Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter: The butter is melted and mixed with cocoa powder to form the base of the brownies. It provides moisture and a rich, buttery flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: Sugar adds sweetness and helps create the fudgy texture we love in brownies.
- 3 large eggs: Eggs help bind the ingredients together and contribute to the soft and chewy texture.
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder: This is the source of the chocolate flavor. Use a good-quality cocoa powder for the best taste.
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Flour provides structure to the brownies.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: A small amount of salt enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness.
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla adds depth of flavor and enhances the taste of both the brownie and cheesecake layers.
For the Cheesecake:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened: This is the star of the cheesecake layer. Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the mixture.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the tanginess of the cream cheese.
- 1 large egg: Helps bind the cheesecake mixture together.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds flavor and complements the richness of the cream cheese.
- 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling: This adds bursts of fruity flavor and a beautiful color contrast to the brownies. You can also substitute with fresh or frozen cherries if you prefer a less sweet filling.
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Before anything else, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. This will ensure your brownies bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan.
2. Make the Brownie Batter
In a large saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup (2 sticks) of butter. Once melted, remove the pan from the heat and stir in 3/4 cup of cocoa powder until smooth and well combined. Let this mixture cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, and 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Gradually whisk the cooled chocolate-butter mixture into the egg mixture, stirring until everything is well combined.
In another bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter to maintain that dense, fudgy texture.
3. Prepare the Cheesecake Layer
In a medium-sized bowl, beat 8 ounces of softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add in 1 large egg and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, beating again until everything is thoroughly combined and silky.
4. Assemble the Layers
Now comes the fun part—layering the brownie batter and cheesecake filling! Pour half of the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly to cover the bottom.
Next, spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the brownie batter. You can use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to ensure it’s spread out evenly.
Then, spoon dollops of cherry pie filling on top of the cheesecake layer. Finally, pour the remaining brownie batter over the top, spreading it as evenly as possible.
5. Create the Swirl
To create that beautiful marbled effect, take a knife and gently swirl the brownie batter, cheesecake layer, and cherry filling together. Be careful not to over-swirl, as you want distinct ribbons of brownie, cheesecake, and cherry.
6. Bake to Perfection
Place the assembled brownies in your preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (but not raw batter). Avoid over-baking, as you want the brownies to remain fudgy and moist.
7. Cool and Serve
Once baked, let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. For cleaner, neater slices, chill the brownies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Dark Chocolate Lovers: For an even deeper chocolate flavor, swap the cocoa powder for melted dark chocolate. You can use about 1 cup of melted dark chocolate in place of the cocoa powder in the brownie batter.
- Fruit Alternatives: If cherry isn’t your favorite, you can easily replace the cherry pie filling with other fruit fillings like blueberry, raspberry, or even mixed berry. If using fresh or frozen fruit, toss it with a tablespoon of sugar and cornstarch to thicken the juices while baking.
- Crunchy Addition: If you love a bit of texture in your desserts, try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the brownie batter before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 45 Minutes