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You are here: Home / Recipes / Dessert / Brownies / Layered Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies

Layered Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies

May 24, 2018 Updated July 30, 2018 18 Comments

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My daughter was perusing through my countless recipes and came across this recipe for layered chocolate cream cheese brownies.  She started to drool over the layer of chocolate brownie, then a layer of cream cheese and chocolate chips, followed by a cream cheese chocolate icing.
Layered Cream Cheese Brownies
Not to mention layered chocolate cream cheese brownies are loaded with walnuts in every single layer!  Let’s not forget about the chocolate drizzle on top.

Layered Cream Cheese Brownies
Don’t skip over this recipe because you don’t like walnuts or can’t have nuts.  The nuts can be completely omitted from the recipe entirely.  Pecans or hazelnuts (yum hazelnuts) can be used in place of walnuts.  Create your own layered chocolate cream cheese brownies.
Brace yourself, my old photo’s are about to begin.  If you have no desire or need for step-by-step photo’s and instructions, just hit the “jump to recipe” at the top of the page.  This button will shoot you directly to the printable recipe.
Gather and measure all ingredients.

I am lining a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment and spray with non-stick spray.  You don’t have to do this but it makes removing and cutting the brownies so much easier.  This way I don’t end up leaving knife marks in the bottom of my new pan that I’d like to keep looking new.

In a small bowl add the unsweetened chocolate and butter.  Microwave for 45-60 seconds.  Alternatively, you can melt the butter and chocolate in a small saucepan on the stove top.  Whisk the ingredients.

Until smooth.  Set aside.

In a 2-quart mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.

Mix in the chocolate mixture. Using an electric mixer, blend.

Add eggs and vanilla, mix until smooth.  Stir in chopped walnuts

 

 

Carefully spread the mixture into the prepared pan.  You will notice that it’s a little tricky to spread over the parchment.  Just gently spread.  Spread evenly.  Set aside.

Gather and measure all of the ingredients for the cream cheese layer.

In a small mixing bowl, add butter, cream cheese, and sugar.  Blend until smooth.

Mix in eggs, flour, and vanilla.

Beat until creamy.  Fold in chopped walnuts.

Very gently spread the cream cheese mixture over top of the brownie mixture.  Sprinkle with chocolate chips and gently press into the top of the cream cheese mixture.  Place in a preheated 350 degree F oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cream cheese mixture is set and no longer jiggles.

After 30 minutes remove from the oven.  I let the brownies cool for about 10 minutes then I place them in the freezer.  Freezing them slightly makes it easier to ice them.

Gather and measure all the ingredients for the third and final layer.

n a medium size, bowl add the butter, cream cheese, and chocolate.  Melt for about 40 seconds in a microwave or melt in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir the mixture until smooth.

Add confectioners sugar and vanilla.

Add the cream one tablespoon at a time until desire consistency.

Remove brownies from the freezer and spread icing evenly over the cream cheese layer.

If desired, add an additional 1/4 cup chopped walnuts.  I double dare you.

Return to the freezer and freeze until the icing has set.  Now is the time to add the optional chocolate drizzle…why not?

Layered Cream Cheese Brownies

Slice into 2 x 2-inch squares.  I used to cut them into 1 x 1.5-inch servings but ended up eating 2 of them.  Now I just cut them larger.

Layered Cream Cheese Brownies

Layered Cream Cheese Brownies are great for picnics or a BBQ during these fun days of summer.  Please be sure to let me know if you make them.  I love receiving your comments. Don’t forget to rate my recipe.

xoxo Janet

Layered Cream Cheese Brownies
4.2 from 5 votes
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Layered Cream Cheese Brownies

Layers of rich chocolate brownie, cream cheese, chocolate icing, and a chocolate drizzle.  

Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword Layered Cream Cheese Brownies
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
chill 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 24 2 x 2-inch
Calories 359 kcal

Ingredients

Brownie Layer

  • 1/2 cup butter unsalted
  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 1 cups sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup walnuts chopped

Cream Cheese Layer

  • 6 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
  • 6 ounces chocolate chips

Icing:

  • 2 oz cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp cream

Optional chocolate drizzle

  • 1/4 semi-sweet chocolate melted

Instructions

Brownie Layer

Line a 9 x 13-inch pan with parchment paper and spray with a non-stick spray. Set aside.

  1. In a small saucepan or in a microwave, melt the butter and chocolate together. Whisk until smooth.  Set aside.

  2. In a 2 quart bowl, mix the sugar, flour, salt and baking powder. Mix in chocolate mixture. Add eggs and vanilla; blend until smooth. Stir in walnuts. Carefully spread on the bottom of prepared pan.

Cream Cheese layer: 

  1. In a small mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, butter, and sugar until smooth.  Add flour.  Mix in the vanilla and egg blend until smooth. Fold in walnuts. Carefully spread over chocolate layer. Sprinkle cream cheese layer with chocolate chips. Gently press the chocolate chips into the cream cheese layer. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until cream cheese mixture firm.  Cool completely in the freezer.

Icing:

  1. Melt the cream cheese, butter, and chocolate together.  Stir until smooth. Add the confectioner's sugar and mix until smooth.  Add vanilla and milk, if needed.  Spread over cooled brownies.  Freeze just until set to cut more easily.

