We’ve got a triple-threat here: Rich red velvet, gooey, fudgy brownies, and tangy cheesecake unite to form a dessert bar everyone will love. These red velvet cheesecake brownies are decadent without being too sweet, thanks to the cheesecake swirl, and a delicious twist on plain old brownies. They slice super clean, but remain gooey and soft. If you like your brownies fudgy bake them on the lower 30-minute end. For cakier brownies, bake longer, up to 35 minutes. Lining your pan with parchment keeps these from sticking to the pan, making them much easier to slice.

Active: 20 mins
Total: 1 hr 50 mins
Yield: Makes 24 brownies

Ingredients

BatterBaking spray with flour
¾ cup (6 oz.) unsalted butter
1 (4-oz.) 70% bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon red food coloring gel (such as Super Red)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ cups (about 6 3/8 oz.) all-purpose flour
â…“ cup (about 1 1/8 oz.) unsweetened cocoa
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Cream Cheese Swirl2 large egg whites
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare the Batter: Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with baking spray. Line bottom and sides of dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2- to 3-inch overhang on sides. Lightly coat parchment paper with baking spray.

Step 2
Microwave butter and chocolate in a large microwavable bowl on HIGH until melted and smooth, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stopping to stir every 30 seconds. Whisk in sugar. Add eggs 1 at a time, whisking until just blended after each addition. Whisk in food coloring and vanilla.

Step 3
Whisk together flour, cocoa, and salt in a separate bowl; whisk into butter mixture until just combined. Pour Batter into prepared baking dish.

Step 4
Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl: Beat egg whites, cream cheese, and sugar with an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add flour and vanilla; beat on low speed until combined, about 1 minute.

Step 5
Drop Cream Cheese Swirl into Batter in heaping tablespoonfuls; swirl gently using a knife to create a marbled effect.

Step 6
Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center of brownies comes out clean, 30to 35 minutes. Let cool completely in baking dish on a wire rack, about 1 hour.