Dense, fudgy, and deliciously rich with chocolate, brownies are a clear favourite at my home. Although they often tussle with the satisfying, scrumptious, and velvety cheesecake to win the dessert spot after dinner. So, I did what any other person would do – combined the two indulgent treats to make one irresistible cheesecake swirl brownie. 

Made in a little skillet, they are deliciously chewy, with the cream cheese brightening the flavour with a hint of tang. Super quick and fuss-free to make the mini dessert is too cute for words. 

But the reason I love it is the portion control. The cheesecake swirl brownie is a rich, rich delicacy best enjoyed in small helpings.

How to make a cheesecake swirl brownie?

I have a teeny cast iron skillet at home. It’s barely 6 inches. But for this recipe, it is good enough to make a dessert that four of us can thoroughly enjoy without overindulging.  

If you don’t have a skillet, bake the cheesecake brownie in individual ramekins or 5-inch round or square cake tin. 

Start with the cheesecake topping.

• Whisk cream cheese and icing sugar till you have a smooth mixture.
• You may need to add a couple of tablespoons of milk to get the mixture going. 
• Slide the cream cheese mixture in the refrigerator to chill while you prep the brownie base. 

Make the brownie base.

• Begin with combining flax powder and water in a 1:3 ratio to make the flax egg.
• Let it rest for 5 to 10 mins till its thick and goopy and ready to be used.
• Meanwhile, melt coconut oil and chocolate chips in a double boiler.

The double boiler gives you better control over the temperature and makes sure that your chocolate is not burnt. For how to make a double boiler (and why), hop over to my peanut butter brownie recipe.

• When the chocolate chips are just about melted, take them off the stove. 
• Into this glossy, smooth mixture, stir in sugar. 
• Whisk well till the sugar dissolves from the residual heat. 
• Then mix in the flax egg, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, and cocoa powder.
• I added a fistful of chocolate chips right at the end for that decadent chocolatey indulgence. Feel free to skip them. 

Quick tip:

The rule of thumb when making a brownie is never to overmix the batter. Moist, fudgy, and chewy brownies need just a quick stir. 

Baking the cheesecake skillet brownie

• Spoon the brownie batter in your greased skillet (ramekin or cake).
• Plonk the cheesecake filling on top of the batter. 
• Now with a wooden skewer, create swirls to get that visually striking marbled effect. 
• Bake the cheesecake brownie for 20 to 22 minutes till the top is settled. 

Quick tip

Just like overmixing, over-baking is a big no with a brownie. You’ll end up with a dry texture. So, keep an eye on it. 

Serving the cheesecake swirl brownie

The hardest part of making a brownie – any brownie – is the wait. You have to let them cool completely because it develops the flavor profile and lends a fudgier mouthfeel. 

Because I’ve added a cream cheese filling to the brownie, chilling them becomes even more important. So, after the oven does its magic, let the cheesecake swirl brownie cool on the rack and then refrigerate for two to three hours.

Cut it into pieces and serve with scoops of ice cream. Or take a cue from our book and don’t bother with slicing or the ice cream. Dig right into the skillet with your spoons!

You’ll love the tangy and velvety cream cheese refreshingly complementing the thick, fudgy, and generously infused with chocolate brownie sponge.

Variations of the cheesecake swirl brownie

You can easily double or triple the recipe to make more portions. My brownies are eggless, but you can replace the flax egg with one egg. 

Those who love a bit of crunch to their sweet treats, fold in walnuts or pecans in the brownie batter. Or you can toss the nuts on top before baking. 

Making it vegan:

Switch to dairy-free chocolate and plant-based cream cheese to make vegan cheesecake brownies. 

Making it gluten-free:

Use buckwheat flour as a substitute for all-purpose flour to make gluten-free cheesecake swirl brownie. I’ve used buckwheat before for my fudgy skillet brownie to great success. 

Some more brownie recipes:

• Fudgy Miso Brownies
• Vegan Brownie Mug Cake
• Gluten free Brownie Waffles
• Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies
• Fudgy Avocado Brownies | Vegan Brownies Recipe

If you make the cheesecake swirl brownie, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love getting to connect with you guys. You can also follow me on Instagram & Pinterest for more fabulous recipes.

Find more easy cheesecake recipes here.