the internal structure to stabilize. Once cooled, prepare to layer with cream cheese frosting, elevating the rich chocolate base into a decadent dessert experience.
Notes
Master Chocolate Distribution: Gently fold chocolate chips into the batter to prevent sinking, ensuring each bite delivers consistent chocolatey goodness.
Prevent Overbaking Trap: Check brownies at 25 minutes and remove when edges look set but center remains slightly soft to maintain a fudgy, moist texture.
Temperature Control Technique: Allow brownies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a clean, smooth cream cheese layer.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same measurement for a celiac-friendly version.
Nutritional Analysis, Dietary Accommodations, Food Writing and Blogging,
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.
Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.
Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.
Olivia Bennett
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Nutritional Analysis, Dietary Accommodations, Food Writing and Blogging,
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.
Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.