Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
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I’m thrilled to share with you my all-time favorite recipe for Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting. These brownies are absolutely to die for, combining the rich, fudgy goodness of classic brownies with a smooth and tangy layer of cream cheese frosting. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked!

I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count, and it never fails to impress.
Whether it’s for a family gathering, a potluck with friends, or just a cozy night in, these brownies are always a hit.
If you’re a fan of dessert and want to explore more, you might also enjoy my Chocolate Chip Cookies with Crisco or Caramel Brownies.
But for now, let’s dive into why these brownies should be next on your must-bake list.
Table of contents

Why I Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to love these Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting!
First, the texture is just perfect – dense, fudgy brownies topped with a creamy and tangy frosting.
Secondly, they’re relatively simple to make, making them a great choice for both novice and experienced bakers.
Lastly, the combination of flavors is simply irresistible, with the rich chocolate and the light cream cheese balancing each other beautifully.

Ingredients & Substitutions
Let’s talk about the ingredients that make these brownies so special.
Each one plays an important role in creating the perfect dessert:
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create a moist texture.
- Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: These sugars provide sweetness and help create a slightly chewy brownie.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: The main source of our chocolate flavor. Using a high-quality cocoa powder can make a big difference.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors. If you’re out, almond extract could be an interesting twist.
- Eggs and egg yolk: Provide structure and moisture. Extra yolk makes the brownies a bit more decadent.
- Corn syrup: Adds a bit of shine to the brownie texture and helps keep them moist.
- All-purpose flour: The base of our batter. Gluten-free blends can be substituted if needed.
- Cornstarch: Keeps the brownies soft and tender.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, providing tanginess and creaminess.
- Butter: Adds smoothness and richness to the frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Vanilla extract: Adds that extra flavor touch.

How to Make Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ready to make these delicious brownies? Here’s how you can do it:
Pro Tips
- For an even fudgier texture, do not overbake your brownies.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in your frosting.
- Use a high-quality cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
Serving Recommendations
These brownies are incredibly versatile.
Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:
- On their own as a satisfying treat.
- With a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
- Sprinkled with toasted nuts or chocolate shavings for added texture.

Recipe Variations
Want to mix things up?
Here are a few variations you can try:
- Add nuts: Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter before baking.
- Swirl in some jam: Raspberry or strawberry jam pairs beautifully with the chocolate and cream cheese.
- Add chocolate chips: Mix in some dark chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey flavor.
- Finish with chocolate drizzle: Drizzle chocolate syrup or melted chocolate over the top of the cream cheese frosting for a fantastic finish.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you plan to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in cling film and then in aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn.
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend you choose is a 1:1 substitute for best results.
While you can use low-fat cream cheese, the frosting may not be as rich or creamy. For the best texture and flavor, I recommend using full-fat cream cheese.
The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Be careful not to overbake them as they will continue to set as they cool.
Definitely! You can prepare the brownies a day ahead and frost them the day you plan to serve them. This will give the flavors time to meld together and make the brownies even more delicious.
There you have it, a detailed guide to making these heavenly Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or your friends, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your dessert rotation.
If you make these brownies, please leave a comment and let us know what you like about them.
I look forward to hearing from you!

Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 10 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- 1sp Tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×9-inch metal pan with parchment paper then grease well.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter, both kinds of sugar, and the cocoa powder until fully combined. Mix in the eggs, egg yolk, vanilla, and corn syrup.
- Stir in flour, cornstarch, and salt until just combined. The batter will be very thick and sticky.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes. Cool completely.
- Make the frosting when brownies are cool: In a small mixing bowl, blend together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Spread over brownies.
Nutrition Facts
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