Cherry Cheesecake Brownies (Swirled & Fudgy)

These Cherry Cheesecake Brownies layer a fudgy cocoa brownie base with a silky vanilla‑kissed cheesecake and pockets of bright cherry pie filling. The method is straightforward: bloom cocoa in warm butter for deeper chocolate flavor, whisk in sugar and eggs for a glossy batter, then marble everything together for dramatic swirls. A gentle bake leaves the edges set and the center with a slight jiggle that firms as it cools, giving you clean slices and lush texture.

Each step below keeps the process simple while calling out important cues—how the batter should look, when to stop mixing, and how to swirl without muddying the layers. You’ll use a 9×9‑inch pan lined with parchment or lightly greased for easy release. For a quicker bake and more cheesecake peeking through, you can use 1/2 can of the cherry pie filling; using the full can yields bigger cherry pockets and a more pronounced fruit layer (both options are delicious).

Ingredients

For the Brownies

• 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

For the Cheesecake Filling

• 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling (use 1/2 can for a shorter bake)

Optional Garnish

• Whipped cream
• Maraschino cherries

Ingredient & Prep Notes

Cocoa + butter: Stirring cocoa into warm melted butter blooms the cocoa, deepening flavor and giving the batter a head start on that fudgy texture. The mixture will thicken slightly as it rests.

Cream cheese: Room‑temperature cream cheese blends smooth quickly; cold cream cheese can leave small lumps. If needed, let it sit out briefly until soft to the touch.

Cherry pie filling: Spoon it in small pockets rather than one heavy layer; this keeps the cheesecake distinct and helps the brownies bake evenly. Using 1/2 can shortens the bake and creates more visible cheesecake swirls, while the full can gives bigger cherry bites.

Instructions