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These Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Marble Brownies are just like the classic but with a little more comfort baked into them. They are rich, fudgy, super chocolatey with a creamy swirl. Each bite of these brownie squares is the kind of cozy you want in a dessert after a yummy dinner.
A dark chocolate homemade brownie batter is used as the base for these brownies. We went with a rich dark chocolate flavor because it plays so well with the tangy creamy swirl. The batter is made from melted dark chocolate chips and cocoa powder to intensify the chocolate flavor. A sweet cream cheese mixture is swirled throughout the batter and bakes up into a cheesecake-like consistency. Every bite is chewy, fudgy, and creamy. It’s a combination that is hard to beat!
These homemade dark chocolate cream cheese brownies are the kind of dessert that fits any occasion – an afternoon baking sesh, a cozy night in, after a pasta dinner with friends, or simply when you’re craving something chocolate. Let’s dive into the details!
Why You’ll Love These Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Marble Brownies
- They feel special without the fuss! These brownies not only look gorgeous, but they also taste so decadent. And the best part is that they are super simple to make and an easy way to make an impression.
- Super fudgy! We did not skimp on the chocolate flavor in these brownies. The rich cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips melted straight into the batter, making these brownies super fudgy and chewy.
- Perfect for sharing! If you’re looking for a dessert that makes a large batch and would be good to share with friends, brownies are always a good option. Great for serving as a gameday appetizer or after-dinner treat at a dinner party.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Dark chocolate Brownie Batter
- Unsalted butter
- Dark chocolate chips
- Sugar
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Cocoa powder
- Salt
Cream cheese Swirl
- Cream cheese
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies, Step by Step
Step 1. Preheat the oven and prep your baking pan.
Before you do anything else, preheat the oven and prep your brownie pan. We recommend using a 9 x 13-inch baking pan instead of an 8 x 8-inch brownie pan because this recipe will make a large batch.
Grease the bottom and sides of the pan with cooking spray or butter. Make sure you get into all the edges and corners.
Line the pan with parchment paper to create a sling for removing the brownies after they are cooked. This will make it super easy to remove the treats from the pan.
Step 2. Make fudgey brownie batter.
The base of these dark chocolate cream cheese brownies is our popular fudgy brownie recipe. They are tried-and-true and will make it hard to go back to making boxed brownie mixes.
Homemade brownies take almost as much time as it would take to make a boxed brownie mix.
You start by mixing together the flour mixture that includes all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Give that mixture a good stir to evenly mix and set it to the side.
Next, melt butter and dark chocolate in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Be sure to stir the mixture frequently so that the chocolate doesn’t burn and everything melts evenly. Remove the saucepan from the heat just as soon as the mixture is smooth.
Pour the melted chocolate mixture into a medium mixing bowl and whisk in sugar. The sugar is going to lower the temperature of the chocolate mixture so that your eggs don’t scramble in the batter.
Lastly, stir one teaspoon of vanilla extract before using a rubber spatula to gently fold in the dry ingredients. Stir the batter until you don’t see any flour streaks in the batter.
Step 3. Make the cream cheese swirl.
Soften cream cheese at room temperature or heat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to soften. Use a whisk to mix in egg, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 4. Bake brownies and let them cool for about 20 minutes.
Pour the brownie batter into the prepped baking dish and use a spatula to spread the batter in an even layer at the bottom of the pan.
Add dollops of the cream cheese on top of the chocolate brownie batter and use a butter knife to swirl the cream cheese into the batter.
Bake the brownies for 45-50 minutes until baked through. Remove them from the oven and place the dish on a wire rack to cool for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for Making Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies
- Use good-quality dark chocolate for a richer flavor. The dark chocolate chips give the brownie batter its rich chocolate flavor. Use good-quality dark chocolate like Guittard or Valrhona. The best grocery store brands are Ghirardelli or Bakers.
- Don’t overmix the brownie batter. Once you add the flour into the wet ingredients, gently fold it into the batter until just combined. Overmixing the batter can give the brownies a tougher texture.
- Soften the cream cheese. We recommend softening the cream cheese at room temperature because it will blend with the egg, sugar, and vanilla to give you a smooth and creamy swirl without clumping.
- Let the brownies cool before slicing. Give the brownies at least 15-20 minutes to cool and set so you can get clean slices. It will also give the brownies the best fudgy texture as they cool.
Recipe FAQ
How to Store Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies
Store the brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Warm individual brownies in the microwave or bring to room temperature before serving.
More yummy desserts to try:
Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Marble Brownies
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 18–20 brownies 1x
Description
These dark chocolate cream cheese brownies are rich, fudgy, and decadent with a creamy tangy-sweet cream cheese swirl. This cozy brownie recipe is the ultimate chocolate dessert for nights when you want something super comforting.
Ingredients
Dark Chocolate Brownie Batter
- 2 sticks of butter
- 12 oz dark chocolate chips
- 3 cups sugar
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 cup black cocoa powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan by buttering the pan and lining it with parchment paper. Set cream cheese out to soften for 60-90 minutes at room temperature.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter and chocolate chips. Remove the saucepan from the heat until the sauce is just melted.
- Remove from heat and whisk in sugar and eggs, one at a time. Pour into a medium bowl and mix in cocoa powder and salt. Next, add in flour and fold it into the batter with a spatula until the flour is fully mixed in.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, egg, sugar, and vanilla.
- Pour the batter into the pan and spread it into an even layer.
- Place in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until baked through. Use a toothpick or fork to test the doneness of the brownies. If your toothpick comes out with some soft crumbs, the brownies are done. If the batter is runny, place back in the oven for 3-5 more minutes in increments.
- Remove from the oven and let the brownies cool for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
