The Unlikely Baker

Easy and Delicious Recipes for the Home Baker!

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

by 41 Comments [This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.]

These salted caramel cream cheese brownies are all your favourite things in one decadent, luxurious bite. These will, literally, earn you all the brownie points you will ever need!

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

I’ve found that there are two kinds of brownies: crumbly and cake-like vs. rich, chewy and fudgy. If you like the former, I’m sorry, you would hate this recipe because these salted caramel cream cheese brownies might be the richest, chewiest and fudgiest brownies you’d ever get to taste!

Clean-out-your-fridge recipes

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

Today’s recipe was actually supposed to be pumpkin pie. It was delicious. Except I messed up the crust and it turned hard as rock. Unfortunately I didn’t have any of the ingredients to do it again; just a lonely block of cream cheese.

So I figure, what can I do with that? Most cheesecakes need 2 or more so time to get creative…I think the best recipes are a result of people thinking of ways to clean out their pantry or fridge don’t you think?

Related: Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash

In my case, I had cream cheese, heavy cream that’s about to go bad, a jar of brown sugar just waiting to be refilled, and cocoa powder I have been meaning to use just so I can throw out the gigantic tub it was in. So these salted caramel cream cheese brownies were born!

Salted caramel cream cheese brownies

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

There are several steps to get to these bars of deliciousness but I promise every step is worth it.

Step 1: Make a batch of salted caramel sauce. It’s easy and takes no time at all. You can even make it ahead of time. Or you can buy your favourite store brand.

Step 2: Make your salted caramel cream cheese – beat until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Whisk your brownie batter. Do it by hand so you don’t over mix it.

Step 4: Layer your brownies – chocolate, cream cheese, swirl. Repeat. Don’t get carried away with the swirling though – we want pretty swirls. We don’t want the two batters to totally incorporate.

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

Step 5: Bake. Your kitchen should start smelling pretty awesome by now! (This step is when I do my kitchen clean-up too. Just saying).

Step 6: And this is the hardest part. Chill the brownies. You can simply wait for it to completely cool on your counter before cutting into squares but trust me, a few hours in the fridge (I did mine overnight) do wonders.

Step 7: Cut into squares and enjoy! Some of my taste testers liked it at room temperature. Others straight cold out of the fridge. I absolutely love it cold. Try and see what you like.

Related: Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust

Give them out for Christmas!

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

Spread the calories, I mean, the cheer this holiday season! These keep really well and would make for amazing gifts. Or serve to company after dinner, over coffee, at breakfast why not? It’s Christmas.

Related: How to Take Stunning Food Photos

Print
Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

These salted caramel cream cheese brownies are all your favourite things in one luxurious bite. These will, literally, earn you all the brownie points you will ever need!

Ingredients

    For the Salted Caramel Cream Cheese:
  • 1 8 oz (250 grams) block of cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 batch of salted caramel sauce, cooled
    For the Brownie Batter:
  • 3/4 cup (75 grams) Dutch processed, unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2/3 cup (150 grams) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) espresso or strong coffee, lukewarm
  • 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (110 grams) packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/3 cups (170 grams) all purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350F. Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper with a slight overhang on each side. Grease the parchment paper. Set side.
    For the Salted Caramel Cream Cheese:
  1. Using a handheld mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 1 block of cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar on medium speed until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes). Scrape the sides of your bowl.
  2. Add the egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla and continue to beat until incorporated. Add the salted caramel sauce and beat until smooth and lump-free. Set aside.
    For the Brownie Batter:
  1. In a large bowl, whisk 3/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda until combined. Add 2/3 cup melted butter and whisk until smooth. Add 1/2 cup espresso and continue whisking until your batter is creamy and thick.
  2. Add the rest of your ingredients (except the flour) and whisk until fully incorporated. Then add 1 1/3 cups flour and gently fold until just combined. Do not over mix.
    Assembly:
  1. Transfer 1/2 of your brownie batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Top with 1/2 of your cream cheese batter. Gently run a knife through the batter to create swirls. Then transfer the rest of your brownie batter and the rest of your cream cheese batter and run a knife through the top layer again.
  2. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until it's starting to brown at the edges but the centre still feels a little jiggly. You want a toothpick inserted in the middle to come out with minimal but slightly moist crumbs.
  3. Take out of the oven and allow to cool on the counter. Then chill 2-3 hours (or overnight) until the brownies are set.
  4. Remove from pan, cut into squares and serve cold or at room temperature.
https://theunlikelybaker.com/salted-caramel-cream-cheese-brownies/

Happy baking!

Did you make salted caramel cream cheese brownies? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Here are other edible gift ideas that are super easy to make and so delicious!

And let’s get social! See the sidebar (if on your desktop) or the bottom of this page (if on your mobile) to see how we can connect.

Or subscribe so you don’t miss a recipe. I promise I don’t spam (I hate spam too).

Do you want to improve your food photography, monetize your blog or start your very own food blog? Check out my Blogging Resources.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Wow. I totally would have said forget it after the crust turned out hard the first time. So good for you for being creative. They look freaking divine.

    Reply

  4. The swirls really make these brownies look extra special. I am sure they are quite yummy. I wonder if your recipe would work if you used a nonfat cream cheese or similar ingredient as a substitute for the full fat cream cheese. So many people love brownies but look for a lower calorie recipe.

    Reply

  5. This looks simply amazing. I really love the addition of the coarse salt to something really sweet. I think it brings out the flavor. These bars would look great on a dessert tray!

    Reply

  10. This was a great blog, I have a mate who absolutely loves baking brownies. I will forward him this blog, I may even give it a go myself although i’m not much of a baker! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply

  15. Be still my heart, these look fantastic. It would be so easy to add some toasted pecans to these, turning them into turtle brownies. I sense a moral imperative for the weekend. x

    Reply

  21. Wow, what an interesting combination of ingredients. I told my son about this recipe and it looks like we are making it this weekend. Oh well, I love the smell of food prep!

    Reply

  23. OMG! I haven’t even tasted this desert and I’ve already decided it’s my favorite ever. I’m getting in my kitchen and whipping these suckers up asap. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe.

    Reply

  25. A lot of my recipes are cleaning out the fridge recipes too! I love this recipe you came up with, easy to make and very to put together, I love how pretty they came out. Can’t wait to try these!

    Reply

  27. This looks like heaven if I must say!! I loved the way that you’re quick to think about an alternative when you had the cream cheese and just reinvented the brownies with the salted caramel cream which I think must taste amazing, have to try it out!!

    Reply

  28. Caramel and cream cheese both are my favourite and I’m sure that it wold have tasted as delicious as it looks in the pictures.

    Reply

  32. Fudgy and chewy works for me. Salted caramel is in a league of it’s own. I just know these would be totally addictive, and would not last long around here.

    Reply

  34. Wow. The DROOL LEVEL is off-the-charts. These look and sound SO GOOD. Brownies def have to be just as you described: rich, chewy, fudge-y. I wish I had one of these right now!

    Reply

  35. Although it might have started out as a pumpkin pie look how fabulous it still turned out to be! I love that it uses salted caramel and cream cheese for the brownies. They look like they were made for me and boy am I craving a sweet treat!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *