Irresistible Cherry Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with the Irresistible Cherry Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Bars Recipe, a show-stopping dessert that perfectly balances rich chocolate, creamy cheesecake, and sweet-tart cherries. Each bite delivers a heavenly texture contrast that feels almost too good to be true, making it the perfect treat for gatherings or a special indulgence at home. Whether you’re a brownie lover or a cheesecake fan, this layered delight has everything to dazzle your taste buds and become your new favorite dessert bar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients come together in this recipe to create an extraordinary flavor and texture combination. Each component plays a crucial role, from the fudgy brownie base to the velvety cheesecake layer and the burst of fruity cherry that tops it all off.
- Unsalted butter: Provides a rich, creamy base for the brownie batter that ensures a moist texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds essential sweetness and helps create that classic brownie chewiness.
- Brown sugar: Gives a hint of caramel flavor and keeps the brownies soft and tender.
- Eggs: Bind the layers together and contribute to the perfect structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances and rounds out the flavors for a warm, inviting aroma.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the brownie, providing just the right amount of density.
- Cocoa powder: Delivers that deep, chocolatey richness everyone craves.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate notes.
- Baking powder: Adds a touch of lift so brownies aren’t too dense.
- Cream cheese: Makes the cheesecake layer creamy and smooth, creating that luscious contrast.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake mix without making it grainy.
- Cherry pie filling: Gives tart juiciness with a glossy, jewel-like appearance.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Sprinkle on top for bursts of melty chocolate in every bite.
- Optional fresh cherries for garnish: Adds a fresh, colorful touch that elevates the presentation.
How to Make Irresistible Cherry Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This step ensures your bars will come out cleanly and bake evenly, setting the stage for perfection.
Step 2: Whisk Butter and Sugars
In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter completely. Once melted, whisk in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This sugar-butter blend is the foundation for a delectably rich brownie base, so take your time here to get it just right.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
Allow the butter-sugar mixture to cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the eggs in the next step. Whisk the eggs into the mixture one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. This creates a velvety batter that will hold the layers together beautifully.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. This dry mix will bring all the chocolate elements to life and guarantee the right texture in your bars.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet butter and sugar mixture gently until just combined. Overmixing can make brownies tough, so be gentle and stop once there are no more streaks of flour.
Step 6: Build the Layers
Spread about two-thirds of your brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan; this will be the chewy base of your bars. Next, beat together the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, then dollop the cheesecake mixture on top of the brownie layer and spread it evenly.
Step 7: Add Cherry and Final Brownie Swirls
Carefully spoon the cherry pie filling over the cheesecake layer and smooth it gently to cover without mixing. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining brownie batter over the cherries, then use a knife to swirl the top layers lightly for a beautiful marbled effect. Finish by sprinkling semisweet chocolate chips generously across the surface.
Step 8: Bake
Bake the bars for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is set but still moist. Avoid overbaking to keep the perfect fudgy texture every time. Once done, allow to cool completely in the pan to let the layers set and flavors meld.
How to Serve Irresistible Cherry Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Garnishes
A few fresh cherries placed on top right before serving can brighten the rich flavor and add a pop of color. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle with warm chocolate sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Side Dishes
These bars are decadent enough to enjoy on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the richness. Fresh mint leaves or a cup of black coffee also make fantastic companions to this layered dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the bars into small bite-sized squares and arranging them on a platter for parties or gifts. You can even layer them in small mason jars for an adorable handmade dessert gift. Presentation is half the fun and something this recipe truly deserves!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Irresistible Cherry Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Bars Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days and actually taste better chilled since the layers firm up beautifully.
Freezing
You can freeze these bars for up to 3 months by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before serving to maintain that best texture and flavor.
Reheating
If you prefer the bars slightly warm, simply microwave them for 15 to 20 seconds or warm in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes. Be careful not to overheat or the cheesecake layer can lose its creamy appeal.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of cherry pie filling?
Absolutely! Fresh cherries can be cooked down with a little sugar to create a homemade cherry compote that works wonderfully in this recipe, giving it a fresher taste and more natural texture.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend, but be sure it contains xanthan gum for structure. The texture will remain deliciously fudgy and creamy.
Can I substitute cream cheese with something else?
You can use mascarpone cheese for a milder flavor or a dairy-free cream cheese alternative to keep it vegan-friendly, though the texture might vary slightly.
What type of chocolate chips is best for this recipe?
Semisweet chocolate chips strike the perfect balance between sweet and rich flavor, but if you want something more intense, dark chocolate chips are a fantastic choice to deepen the chocolate punch.
How do I get clean slices when cutting these bars?
Chilling the bars in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before slicing helps the layers firm up and makes cutting neat and easy. Use a sharp knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry between cuts for best results.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dessert that makes every gathering feel extra special, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try the Irresistible Cherry Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Bars Recipe. Its layers of fudgy chocolate, silky cheesecake, and luscious cherries are pure magic on a plate. Once you make it, I’m sure it will become a beloved classic in your recipe collection just like it is mine!
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Irresistible Cherry Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Irresistible Cherry Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Bars combine rich, fudgy brownie layers with a smooth, creamy cheesecake middle and a burst of cherry sweetness. Topped with melty chocolate chips and a beautiful cherry swirl, this layered dessert is perfect for any occasion and sure to satisfy your chocolate and fruit cravings.
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
Cheesecake Layer
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
Topping
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Optional: fresh cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal of bars.
- Make Brownie Batter: In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined and smooth. Let the mixture cool slightly, then whisk in eggs and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder, then gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to form the brownie batter.
- Layer Brownie Base: Spread about two-thirds of the brownie batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the brownie base layer.
- Prepare Cheesecake Layer: Beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Dollop the cheesecake mixture over the brownie base and spread gently and evenly.
- Add Cherry Layer: Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cheesecake layer and gently spread it out without mixing.
- Top with Remaining Brownie Batter: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining brownie batter over the cherry layer. Use a knife to swirl the batter lightly, creating a marbled effect.
- Sprinkle Chocolate Chips: Evenly sprinkle the semisweet chocolate chips over the top of the batter swirl.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. For cleaner slices, refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours before cutting into 16 bars.
Notes
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours to ensure clean, neat slices.
- For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet.
- You can substitute canned cherry pie filling with homemade cherry compote for a fresher taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
