Chewy Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting is the ultimate decadent dessert. The homemade brownies are rich and fudgy, and the tangy cream cheese frosting is not too sweet to perfectly complement the deep, dark chocolate.
For more delicious sweet treats, try Funfetti Cake Pops and Mini Cannoli Tarts next.
Brownies with cream cheese frosting is my favorite brownie recipe by far. And don't worry if it all sounds a little too sweet; I swear it's not. These gooey brownies have a chewy, fudgy texture and are made with dark cocoa powder, brown sugar, and olive oil for deep, rich flavor.
And the not-too-sweet cream cheese frosting has just enough powdered sugar to let the flavor of the cream cheese stay front and center -- the perfect finishing touch for these fudgy chocolate brownies. It would also be awesome on these red velvet brownies!!
These decadent brownies are ideal for everything from a special occasion to a Tuesday afternoon brownie craving.
🍫Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Brown sugar. I use dark brown sugar, which has rich, molasses flavor, but light brown sugar is also just fine.
- Olive oil. Olive oil adds to the deep, rich flavors in these chocolatey brownies. You can also use a neutral oil like vegetable oil or melted butter.
- Dark cocoa powder. Dark cocoa powder adds deep dark flavor and color to these fudgy brownies. You can also use regular unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Instant espresso powder. Just a teaspoon of instant espresso powder enhances the flavor of the chocolate. You can skip if if you like. Or add more!
- Dark chocolate chips. I use 60% cacao dark chocolate chips to keep the brownies from being too sweet. Use any kind of chocolate chips you like.
- Powdered sugar. If your powdered sugar is extra clumpy, sift it before stirring it into the frosting.
- Cream cheese. Use full-fat cream cheese in a block, not the kind in a tub.
- Butter. You can use unsalted butter or salted butter in the cream cheese frosting.
🥣How to Make Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Make the Brownies
Step 1: Whisk the brown sugar, olive oil, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs until completely combined.
Step 2: Sift the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and salt into the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. The brownie batter will be very thick. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 3: Spread the batter into an 8x8 baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 325 for 20-24 minutes or until the edges are set and middle still looks slightly underbaked. The internal temperature should read 180-190.
Step 4: Cool the pan of brownies on a wire baking rack until completely cool.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whip the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy and lump-free.
Step 2: Add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture. Mix on low until just combined, then on high until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Evenly spread the frosting over the cooled brownies.
Step 4: If desired, add sprinkles or a dusting of cocoa powder over the cream cheese frosting. Cut into squares and enjoy!
👉Top Tip: If you don't have a large mesh strainer, whisk the brownie dry ingredients together in a separate large bowl before adding them to the wet ingredients.
✅Tips
- Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for smooth, lump-free cream cheese frosting.
- If the frosting is too soft or warm, chill it in the refrigerator for a few minutes until firm.
- For sweeter or thicker frosting, use up to one more cup of powdered sugar.
🎁Storage
- Store leftover brownies with cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator in an airtight container or tightly covered in plastic wrap.
- Freeze frosted or unfrosted brownies in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator.
📅Make Ahead
- Make the brownies ahead of time and store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- Make the frosting a day or two ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature until soft enough to spread over cooled brownies.
- Freeze frosting ahead of time in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator. If necessary, re-whip the frosting before spreading onto brownies.
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📖 Recipe
Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Fudgy Brownies
- 1 cup brown sugar I use dark brown sugar
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil or canola oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup flour
- ¾ cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder, optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces softened cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Make the Brownies
- Preheat the oven to 325. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper with enough overhang so you can easily lift the brownies out of the pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, olive oil, and vanilla. Beat in the eggs until well combined.
- Sift the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and salt into the wet ingredients. You can also whisk them together in a separate bowl before adding them. Stir until just combined -- do not overmix. The batter will be very thick. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Spread the brownie batter into the prepared pan, using a knife to push the batter into the corners and even out the top.
- Bake for 20-24 minutes or to an internal temperature of 180-190, the edges will look set, and the middle will look underbaked. A toothpick inserted 1 - 2 inches from the sides should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Place the brownies on a wire rack to cool completely before removing them from the pan.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla on high speed with an electric mixer until fluffy and smooth with no lumps.
- Add the powdered sugar. Mix on low until just combined, then on high until creamy.
- Evenly spread the cream cheese frosting onto the brownies. If desired, sprinkle the top with a little cocoa powder. Serve and enjoy! Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Be careful not to overbake the brownies. They will continue to cook as they cool.
- For sweeter or firmer frosting, add more powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time, up to 1 cup more.
- If the frosting is too warm or too soft, place it in the refrigerator to slightly firm up.
- Store brownies with cream cheese frosting in the refrigerator.
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