A decadent brownie layer swirled together with a creamy peanut butter cheesecake filling. These Peanut Butter Cheesecake Swirled Brownies combine rich chocolate, smooth peanut butter, and tangy cream cheese for an irresistible treat.
I have a serious soft spot for brownies, and peanut butter ranks right up there. Add cheesecake to the mix and you’ve got flavor magic. These Peanut Butter Cheesecake Swirled Brownies bring all three together—fudgy chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and a smooth cheesecake swirl.
The base is a dense, chocolate-packed brownie batter studded with chocolate chips. That’s topped with a velvety peanut butter cream cheese layer and then gently swirled with reserved brownie batter. The result is a rich, multi-textured bar with delightful pockets of peanut butter cheesecake in every bite.
Let’s talk chocolate chips
Milk chocolate chips are used in this recipe, but semisweet chips work well too. You can even mix the two for balance. If you want an extra peanut butter punch, stir in some peanut butter chips—they add another layer of flavor and texture.
How to swirl the brownies
After layering the batters, use a knife to make small swirling motions through the top layers until you reach the level of marbling you like. Avoid dragging the knife all the way to the pan bottom to maintain distinct layers and pretty swirls.
When baking is done, patience pays off: let the brownies cool completely, then chill them for a couple hours before cutting. This helps the cheesecake layer set and makes neater slices. For an indulgent finish, serve warm squares with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
If you make these, tag @jodi_lud_5boysbaker on Instagram—I love seeing your creations.
Some of my other favorite brownies:
- Marshmallow Brownies: Ooey, gooey and insanely good!
- Cookies & Cream Oreo Stuffed Brownies: Outrageous and decadent!
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies: The best of both worlds!
- Chocolate Frosted Brownies: A family favorite for years!
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Swirled Brownies
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- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 to 20 brownies
Ingredients
- 2 cups white sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 heaping cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Brownie Layer:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, beat 2 cups sugar and 3 eggs until foamy. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla.
- Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; stir into the egg mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips. Reserve 1 cup of batter, then spread the remaining batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Layer:
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, 1/3 cup sugar, egg, vanilla, and milk until smooth and creamy.
- Carefully spread the peanut butter cream cheese mixture over the chocolate layer. Drop spoonfuls of the reserved chocolate batter over the peanut butter layer. Use a knife to cut through and gently swirl the layers to create a marbled effect.
- Bake 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least a couple of hours before slicing. Store refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
Recipe Source: Adapted slightly from Allrecipes.