These ultimately fudgy brownies combine the best of THREE worlds! Brownies, cheesecake, AND peanut butter. You won’t be able to have just one of these addicting brownies!
I should really just rename this blog Sarah’s Brownie Obsession.
If you’re a regular around here, you would know that I am completely crazy for brownies.
Over the past few months I have racked up so many brownie recipes, it’s kind of insane.
Can’t stop. Won’t stop.
THESE brownies are insane.
Super-dense and fudgy. Unbelievably chocolatey. And guys, PEANUT BUTTER CHEESECAKE.
INSIDE these insane brownies.
Yes, yes, YES!
These are seriously one of fudgiest brownies I’ve ever had in my life. I think it’s the peanut butter cheesecake swirl that contributes the extra moistness and fudginess.
I call them sin in a pan. For a very good reason, too.
These are, hands-down, the most sinful brownies I have ever sunk my teeth into.
I am completely in love with cheesecake brownies. They combine the absolute best of both worlds. Multiply that by 5000 when you throw creamy peanut butter in the mix.
Diet-friendly? No. Worth it? Heck’ yes.
Ok, quick little sidenote here: So while I was making these brownies, Rachel was watching me and wanted to help so I asked her to get out the cocoa powder for me. Well, she was gone for like 5 minutes so I went to look for her and found her cradling the cocoa powder in her arms and TALKING to it.
Yes, I was a little disturbed by this. Here’s what she said:
Rachel: “Oh, chocolate I love you so much. You’re my favorite thing in the world. I like to EAT you in my tummy.”
Me: Umm. Rachel, what are you doing?
Rachel: I’m talking to the chocolate. ‘Cause I love it so much.
Me: Well, I kind of need it if I’m gonna make brownies.
Rachel: (sighing) Oh, all right. But first I’m going to give it a kiss.
She then proceeded to give the container of cocoa powder a kiss AND a hug.
Okay. Am I the only one who is a little freaked out by this?? My almost 4-year old sister is completely obsessed with chocolate.
I’m a little scared.
Also a little amused. I literally could not stop laughing.
As you can probably imagine, my chocholic-family went completely nuts-o over these brownies and demolished them before the day was over. I managed to bring a few over to my neighbor and she was like “Oh, I ‘ll just have half of one right now.”
About 30 seconds later: “Scratch that. I’m eatin’ the whole thing. Oh my gosh, Sarah….”
A word of warning: DON’T make these brownies unless there’s a bunch of people around to help you eat them. You may be inclined to eat the entire pan-full in one sitting.
I do not speak from experience. 😉
You should eat one of these brownies for breakfast and then have salads for the rest of the day.
Balance, people. 😉
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- CHEESECAKE LAYER:
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup xylitol or sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and salt. Set aside. In another large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Gently fold flour mixture into liquid, stirring until just combined. (batter will be very thick)
- Spread half of the batter in prepared pan and set other half aside while you prepare the cheesecake filling.
- Place softened cream cheese in a medium bowl. With an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until creamy. Beat in xylitol (or sugar) peanut butter, egg, milk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Spoon spoonfuls of cheesecake filling in random order over brownie batter. Top with remaining brownie batter. Using a knife, gently cut through batter to create a swirl pattern (do not overmix, otherwise you'll lose the swirl effect)
- Bake brownies at 350F 24-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs sticking to it. Cool brownies completely on a wire cooling rack before cutting into squares.
Notes
Welcome to my brownie shrine. 😀
Marshmallow-Topped Brownies With Salted Pecan Caramel Sauce
Graham-Bottom Brownies with Whipped Chocolate Ganache
(one of the most popular recipes on my blog!)
Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl Brownies
(not quite as dense and fudgy as today’s brownie, but still one of my favs!)
Double-Chocolate Skillet Brownies
(like a brownie pie but better!)
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Your sister sounds adorable! I would probably burst out laughing, too! And these brownies look AMAZING! Cheesecake and peanut butter? Best combo ever, Sarah! Totally trying these out. Pinned!
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning, Gayle! I hope you’ll let me know if you make these brownies!
Joanne says
So these are going to be new favorite recipe. I can feel it. PB and chocolate FOR LIFE!
