These cheesecake brownies from brownie mix have a fudgy brownie base with a creamy cheesecake swirl.
I make these when I want something a little more than plain brownies without starting from scratch.
The brownie batter comes from a box, and the cheesecake mixture takes just a few minutes to make.
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Ingredients You'll Need
Brownie base ingredients
Cheesecake ingredients
Notes and Substitutions
- Brownie mix: Use one regular box (about 18 ounces). Any brand works.
- Water: You can use the same amount of milk, buttermilk, or cooled brewed coffee instead.
- Instant coffee: Optional, for a stronger chocolate taste. Leave it out if you're using brewed coffee.
- Cream cheese: Use a block of cream cheese. Let it soften at room temperature so it mixes smoothly without lumps.
- Egg: The cheesecake mixture needs 1 egg, in addition to the eggs listed on the brownie mix box.
How to Make Cheesecake Brownies
Preheat the oven to the temperature listed on the brownie mix box.
Grease a 9×9-inch pan and line it with parchment paper.
Step 1: Make the cheesecake mixture
In a bowl, combine:
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- ¼ cup sugar
- a pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Beat with a hand mixer on medium-low speed until smooth.
Add 1 egg and mix just until combined. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the brownie batter and fill the pan
Prepare the brownie mix with the eggs, water, and oil listed on the package.
Mix in the instant coffee, if using.
Spread the brownie batter evenly in the pan.
Add spoonfuls of the cheesecake mixture across the top.
Use a knife or chopstick to gently swirl the cheesecake into the brownie batter. Move it back and forth a few times.
Don't mix too much, so you can still see the cheesecake swirls.
Step 3: Bake and cool
Start with the package baking time for a 9×9-inch pan. The cheesecake topping may need a few extra minutes.
The cheesecake should look set, with no wet spots in the center.
A toothpick inserted into the brownie part should come out with a few moist crumbs and no wet batter.
Let the brownies cool in the pan. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to cut.
Tips for Cheesecake Brownies
- Soften the cream cheese first. Cold cream cheese is harder to mix and can leave lumps.
- Keep the swirl simple. A few strokes are enough to mix the layers without losing the pattern.
- Check both layers. The cheesecake should look set, and the brownie underneath should have no wet batter.
- Chill before cutting. The cheesecake firms up in the refrigerator, making the bars easier to slice.
Recipe FAQs
The cheesecake should look set, without wet spots in the center. Insert a toothpick into the brownie part. A few moist crumbs are fine, but wet batter means it needs more time.
The cream cheese may have been too cold. Let it soften before mixing, then beat it with the sugar until smooth before adding the egg.
Yes. Once they've cooled, cover them and keep them in the refrigerator because of the cheesecake topping.
For more tips and answers to common questions, see my guide to boxed brownies.
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📖 Recipe
Cheesecake Brownies from Brownie Mix
Equipment
- Hand mixer
- 9x9-inch pan
Ingredients
Brownie layer
- 1 box brownie mix about 18 ounces
- eggs room temp & lightly beaten (see box for amount)
- water sub:milk, buttermilk, or coffee (see box for amount)
- oil (see box for amount)
- ½ teaspoon instant coffee or ¼ teaspoon espresso powder optional
Cheesecake layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- a pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg at room temperature
Instructions
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, salt, and vanilla on medium-low speed until smooth. Add egg and mix just until combined. Set aside.
- Prepare brownie batter according to package directions. Spread evenly in a 9×9-inch pan.
- Spoon dollops of cheesecake mixture over brownie batter. Use a knife or chopstick to gently swirl.
- Bake according to package directions, adding a few extra minutes if needed. Cheesecake layer should look set and not wet in the center. A toothpick in the brownie part should have a few moist crumbs.
- Let cool, then chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting.
Video
Notes
- Brownie mix: Use a regular box, about 18 ounces.
- Water: Substitute the same amount of milk, buttermilk, or cooled brewed coffee.
- Instant coffee: Optional. Skip if using brewed coffee.
- Cream cheese: Use softened block cream cheese to avoid lumps.
- Egg: Use 1 egg for the cheesecake, plus the eggs listed on the brownie mix box.
Rochelle says
I made these and they turned out great! Both my husband and I really liked the coffee addition. Thank you for the idea.
Mark Reyes says
Hi Rochelle! Wow, that's so great to hear! Thank you for making it and really glad you liked it. 🙂
Beatrice says
I've tried your recipe, almost to a T. Except for the pan used. I used an 8x8 in pan, lined it with parchment. Mine came out with a brown-ish top (of the cheesecake part). Like, I'm not sure what went wrong. It didn't taste burnt or anything, but how did you have yours come out with the cream cheese part not burnt looking? Thanks.
Nora Reyes says
Hello Beatrice,
Thanks for sharing your experience! Using an 8x8 pan instead of a 9x9 should be fine, generally speaking, though it can lead to slightly thicker layers that may require a bit longer in the oven, which might contribute to the brown-ish top you've mentioned.
The browning on top could be due to a few factors, including the oven's temperature accuracy or its position within the oven. Sometimes, ovens can run hotter than they indicate, causing the top to brown more quickly. If your oven has hot spots or the upper element is more aggressive, it might also lead to browning. To prevent this, you could try placing the pan on a lower rack or covering the top with foil once you've noticed it's reached the desired color, without changing the overall cooking time much.
It's great to hear it didn't taste burnt! That means you were very close to the intended result. You might consider checking the cake a bit earlier and covering the top with aluminum foil if you notice it's browning too much. I hope this helps. Thank you!
Maria says
Yum!!!
Nora Rey says
Totally yum! 🤤
Cher says
What do you set your oven at?
Nora Rey says
Hi Cher,
Typically, there can be variations in instructions for temperature and baking time among different brands. However, 350°F is usually the most commonly recommended temperature.