Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

Recipe for Cream Cheese Brownies

These cream cheese swirl brownies are an easy homemade brownie recipe that is moist and rich in flavor. The brownies are made with cocoa powder which still gives a lovely chocolate taste without the richness of cooking chocolate.

You can use canned unsweetened applesauce for this recipe but I prefer to make my own.

If you would like to add an orange flavor to the brownies you can do this by mixing in finely grated orange rind from one orange to the cream cheese filling.

 

For the Brownies with Cream Cheese Swirls

Makes 16 Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

For the Cream Cheese Filling

125g (4oz) cream cheese at room temperature
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg and room temperature

For the Base and Topping

1 cup plain flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup baking powder
1/2 cup white chocolate bits
1/3 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup applesauce – unsweetened
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 egg at room temperature

 

To Make the Brownies with Cream Cheese

Preheat the oven to 180C (350F)

Line and grease your 20cm x 20cm (8 inch x 8 inch) cake pan. I like to butter the cake pan then add a sheet of baking paper which extends past the ends of the pan this will make it easier to remove the brownies from the tin later.

Make the Filling

Place the cream cheese and sugar into a small mixing bowl; using an electric mixer beat until the sugar and cream cheese becomes smooth, add the egg and mix until combined. Set aside for later.

Make the Base and Topping

1. In a large bowl sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder add the sugar, chocolate chips and pecans mixing together.

2. In a smaller bowl whisk the oil, applesauce, milk, vanilla and egg together.

3. Add the liquids to the flour mixture and mix until combined.

4. Remove one cupful of the chocolate mixture (this will be used later for the topping).

5. Evenly spread the remainder of the mixture into your prepared cake pan.

6. Spread the cream cheese filling over the top of the chocolate mixture.

7. Using the mixture from the cup drop spoonfuls over the top of the filling.

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8. Using a knife run it through the batter at 2.5cm (1 inch) intervals to create a marbling effect in the batter.

9. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the tin which has been placed on top of a wire rack.

11. Cut into squares.

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