Red Velvet Brownies Cheesecake Swirl (Printable Version)

Rich red velvet brownies marbled with creamy cheesecake for a luscious, elegant dessert experience.

# What You Need:

→ Red Velvet Brownie Base

01 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 tablespoon red food coloring
06 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
07 - 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

→ Cheesecake Swirl

11 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
13 - 1 large egg yolk
14 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal later.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined and smooth.
03 - Beat in eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and uniform in color.
04 - Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt directly into the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined—be careful not to overmix.
05 - Reserve 1/4 cup of the brownie batter for the marble swirl. Spread the remaining batter evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan.
06 - In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
07 - Drop spoonfuls of the cheesecake mixture over the brownie batter. Add small dollops of the reserved brownie batter on top. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the two batters together, creating a marbled pattern.
08 - Bake for 32–36 minutes. The brownies are done when the center is just set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs—avoid overbaking for fudgy texture.
09 - Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 2 hours. Use the parchment overhang to lift the brownies out, then cut into 16 equal squares.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of fudgy red velvet and tangy cheesecake creates layers of flavor in every single bite
  • These brownies look impressive but come together with simple ingredients you probably already have
  • The marbled swirl pattern makes them gorgeous enough for parties but easy enough for a weeknight treat
02 -
  • Overbaking is the enemy of fudgy brownies so start checking at 30 minutes even if the recipe says longer
  • The swirl needs to be gentle once you start mixing the two batters together you lose the beautiful marble pattern
  • Room temperature ingredients mix together more easily creating a smoother cheesecake swirl
03 -
  • Use light colored pans to prevent the edges from overbaking before the center is done
  • Underbake slightly rather than overbake as these continue cooking while cooling in the pan

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