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Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies (step-by-step photos)

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

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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!

(Do you like your brownies old-school? Try these super fudgy, chocolatey brownies with walnuts and chocolate chips. They are the best!)

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? Like this sweet potato breakfast hash and this huevos racheros recipe. Both made of leftovers!

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. First let’s make the salted caramel cream cheese.

How to make salted caramel cream cheese filling

SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE. First up, make a batch of this homemade salted caramel sauce. It’s easy and takes no time at all. You can even make it ahead of time. Of course, you can also use your favourite store brand.

SALTED CARAMEL CREAM CHEESE. Next we make our salted caramel cream cheese filling.

  • Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe
    Combine cream cheese and sugar in a bowl.
  • Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe
    Beat until creamy and smooth.
  • Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe
    Add egg and vanilla.
  • Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe
    Continue to beat until incorporated.
  • Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe
    Add salted caramel sauce.
  • Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe
    Beat until smooth and lump-free.

How to make brownie batter

Set your cream cheese filling aside as you work on your brownie batter.

BROWNIE BATTER. The important thing to remember is to not over-beat or over-whisk your batter. I always whisk my brownie batter by hand.

  • How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
    Combine cocoa powder and baking soda in a large bowl.
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
    Whisk until combined.
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
    Add melted butter.
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies

    Whisk until smooth.
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
    Add espresso or strong coffee.
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
    Whisk until
    batter is creamy and thick.
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
    Add sugar, vanilla, salt and eggs.
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies

    Whisk until fully incorporated.
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
    Add all-purpose flour.
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
    Gently fold just until combined. Do not over-mix.

How to assemble cream cheese swirl brownies

Now it’s time to assemble our cream cheese brownies!

CREAM CHEESE AND BROWNIE LAYERS. You want to 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 Swirl Brownies
    Transfer 1/2 of your brownie batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
  • Salted Caramel Swirl Brownies

    Top with 2/3 of
    your cream cheese batter.
  • Salted Caramel Swirl Brownies

    Gently run a knife through the batter to create swirls. This also helps you spread the cream cheese filling out.
  • Salted Caramel Swirl Brownies
    Transfer the rest of the brownie batter.
  • Salted Caramel Swirl Brownies

    And the rest of your salted caramel cream cheese filling and run a knife
    through the top layer again.

Baking caramel cream cheese brownies

BAKE. Now you’re ready to bake! You’ll need about 40 minutes in a 350F oven before the brownies are ready and your kitchen starts smelling pretty amazing. (This step is when I do my kitchen clean-up too. Just saying).

WAIT. You’ll know the brownies are done when they’re 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 crumbs. When in doubt, remember that it’s always better to underbake than overbake brownies.

CHILL. This for me is the hardest part. You’ll want to chill the brownies for a couple of hours. 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 usually do mine overnight) do wonders.

ENJOY! Some of my taste testers like it at room temperature. Others straight cold out of the fridge. I absolutely love it cold. However and whenever you want to dive in, enjoy!

Give them out for Christmas!

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

Spread the calories, I mean, the cheer this holiday season!

These brownies keep really well and would make for amazing gifts (like these bourbon pecan pie bars).

Or serve to company after dinner, over coffee, at breakfast why not? It’s Christmas.

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies

Author: Jolina
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!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine North American
Servings 24 squares
Calories 161 kcal

Equipment

Stand Mixer
Hand Mixer
Mixing Bowls
Bench Scraper

Ingredients
 
 

For the Salted Caramel Cream Cheese:

  • 1 8-oz block cream cheese room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 pc large egg room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 batch salted caramel sauce (about 1/2 cup) cooled

For the Brownie Batter:

  • 3/4 cup Dutch processed, unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2/3 cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/2 cup espresso or strong coffee lukewarm
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 pcs large eggs room temperature
  • 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350F. Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper with a slight overhang on each side. Grease the parchment paper. Set side.

