Valentine Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies (Print Version)

Fudgy chocolate brownies combined with creamy strawberry cheesecake layers for a rich dessert.

# Ingredient List:

→ Brownie Layer

01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Strawberry Cheesecake Layer

08 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - 1/3 cup strawberry jam or puree
13 - 2-3 fresh strawberries, finely diced (optional)

→ Decoration

14 - Fresh strawberries, halved (optional)
15 - White or dark chocolate shavings (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar and cocoa powder until smooth. Stir in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Fold in flour and salt just until combined.
03 - Pour brownie batter into prepared pan, reserving approximately 1/4 cup for swirling.
04 - In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until creamy. Add sugar, egg, and vanilla extract; mix until smooth. Fold in strawberry jam or puree and diced strawberries if using.
05 - Pour cheesecake mixture over brownie batter in pan. Dollop reserved brownie batter on top and swirl gently with a knife or skewer to create marbled effect.
06 - Bake for 32-35 minutes, or until center is just set and toothpick inserted comes out with few moist crumbs.
07 - Cool completely in pan. For clean slices, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting.
08 - Top with fresh strawberry halves and chocolate shavings if desired.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • The chocolate and strawberry combination tastes like pure romance without requiring you to actually be romantic.
  • It's fudgy enough to feel indulgent but looks elegant enough to impress, which honestly shouldn't be possible in the same dessert.
02 -
  • Opening the oven door to peek before 30 minutes will drop the temperature and can cause the cheesecake layer to crack or sink—I learned this the hard way and now I just trust the process.
  • Letting ingredients come to room temperature (especially cream cheese and eggs) is non-negotiable if you want a smooth cheesecake layer without lumps.
03 -
  • Use a hot, wet knife to slice these—wipe it clean between cuts and the slices will look pristine instead of crumbly.
  • If your cream cheese is even slightly lumpy after mixing, push it through a fine sieve to save yourself from biting into grainy texture in the finished brownies.
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