Cheesecake Topped Fudgy Brownies

Indulgently rich, extra Fudgy Brownies made even better with a layer of creamy, slightly tart cheesecake & a smattering of chocolate chips. Gooey, chocolatey perfection! 

I haven’t published a chocolatey recipe since my Vegan Creme Eggs at Easter. 😱 For a chocoholic like me that has taken some serious will power. I think I deserve a medal. I’m coming back at you with a good one though. Cheesecake Topped Fudgy Brownies.

Like wow!!! They are seriously fuuddggyyy and chocolatey and cheesecakey and amazing. I haven’t made them for a few weeks now and have been seriously tortured while editing the photos. I just want to eat them all over again!! 😛

These Cheesecake Topped Fudgy Brownies are every bit as decadent as they appear. You’re talking a thick layer of super chocolatey, super fudgy brownie, topped with a rich, creamy, slightly tart cheesecake layer, all finished off with a smattering of chocolate chips, because this my friends, is chocolate overload. 🙌

You will thank me as you wipe the chocolate from your chin because brownies + cheesecake = the perfect marriage. Me + brownies is also the perfect marriage, except if I was married to a tray of Cheesecake Topped Fudgy Chocolate Brownies the marriage would not last long. Not long at all….

They work so perfectly together because the brownie part is incredibly rich and the cheesecake topping, although creamy, is slightly tart. It kind of balances out the sweetness and cuts through the richness. Um..it’s just fudgy chocolate perfection.

They couldn’t be easier to make either. Use your food processor to make the fudgy brownies batter then stir through the chocolate chips before pouring into a pan. When I say pour, I really mean dollop and spread, because that batter is pretty thick. That’s what makes them ridiculously fudgy!

Then the cheesecake part is just blended up and poured on once the brownie base has had a head start in the oven. They take no time at all to whip up and they also wont take any time at all to disappear. 😉

Love chocolate?  ✔︎

Love brownies? ✔︎

Love cheesecake? ✔︎

Lets do this!

And don’t forget to let me know what you think in the comments below. I’d love to see your pics on Instagram too! Use the hashtag #avirtualvegan so I don’t miss them.

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Cheesecake Topped Fudgy Brownies

Indulgently rich, extra Fudgy Brownies made even better with a layer of creamy, slightly tart cheesecake & a smattering of chocolate chips. Gooey, chocolatey perfection! 

Course Baked Goods, Dessert

Recipe Type oil-free, vegan, whole-grain

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 16 brownie squares

Calories 193 kcal

Author Melanie McDonald

Ingredients

For the brownies

• 115g | 1 cup cocoa powder
• 60g | ½ cup coconut sugar , or any brown sugar
• 135g | ½ heaping cup almond butter , or cashew butter (see recipe notes for advice on a nut free version).
• 6 tablespoons aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas) , or 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons of ground flax mixed with 6 tablespoons of hot water then left to sit for at least 15 mins)
• 80mls | ⅓ cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon espresso powder , or instant coffee (OPTIONAL but brings out the chocolate flavour more)
• 80mls | ⅓ cup plant-based milk
• 87g | ⅔ cup wholewheat flour , can be subbed for all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda , bicarbonate of soda in the UK
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 140g | ¾ cup chocolate chips

For the cheesecake layer

• 75g | ½ cup chopped cashew nuts , soaked in hot water for at least 15 minutes if you do not have a very high powered blender
• 200mls | 7oz | ½ can full fat coconut milk , it MUST be full fat
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder , or cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 pinch salt

For sprinkling

• 1 handful chocolate chips

Instructions

For the brownies

1. Preheat oven to 320°F and line an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pan with parchment paper. 

2. Add all of the brownie ingredients EXCEPT the flour, baking powder, baking soda and chocolate chips, to a food processor and blend until smooth. 

3. Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda and blend again until the flour and powders are incorporated well and you can't see them anymore. Do not over mix. 

4. Add the chocolate chips and pulse a couple of times so they are evenly distributed. 

5. Spoon the batter into the pan and level out the top as best you can.

6. Bake for 25 minutes.

7. Make the cheesecake layer by blending all of the ingredients until perfectly smooth.

8. After the brownies have been baking for 25 minutes, remove them from the oven and pour over the cheesecake topping. 

9. Sprinkle with chocolate chips then return to the oven and bake for about another 10 - 15 minutes. The cheesecake top should be just set but not completely solid. It should feel soft if you poke it and leave a little finger dent. 

10. Remove from the oven and let cool. The cheesecake top will firm up a little more as it cools. 

Recipe Notes

The brownies can be made without the cheesecake layer. Just bake them for a solid 35 - 40 minutes. 

Will keep in a sealed container for up to 1 week. 

For a nut free version, omit the cheesecake layer and use SunButter instead of almond butter in the brownies. 

Nutrition Facts

Cheesecake Topped Fudgy Brownies

Amount Per Serving (1 brownie)

Calories 193 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 10g 15%

Sodium 84mg 4%

Total Carbohydrates 24g 8%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 13g

Protein 5g 10%

Vitamin C 1%

Calcium 5%

Iron 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.