Optional chocolate drizzle:

  1. Melt 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate and drizzle brownies.

Recipe Notes

  • Note the chocolate used in the brownie and icing layers is unsweetened.  Not semi-sweet
  • Walnuts are in every single layer, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.  If you don't like nuts, or can't have nuts, just omit them entirely or feel free to use a different type of nut.
  • The chocolate used in the melted drizzle is semi-sweet chocolate.  Don't get confused.  
  • Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Layered Cream Cheese Brownies
Amount Per Serving (24 g)
Calories 359 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 11g55%
Cholesterol 58mg19%
Sodium 178mg7%
Potassium 120mg3%
Carbohydrates 42g14%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 34g38%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 475IU10%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 47mg5%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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Related

Filed Under: Brownies, Dessert Tagged With: brownies, chocolate, cream cheese, cream cheese brownies, Dessert, rich chocolate, walnuts

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tann says

    May 27, 2018 at 4:18 am

    5 stars
    Whoa! Okay, these look amazing!

    Reply
  2. Unknown says

    June 3, 2013 at 3:02 am

    Hi Janet, The Brownies were a huge hit, star of the show!! Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing recipe.

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      June 3, 2013 at 3:08 am

      I'm so glad to hear the news. thanks for sharing your success. I'm so happy.

      Reply
  3. Unknown says

    May 28, 2013 at 7:14 am

    Thank you so much Janet. This is a great help. Will let you know the results sometimes next week.

    Reply
  4. Unknown says

    May 28, 2013 at 2:42 am

    Hi Janet,
    Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. I am planning to make them this weekend for a small gathering. Was just wondering if I can make them a day ahead and pop in the fridge and on the gathering day, take out of the fridge almost 2 hours before serving, will they taste same (I mean finger licking good)? It would be so nice of you if you can provide me with serving suggestion as well, like warm brownies with vanilla icecream? (These already contain cream cheese and that's why I am concerned).

    Many thanks,

    Arti

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      May 28, 2013 at 3:46 am

      HI Arti, You can make these brownies up to a week in advance and freeze them. They freeze just great, so placing them in the refrigerator would not be a problem. These brownies are great served cold or at room temperature. At room temperature the cream cheese softens and will be more like cheesecake. I like them either way. They are very rich, but you could serve them with ice cream just fine. If you wanted to serve them warm with ice cream, you could omit the chocolate frosting layer. That would be really good. Good luck with your party and I hope I have helped in some way.

      Reply
  5. Janet@simplysogood says

    May 20, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    So fun. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  6. Jennifer P says

    May 19, 2013 at 6:33 am

    thanks.. so much!! Just made these for my daughters fourth birthday party!!! I'm crossing my fingers we adults get some, before the kiddos and heat 🙂

    Reply
  7. Emily Brach says

    May 3, 2013 at 10:36 pm

    Holy cow. I'm with Elizabeth! Definitely going to try these!!!

    Reply
    • Janet@simplysogood says

      May 4, 2013 at 3:09 am

      I've been eating them frozen. They are a curse!

      Reply
  8. Janet@simplysogood says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    hahaha. That's how much I gained making them.

    Reply
  9. Elizabeth Downie says

    May 1, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    I gained five pounds reading this post.

    Reply
  10. Nic says

    May 1, 2013 at 1:04 am

    Licking the screen right now 😉 I'm just going to stash this recipe away until the next family gathering, it is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Thanks Janet!

    Reply
    • Janet@simplysogood says

      May 1, 2013 at 2:53 am

      This is a recipe to be shared with a crowd for sure. I hope you get the opportunity soon.

      Reply
  11. Danhiskka says

    May 1, 2013 at 12:55 am

    "Don't curse" I almost die there.

    I'm starting to believe that you post this kind of recipes so I can come and complain about how hard it is going to be to fit in my summer clothes. It's spring! What about salads and fish and oh-so-airy-and-not-fatty-sorbets?
    Pecans and walnuts season it is only four weeks away! And then winter is coming… (see what I did there?).

    Reply
    • Janet@simplysogood says

      May 1, 2013 at 2:53 am

      Oh know! You can shoot me. I had a light refreshing salad in my mind for a post this week. I promise to post it next. Our summer is coming soon and I'll be making light and refreshing, I promise.

      Reply
  12. Allyse says

    May 1, 2013 at 12:33 am

    Great, now I'm having a mega craving for them! JANET!!! Shame on you, I'm still trying to lose baby weight. And I WILL eat them all because I am out here in the boonies with no friends and no husband. 😉

    Reply
    • Janet@simplysogood says

      May 1, 2013 at 2:51 am

      Blame your mom. She gave me the recipe. You have the perfect conditions to sit in your apartment, bake brownies, and eat them all due to boredom and loneliness. I'm sorry. Too bad you and Charees aren't in the same city 🙁

      Reply

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Janet Barton

Hi I'm Janet and this is where I share my delicious made-from-scratch seasonal recipes that I make at home for my family every day.

I believe cooking from scratch, using unprocessed and whole foods is an important part of healthy eating. My goal is to help you create amazing recipes by providing easy step-by-step photos and instructions.

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