Description
Indulge in these luscious Caramel Cheesecake Nutella Brownies, featuring a rich chocolate brownie base layered with creamy caramel cheesecake swirled with Nutella. Topped off with dollops of melted Nutella for a decadent finish, this dessert is perfect for chocolate and cheesecake lovers alike.
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
Cheesecake Layer
- 1 package (8 oz / 250 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ cup Nutella (for folding into cheesecake mixture)
Nutella Topping
- ½ cup Nutella (½ cup for dollops to freeze, ½ cup for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Make Brownie Batter: In a large bowl, mix granulated sugar, melted butter, and cocoa powder until smooth, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly until the mixture is well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the all-purpose flour and pinch of salt until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep brownies tender.
- Prepare Cheesecake Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese with sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolk until creamy and smooth without lumps.
- Swirl Nutella into Cheesecake: Carefully fold ½ cup Nutella into the cheesecake batter to create a marbled effect without fully blending.
- Assemble in Pan: Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly to form the base layer.
- Add Cheesecake Dollops and Freeze Nutella: Spoon dollops of the cheesecake mixture over the brownie layer. Separately, freeze small dollops of Nutella on parchment paper to use later — this step is optional but adds a delightful texture.
- Layer Remaining Brownie Batter: Pour the remaining brownie batter over the cheesecake dollops, spreading gently to cover them.
- Create Swirls: Using a knife or skewer, swirl the layers carefully to feature a beautiful marbled pattern.
- Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top sets and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs, indicating fudgy brownies.
- Add Nutella Topping: Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately place the frozen Nutella dollops on top. Let them melt slightly, then swirl them gently into the surface to create a glossy finish.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 squares for serving. This ensures clean cuts and the best texture.
Notes
- Freezing small dollops of Nutella for topping adds a unique texture contrast but can be skipped if short on time.
- Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate flavor compared to natural cocoa powder.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the cheesecake mixture.
- Do not overbake brownies; moist crumbs on the toothpick ensure fudgy texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.