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Butterscotch Cheesecake Brownies: A Decadent Dessert Fusion

Prepare to experience a dessert sensation! Our Butterscotch Cheesecake Brownies combine the rich, fudgy goodness of classic brownies with the creamy, irresistible flavor of butterscotch cheesecake. This two-in-one treat is perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings and impressing your friends and family.

Fudgy butterscotch cheesecake brownies cut into squares. — These brownies feature alternating layers of butterscotch cheesecake and fudgy brownie batter for a delicious treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
Step-by-Step Instructions
Helpful Tips for Perfect Brownies
Storage Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
More Delicious Brownie Recipes
Detailed Recipe Card

At our house, we’re brownie fanatics! From classic fudgy brownies to creative brownie variations, we’ve explored every corner of the brownie universe. We’ve even got some brownie bites, brownie cookies, brownie trifles, and brownie ice cream sandwiches. So to elevate the brownie game, we combined a rich chocolate brownie with a swirl of our favorite quick-fix cheesecake filling and some melted butterscotch chips. The result? A classic chocolate dessert transformed from expected to exceptional.

Crafting these butterscotch cheesecake brownies involves first preparing a standard brownie batter, rich in cocoa and chocolate flavor. Then, comes the star: a luscious 3-ingredient butterscotch cheesecake filling that blends together with minimal effort. Achieving the creamy butterscotch cheesecake swirl within the fudgy brownies is as simple as dolloping the cheesecake and brownie batters, then using a gentle S-motion to meld the two together with a toothpick or knife. It creates an irresistible marbled effect that is as pleasing to the eye as it is delightful to the palate.

If you are looking for more flavor combinations, you might also enjoy our Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies and Cheesecake Brownie Bites. Every bite is like a celebration of flavor and texture, making these brownies the perfect treat for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to special celebrations.

Why You’ll Love This Butterscotch Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Quick and Easy: Minimal prep time – you’ll only need about 15 minutes to prepare these cheesecake swirl brownies.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for preparing in advance, making them ideal for parties or busy schedules.
Fudgy Brownie Base: The rich, decadent brownie base provides the perfect foundation for the creamy swirl.
Creamy Butterscotch Cheesecake: The butterscotch cheesecake swirl adds a unique and delightful flavor twist.
Ultimate Dessert Experience: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an unforgettable treat!
A crowd-pleaser: Everyone who tries it, loves it!
Perfect texture: The fudgy brownie and creamy cheesecake compliment each other!
Customizable: Add nuts or chocolate chips to make it your own!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Butter: You’ll need one stick (1/2 cup) of unsalted butter for this recipe. Melt and cool the butter slightly before starting. This ensures a smooth and emulsified batter, contributing to the brownie’s fudgy texture.
Sugar: Since the butterscotch cheesecake filling is already quite sweet, this recipe calls for a moderate amount of granulated sugar in the brownie batter. This balances the overall sweetness of the dessert.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is essential for the brownie’s chocolatey flavor. Use a high-quality cocoa powder for the best flavor. It adds depth of flavor to your brownie base!
Vanilla Extract: A half-teaspoon of vanilla extract enhances the other flavors in the brownie batter. If you’re a big fan of vanilla, feel free to increase this to a full teaspoon.
Salt: Just a pinch of salt is enough to balance the sweetness and bring out the other flavors in the recipe. Salt is a crucial ingredient, often overlooked, that significantly impacts the overall taste profile.
Eggs: Eggs bind the brownie mixture together and ensure they’re moist and tender. You’ll also use an egg yolk in the cheesecake mixture for added richness and stability. Use high quality eggs to maximize flavor!
All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for this dessert. Measure the flour accurately using the spoon-and-level method. Overmixing the flour can result in a denser texture, so fold it in gently just until combined.
Butterscotch Chips: Melted butterscotch chips are the key to the butterscotch flavor in the cheesecake swirl. Be sure to use a good quality brand for the best taste. You can even find sugar-free ones, too!
Cream Cheese: For the richest flavor and creamiest texture, use full-fat cream cheese. To easily soften cream cheese, place the unwrapped brick on a microwave-safe plate and microwave in 10-second bursts until it easily indents when you press a finger into it.

