These Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting are decadent, rich, and oh so amazing. A chocolatey, fudgy brownie is baked to perfection, cooled, then slathered in a tangy cream cheese frosting that balances the flavors perfectly. This dessert is the ultimate way to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients Needed
- How To Make Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Recipe Variations
- Expert Brownie Baking Tips
- How To Serve, Store, Freeze, and Thaw
- Frequently Asked Questions
- A quick note about baking in grams...
- Did you make this recipe?
- You might also like these recipes...
- Fudgy Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Adapted from my 5 star crinkle top brownies, these brownies with cream cheese frosting *might* just be even more decadent.
A rich, super chocolatey brownie is baked to gooey perfection, slathered with a not-too-sweet cream cheese frosting, then sliced, and served to your family and friends. It's a simple, yet elegant dessert, that will have those you serve it to asking if you made a stop at the bakery!
Want an even simpler recipe? Try these small batch dairy free brownies, one bowl raspberry brownies, or even this no-bake edible brownie batter!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Rich, decadent brownies are covered in a tangy cream cheese frosting (need I go on?)
- You only need 2 bowls, a wooden spoon, and a baking pan
- The brownies bake in less than 30 minutes
- These are a fantastic summertime treat, and always a crowd pleaser
- Made with pantry staple ingredients, that you probably already have!
- Completely homemade, there's no shortcuts here- just delicious brownies as a result of hard work!
Key Ingredients Needed
*full ingredients list and measurements can be found in the recipe card below*
- Butter: For the fat content, like to use butter instead of oil because I like the rich, buttery flavor it adds.
- Chocolate: You will need both chopped dark chocolate and mini chocolate chips. The dark chocolate is melted to make the batter and the mini chocolate chips are folded in at the end to add moisture.
- Brown sugar: This sweetens the base of the batter and help to add a nice chewy texture
- Eggs: The eggs help bind all of the ingredients together and also helps the brownies to rise since there are no other leavening agents in them.
- Flour: Forms the structure of the brownies
- Cocoa powder: Along with the dark chocolate, this adds more chocolate flavor and a nice, rich brown color to the batter
- Espresso powder: Espresso powder works to enhance the chocolate flavor. It doesn't make them taste like coffee, just more chocolatey!
- Cream cheese: Can't make cream cheese frosting without cream cheese! You'll need full-fat for the best flavor and texture.
- Powdered sugar: When making frostings, you always want to use powdered sugar because it blends smoothly into the mix. Granulated would leave you with an unpleasant, grainy texture.
Ingredient Substitutions:
- Chocolate: You can substitute with semi-sweet chocolate chips if needed.
- Brown sugar: Use light or dark, or all granulated if that's what you have on hand.
- Flour: If needed, substitute with a 1:1 gluten free all purpose flour that contains xanthan gum.
How To Make Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8x8 baking sheet with parchment paper
STEP TWO: Melt the butter and chopped dark chocolate together in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring well between each until completely smooth and melted. (Up to 90 seconds total, or you run the risk of burning) Once melted, let the chocolate cool for about 5 minutes
STEP THREE: After 5 minutes, add the brown sugar and eggs to the melted chocolate and stir well until fully combined.
STEP FOUR: Next, add all of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and gently mix just until there are no traces of flour left. Do not overmix!
STEP FIVE: Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan, spread into an even layer, and bake for 25-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely
STEP SIX: Once the brownies are completely cooled, you can make the cream cheese frosting. To do that, mix softened butter and cream cheese until fully combined, then add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and mix well.
STEP SEVEN: Use an offset spatula to generously spread the frosting overtop of the brownies. Chill for 15 minutes, then use a sharp knife to cut the brownies into 16 equal squares and enjoy!!
Pro Tip! You don't want to overbake your brownies, so take them out of the oven when a toothpick inserted into the center still has moist crumbs on it. The residual heat will continue the baking process and leave you with perfectly gooey brownies.
Recipe Variations
Want to try a different frosting? You could top your brownies with one of these flavored frosting options!
- Strawberry cream cheese frosting
- Chocolate cream cheese frosting
- Espresso buttercream
- Oreo frosting
- Salted caramel frosting
Expert Brownie Baking Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients: When everything is the same temperature, they mix together easier. In turn, you end up with a glossy, silky batter.
- Measure properly: This is SO important! If you measure wrong, you can end up with brownies that are dry and dense or ones that won't set up at all. That's why I like to bake in grams because treats are delicious every time.
- Bake in a metal pan: Metal conducts heat better than glass and will give you a more even bake on your brownies.
- Line your pan with parchment paper: In order to ensure your brownies never stick, line your pan with parchment paper. I like to make a cross with 2 pieces so that every surface is covered.