For the Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 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.
    Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe
  • Add the egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla and continue to beat until incorporated.
    Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe
  • Add the salted caramel sauce and beat until smooth and lump-free. Set aside.
    Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe

For the Brownie Batter:

  • In a large bowl, whisk 3/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda until combined.
    How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
  • Add 2/3 cup melted butter and whisk until smooth.
    How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
  • Add 1/2 cup espresso and continue whisking until your batter is creamy and thick. At this point, it would seem like the espresso doesn't want to incorporate into the batter. Keep whisking! It will come together.
    How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
  • Add the rest of your ingredients (except the flour) and whisk until fully incorporated.
    How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies
  • Then add 1 1/3 cups flour and gently fold until just combined. Do not over mix.
    How to Make Cream Cheese Brownies

Assembly:

  • Transfer 1/2 of your brownie batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
    Salted Caramel Swirl Brownies
  • Top with 2/3 of your salted caramel cream cheese batter. Gently run a knife through the batter to create swirls and help even out the cream cheese throughout the pan.
    Salted Caramel Swirl Brownies
  • Then transfer the rest of your brownie batter and the rest of your cream cheese batter.
    Salted Caramel Swirl Brownies
  • Run a knife through the top layer again. Gently tap the pan on your counter a few times to help the batter settle in.
    Salted Caramel Swirl Brownies
  • Bake for 30-45 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 (see notes).
  • Take out of the oven and allow to cool on the counter. Then chill 2-3 hours (or overnight) until the brownies are set (see notes).
  • Remove from pan, cut into squares using a sharp knife or a bench scraper and serve cold or at room temperature.

Video

Notes

  1. The yield depends on how small or big you cut your brownies. They are very rich; a little goes a long way.
  2. Remember: it’s better to under-bake than over-bake brownies. They will continue to bake as they cool in the pan.
  3. You can totally serve these brownies fresh from the oven (allow them to cool slightly). At this point, they will be soft and fudgy. They are best chilled before serving though, to allow the cream cheese filling to set. They will be fudgy and chewy and amazing.
  4. See the post for the complete step-by-step photos.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 127mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 158IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information are estimates only.

Keyword Bake Sale, Christmas, Easy, Holiday Baking
Tried this recipe?Tag @iamtheunlikelybaker I’d love to see your creations!

Happy baking!

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

And let’s get social! Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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Filed Under: Cookies & Bars, Recipes

Previous Post: « Chocolate Brownie Tart with Brown Butter Crust
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Barbara J Stephan says

    December 2, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    Can bottled caramel ice cream sauce with sea salt added work? Just want to make this a little less time consuming.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      December 3, 2020 at 9:38 am

      Hi Barbara, yes you can use store-bought caramel sauce.

      Reply
  2. Lissa says

    October 25, 2020 at 12:39 pm

    5 stars
    This is so delicious!!! We love eating it straight from the refrigerator. Thanks for the recipe. Definitely making it again.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      October 26, 2020 at 12:51 pm

      That’s awesome Lissa! It’s great chilled eh? 🙂 Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Lorraine says

    April 28, 2020 at 8:14 am

    5 stars
    Thank you Jolina!! These are the most sinful brownies I’ve ever tasted 🙂 Warmest regards to you.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      April 29, 2020 at 12:14 pm

      LOL I hope in a good way 🙂 You’re most welcome Lorraine!

      Reply
  4. Cindy says

    April 24, 2020 at 4:13 pm

    5 stars
    Great brownies! Thanks so much. Yum yum.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      April 29, 2020 at 12:13 pm

      Glad you liked them Cindy!

      Reply
  5. Becca Talbot says

    November 30, 2017 at 7:49 am

    I totally know what you mean about the two variants of brownies! I definitely prefer the squidy, sticky gooey ones, so this recipe sounds like heaven to me! x

    Reply
  6. Nadia says

    November 28, 2017 at 7:49 pm

    These look absolutely divine. Hoping to try them this December. Yum!

    Reply
  7. Tamala says

    November 27, 2017 at 2:52 am

    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
  8. Deborah Regen says

    November 26, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    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
    • Jolina says

      November 27, 2017 at 8:03 am

      Thanks Deborah! I haven’t tried myself but I think low-fat cream cheese would be fine.

