Valentine Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies (Printable version)

Fudgy chocolate brownies layered with creamy strawberry cheesecake and fresh strawberries for a decadent treat.

# What you need:

→ Brownie Layer

01 - 4 oz 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 to follow:

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. Add eggs one at a time, stirring between additions, then blend in vanilla extract. Fold in flour and salt until just combined.
03 - Pour brownie batter into prepared pan, reserving approximately 1/4 cup for swirling effect.
04 - In a mixing bowl, beat softened 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. Dollop reserved brownie batter on top and swirl gently with a knife or skewer to create marbled pattern.
06 - Bake for 32-35 minutes until center is just set and toothpick inserted comes out with few moist crumbs.
07 - Cool completely in pan. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting for clean slices.
08 - Top with fresh strawberry halves and chocolate shavings if desired. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Two desserts in one bite—you get that fudgy brownie moment and creamy cheesecake whisper without choosing sides.
  • They look dramatically marbled and Instagram-worthy, but honestly take less effort than separate desserts.
  • The strawberry keeps things bright and prevents the chocolate from feeling heavy, especially if you're sharing with someone special.
02 -
  • Don't skip the chilling step—I learned this the hard way when my first batch slumped into a gorgeous mess the moment I pulled it from the pan.
  • Strawberry jam varies wildly in thickness, so if yours is chunky, give it a quick blend or push through a sieve before folding it in, otherwise your swirls won't be smooth.
  • The toothpick test matters more than time—every oven bakes differently, and overbaking turns these chewy and dense instead of rich and tender.
03 -
  • If your cream cheese is even slightly lumpy, sift it through a fine mesh before mixing—this prevents grainy texture in your cheesecake layer.
  • Warm jam slightly before folding it in; cold jam streaks instead of blending, which actually looks prettier if that's what you're going for.
  • Cut brownies with a serrated knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between cuts for edges that don't drag or crumble.
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