See the recipe card at the end of this post for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Butterscotch Cheesecake Brownies

For the best flavor, brownies often taste even better the second day after they’re baked. Feel free to make these brownies in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper with cooking spray or butter for easy removal.
Make the brownie batter: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk the eggs in a separate small bowl, then add to the other ingredients and whisk to combine. Fold in the flour until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Pour most of the batter into the prepared pan, reserving about ¼ cup of it for swirling later.
Melt the butterscotch chips: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butterscotch chips in 20-second intervals, stirring in between each until the chips are completely melted and smooth. Let cool for a few minutes to prevent curdling the cream cheese.
Make the cheesecake filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the softened cream cheese and egg yolk until smooth and creamy. Then, gradually beat in the melted butterscotch chips until everything is well combined.
Create the swirl: Add dollops of the prepared butterscotch cheesecake mixture and the reserved brownie batter to the pan, distributing them evenly over the brownie base. Then, use a butter knife, toothpick, or skewer to gently swirl the two batters together, creating a beautiful marbled effect. Avoid over-swirling, as this can muddy the layers.
Bake the brownies: Bake the brownies in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake, as this will result in dry brownies. The center should still be slightly soft.
Cool and slice: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before removing them. Once cooled, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into even squares and serve.

Helpful Tips for Perfect Butterscotch Cheesecake Brownies

Lining the Pan: For easy removal, cut wide strips of parchment paper and place them in the pan in a criss-cross pattern, like a “T.” The parchment paper should overhang the edges of the pan, allowing you to easily lift the baked brownies out once they’re completely cooled.
Egg Separation: The cheesecake mixture calls for only the egg yolk. The easiest way to separate an egg is to use the eggshell halves. Gently pass the yolk back and forth between the halves, allowing the white to drip into a bowl. Another method is to crack the egg into your palm and let the white slip through your fingers.
Melting the Butter: The best way to melt the butter is in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30 seconds, or in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat. Make sure to monitor the butter closely to prevent burning.
Checking for Doneness: To avoid overbaking, begin checking the brownies for doneness a few minutes before the recommended baking time. Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
Cooling and Slicing: Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing into squares. This ensures clean, even cuts and helps the brownies maintain their texture. If you’re having trouble with clean cuts, try chilling the brownies in the refrigerator for an hour before slicing.
Use good quality butterscotch chips: Good quality butterscotch chips will make all the difference to the cheesecake swirl.
Don’t overmix: Overmixing brownie batter will make them cakey, so gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet.

Storage Instructions

To store these butterscotch cheesecake brownies, cut them into squares and place them in an airtight container. To prevent them from sticking together, layer the squares with parchment paper. Store at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If refrigerated, allow the brownies to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when the brownies are done baking?: To know when the brownies are finished baking, insert a toothpick into the center. If a few moist crumbs stick to the toothpick, they’re done. If wet batter is on the toothpick, they need more time. Remember that the brownies will continue to set as they cool.
Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer for the cheesecake filling?: Yes, you can use a hand mixer with its beater attachments to mix together the butterscotch cheesecake filling. Just make sure the cream cheese is properly softened to avoid lumps.
What does using more butter do to brownies?: Butter makes for rich brownies and adds moisture, creating a denser and fudgier texture. It also enhances the overall flavor and helps the brownies stay soft.

More Delicious Brownie Recipes

If you enjoyed this butterscotch cheesecake brownie recipe, you might also like these other top-notch brownie variations:

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies
Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies (Brookies)
Samoas Coconut Caramel Brownies
Pecan Pie Brownies
Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

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Butterscotch Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

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