Description

Delightfully rich and creamy heart-shaped brownies with a luscious raspberry swirl and a smooth cheesecake layer. These decadent treats combine the deep flavor of semi-sweet chocolate brownies with a tangy raspberry swirl and velvety cheesecake, making them perfect for special occasions or indulgent snacking.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Brownie Layer:

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
8 oz (225g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt

For the Cheesecake Layer:

8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Raspberry Swirl:

1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1–2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

Make the Raspberry Sauce: Put raspberries, sugar, and optional lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the raspberries break down and the sauce thickens lightly. Strain through a fine sieve to remove seeds and set aside to cool.
Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some extra on the sides to lift the brownies out easily after baking.
Make the Brownie Batter: Use a double boiler or place a heatproof bowl over simmering water to melt the butter and chopped chocolate together. Stir until smooth and remove from heat. Stir in sugar, then add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Add vanilla extract. Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt, then fold gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix well.
Layer the Brownie and Cheesecake: Pour the brownie batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Spoon dollops of the cheesecake mixture over the brownie layer. Then drop small spoonfuls of the raspberry sauce on top of the cheesecake dollops.
Create the Swirl: Use a toothpick or skewer to swirl the raspberry sauce through the cheesecake mixture gently, making pretty marbled patterns. Avoid over swirling so the layers stay distinct.
Bake the Brownies: Bake for 35-40 minutes. The cheesecake layer should be set, and the edges of the brownies should start pulling away from the pan. The center should still be slightly soft with moist crumbs when you insert a toothpick into the brownie part.
Cool and Cut: Let brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Then chill them in the fridge for at least 2 hours to set fully. When ready, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the brownies into fun heart shapes.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the brownies chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy each bite filled with rich chocolate, creamy cheesecake, and bright raspberry swirls!

Notes

Frozen raspberries work perfectly for the raspberry swirl, just thaw them before cooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days to preserve freshness due to the cheesecake layer.
You can prepare these brownies a day ahead and refrigerate after cooling for best presentation and flavor.
If you don’t have a heart-shaped cookie cutter, simply cut the brownies into squares or rectangles.
For variations, try adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or swirl in other fruit purees such as blueberry or strawberry.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: heart shaped brownies, raspberry swirl brownies, cheesecake brownies, chocolate brownies, dessert recipe, homemade brownies, raspberry cheesecake swirl