- Cool completely before frosting: You need to cool the brownies completely before topping them with the cream cheese frosting. If not, the frosting will melt and slide off, and that's no fun!
How To Serve, Store, Freeze, and Thaw
SERVING: Use a sharp knife to carefully cut the brownies with cream cheese frosting into 16 equal squares, then serve at room temperature. The brownies can stay our for no more than 2 hours, before they have to be chilled.
STORING: Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
FREEZING: To freeze, bake and cool the brownies, then DO NOT frost them. You'll want to wrap the uncut brownies tightly in plastic wrap, a layer of aluminum foil, and then place into a freezer safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
THAWING: Pull the brownies out of the freezer and allow them to thaw at room temperature. Once thawed, whisk up the cream cheese frosting, slather it on top, serve, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you should always refrigerate any baked good that is topped with cream cheese frosting.
There really is no difference between cream cheese icing and cream cheese frosting, it may only be called a different named based on where you live.
Absolutely you can! To double it, you will need to bake the batter in a 9x13 inch metal baking pan and add 6-10 minutes to the baking time.
Yes! If you want a shortcut option, feel free to make boxed brownies and then top them with the cream cheese frosting.
There's 2 reasons your brownies may not be fudgy.
1. You mismeasured the ingredients. Too much flour or cocoa powder will cause them to be more cake-like.
2. Your brownies are overbaked. I like to take mine out of the oven while there are still moist crumbs on the toothpick, a clean toothpick means that they're overbaked.
A quick note about baking in grams...
You may notice that my newer recipes are now listed in grams, and that's because it really is the most accurate way to measure and ensure high quality baked goods every single time.
I do try to include cup measurements, but I highly suggest ordering a $10 scale from Amazon, it's really worth it!
Did you make this recipe?
If so, I would appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Also, follow me on Instagram and tag me or use #incoleskitchen so I can see what you make and share it.
You might also like these recipes...
PrintFudgy Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
These Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting are decadent, rich, and oh so amazing. A chocolatey, fudgy brownie is baked to perfection, cooled, then slathered in a tangy cream cheese frosting that balances the flavors perfectly. This dessert is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth!
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 Servings 1x
- Category: Brownies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For The Brownies:
- 113g salted butter (1 stick)
- 170g chopped dark chocolate (1 cup)
- 200g brown sugar (1 cup)
- 3 large eggs- room temperature
- 90g all purpose flour (scant ¾ cup)
- 25g unsweetened cocoa powder (¼ cup)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 85g mini chocolate chips (½ cup)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 113g full-fat cream cheese- room temperature (4 ounces)
- 28g salted butter- room temperature (1 ounce)
- 171g powdered sugar (1 ½ cup)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8x8 metal baking pan with parchment paper
-
Melt the butter and chopped dark chocolate together in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring well between each until completely smooth and melted. (Up to 90 seconds total, or you run the risk of burning) Once melted, let the chocolate mixture cool for 5 minutes
-
After the 5 minutes, add the brown sugar and all 3 eggs to the melted chocolate mixture and stir well until everything is fully combined.
-
Next, add the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and salt to the wet ingredients and gently fold everything together just until there are no traces of flour left. Be careful not to overmix!
-
Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan, spread into an even layer, and bake for 24-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely
-
Once the brownies are completely cooled, it's time to make the cream cheese frosting. To do that, mix softened butter and cream cheese until fully combined. Next add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth and creamy
-
Use an offset spatula to generously spread the frosting overtop of the brownies. Chill for 15 minutes, then use a sharp knife to cut the brownies into squares, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients: When everything is the same temperature, they mix together easier. In turn, you end up with a glossy, silky batter.
- Measure properly: This is SO important! If you measure wrong, you can end up with brownies that are dry and dense or ones that won't set up at all. That's why I like to bake in grams because treats are delicious every time.
- Bake in a metal pan: Metal conducts heat better than glass and will give you a more even bake on your brownies.
- Line your pan with parchment paper: In order to ensure your brownies never stick, line your pan with parchment paper. I like to make a cross with 2 pieces so that every surface is covered.
- Cool completely before frosting: You need to cool the brownies completely before topping them with the cream cheese frosting. If not, the frosting will melt and slide off, and that's no fun!
- Storing: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Keywords: brownies with cream cheese icing, brownies topped with cream cheese frosting, brownies recipe
Susie says
Omg, these didn’t last long in the house at all!! The brownies definitely are rich, but the cream cheese frosting isn’t too sweet and cuts some of the richness.
These are amazing!!
★★★★★
Nicole Radcliffe says
Hahaha, yes they certainly are rich! I'm glad you all enjoyed them though!