Sarah says
For life for sure. 😀 Thanks Joanne!
Rachael | Spache the Spatula says
Okay, I love cheesecake brownies, I love peanut butter brownies, but peanut butter cheesecake brownies!?! GIMMEE!
LOVE that your little sister is so in love with chocolate already 😛 That’s hilarious!
Sarah says
I love how both of our recipes today were centered around cheesecake, Rachael. Total foodie twins we are! 😀
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
These brownies looks so gooey and peanut buttery! My mouth started to salivate while I was looking at the pictures, beautiful!
Sarah says
SO gooey and fudgy, you’ll be in brownie heaven! You might need a napkin or two, but it’s worth it. 😀 Thanks Danae!
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
Oh my these look amazing, those gigantic peanut butter swirls are calling my name! Your little sister is cute, sounds just like something my kids would have done (or at least I don’t think the 12 year old still talks to chocolate…)
Sarah says
Haha I have a 12-year old little sister, and I’m preeeetty sure she still doesn’t talk to the chocolate. At least I hope. LOL!
Danielle says
Sounds like her love for chocolate has already started at a young age. I can’t blame her! These look delicious it’s like the best of all three worlds. Yum!
Sarah says
It definitely started at a young age. She’s loved chocolate ever since she was old enough to have sweets! Haha. And yes, TOTALLY the best of 3 worlds. Thanks Danielle! 😀
Karen @ Lushious Eats says
Mmmm, how about I eat a salad for breakfast and these brownies all day, lol they look Ah-Mazing! What’s better than peanut butter, chocolate and cheesecake?!?! Nothing. 🙂
Sarah says
Hahaha! That sounds like an even better plan! Love it. 😀 Thanks so much, Karen!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Haha, your little story about Rachel made me laugh out loud! She sounds like a girl after my own heart, because I just love chocolate too. Enough to give it a kiss and a hug!
Sarah. These brownies. Sound. DELICIOUS! It’s like my 3 favorite things all rolled into one amazing dessert. Want these right now!
Sarah says
I had to laugh too because it was just too hilarious. 😉 And you should just make these brownies RIGHT now then! 😉 Thanks Nat!
Kelly says
Hahaha love that chocolate loving story – too too cute 🙂 These brownies look like all kinds of amazing! Peanut butter, cheesecake and chocolate? Yup, totally sinful but so so worth it 🙂
Sarah says
Definitely worth the extra calories. And that’s what treadmills are for. LOL. Thank you Kelly!
Isadora @ she likes food says
That would be amazing if you just baked batches and batches of brownies all day long! I would totally still keep reading 🙂 These brownies sound 100 times better than regular brownies! I love brownies, peanut butter, and cheesecake, so will you please send me over a few dozen?! Thanks!
Sarah says
Oh, you have nooo idea how awesome that would be. My kitchen would a total disaster and I would probably weigh about 1000 pounds, but it would be so worth it! LOL. Thanks Isadora!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
I was so taken by how amazing these brownies look that I almost forgot to read the post. Haha. Your sister is too cute. I can only imagine walking in and seeing her cradling the cooca. 😀 At least she knows a good thing when she tastes it, right?
Sarah says
She definitely knows that chocolate is “the good stuff.” Haha! Thanks girl!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I’m obsessed with brownies. I’ve made a couple different kinds lately and I’m holding back from making another so soon…hehe. These look crazy delicious. I can never turn down peanut butter and chocolate. 🙂
Sarah says
Once you start making brownies, it’s kinda hard to stop I’ve noticed! Haha. Thanks Tina! 🙂
Arpita@ TheGastronomicBong says
Gosh.. This looks Ahhhmazingggg… I simply adore peanut butter and chocolate combination.. oh n i love cheesecake.. You managed to bring all the three things together.. Simply Superb… 🙂
Sarah says
It’s a combination made in brownie heaven, for sure! Haha. Thank you Arpita!
Wendy says
I definitely agree that these bars combine the best of THREE worlds! Chewy brownies bursting with flavor are the BEST kind of brownies! These look wonderful!
Sarah says
Thanks, Wendy! 😉