      Reply
  9. Marisa Franca says

    November 26, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    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. Agness says

    November 25, 2017 at 5:34 am

    These brownies are making my mouth watering, Jolina. What I love most about them is that they contain coffee. 😉

    Reply
  11. Veena Azmanov says

    November 23, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    I love brownies and I love caramel.. So this is my kinda desserts. I usually have mine with ice cream but this one looks perfect on it’s own.. yum.

    Reply
  12. Chinedu says

    November 23, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    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
  13. Denise Wright says

    November 23, 2017 at 7:59 am

    Ok I’m embarrassed to ask this but can I use boxed brownie mix? I’m not much of a bake and I am always looking for short cuts. I’d like to make these for Saturday.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      November 26, 2017 at 3:07 pm

      Hi Denise! I haven’t tried but I think that can work. I especially love the brownie mix Ghirardelli has 🙂

      Reply
  14. Charlotte says

    November 22, 2017 at 5:24 am

    wow these look amazing, salted caramel is a favourite of mine but I’ve never had it in brownies so I am quite excited about this recipe!

    Reply
  15. Ali Rost says

    November 21, 2017 at 10:15 pm

    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
  16. Janella Panchamsingh says

    November 21, 2017 at 7:10 pm

    Yum those brownies look so delicious I could really use one with my tea tonight

    Reply
  17. Brandy says

    November 21, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    These salted caramel cream cheese brownies look delicious. I will have to try to make them soon for the family. I want to eat them all up 🙂

    Reply
  18. Liz Mays says

    November 21, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    What a happy accident! I’m kind of craving brownies right now and these would be super good.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      November 26, 2017 at 3:09 pm

      Nice! I’d take that as a sign 🙂

      Reply
  19. Mike says

    November 21, 2017 at 3:17 pm

    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
  20. Marlene Wetch says

    November 21, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    Well, it is 10 am my time and now all I can think about is these brownies! I love anything with salted carmal but adding cream cheese is the cherry in my eyes!

    Reply
  21. J. Shan'Trice says

    November 21, 2017 at 11:30 am

    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
  22. Monica says

    November 21, 2017 at 9:22 am

    Salted caramel has to be one of the greatest things on the planet! These brownies are calling my name…..you are a genius!!!!!

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      November 26, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      I agree! I’m a recent fan of salted caramel and it’s become one of my favourite things ever 🙂

      Reply
  23. April Hammond says

    November 21, 2017 at 8:22 am

    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
    • Jolina says

      November 26, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      Those recipes are the best, right? Thanks April! Enjoy!

      Reply
  24. Val says

    November 21, 2017 at 7:46 am

    I love soft, moist, fudgy brownies. I’ve used cream cheese in brownies and loved it but never with salted caramel, they sound tasty.

    Reply
  25. Amalia says

    November 21, 2017 at 7:08 am

    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
  26. Karly says

    November 20, 2017 at 11:52 pm

    These. Are. Everything. Caramel and cream cheese and brownie (and a lil baby hint of salt) in one bite? Perfection.

    Reply
  27. Heather Johnson says

    November 20, 2017 at 10:04 pm

    Your salted caramel cream cheese brownies sound absolutely amazing! What a perfect dessert to make for the holiday season!

    Reply
  28. Gloria says

    November 20, 2017 at 9:49 pm

    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
    • Jolina says

      November 26, 2017 at 3:13 pm

      It did not last long around here either 🙂

      Reply
  29. Robin says

    November 20, 2017 at 8:50 pm

    I like that this recipe uses regular ingredients from your fridge or pantry. Love to do this and share at work.

    Reply
  30. Jana Carrero says

    November 20, 2017 at 7:30 pm

    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
  31. Ana De- Jesus says

    November 20, 2017 at 5:47 pm

    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

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

Nutrition values provided on this site are estimates only. See Terms of Use for more information.