Heart Shaped Brownies with Raspberry Swirl & Cheesecake
Heart Shaped Brownies with Raspberry Swirl & Cheesecake perfectly combine fudgy chocolate brownies, tangy fresh raspberries, and creamy cheesecake swirls into a visually stunning and delicious dessert. Ideal for celebrations, gifting, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, these heart-shaped treats offer a multi-layered flavor experience with a rich yet balanced taste and beautiful presentation.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 12 heart-shaped brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian (can be made vegan with substitutions)
Brownie Batter
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (35g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cheesecake Swirl
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Raspberry Swirl
- 1 cup (120g) fresh or frozen raspberries, pureed and strained if desired
- Prepare the Cheesecake Swirl Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy to create the luscious cheesecake mixture that will swirl through the brownies.
- Make the Brownie Batter: Melt butter and mix with 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until combined. Sift in cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix to maintain a fudgy texture.
- Prepare the Raspberry Swirl: Puree fresh or thawed raspberries in a blender or food processor. Optionally strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds for a smoother swirl with bright color and tartness.
- Layer the Batter: Pour half of the brownie batter into a greased heart-shaped pan or preferred baking tin. Drop spoonfuls of the cheesecake swirl and raspberry puree alternately over the batter. Pour the remaining brownie batter on top. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the cheesecake and raspberry into the batter to create a marbled effect.
- Bake and Cool: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs but not wet batter. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into heart shapes.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter and cheesecake swirl.
- Don’t overmix the brownie batter to preserve fudginess.
- Chill raspberry puree slightly before swirling to prevent sinking.
- Use a toothpick or skewer to gently swirl the cheesecake and raspberry for a beautiful marbled effect.
- Cool brownies completely before cutting to ensure clean heart shapes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: brownies, raspberry swirl, cheesecake, heart-shaped dessert, chocolate brownies, raspberry brownies, swirled brownies, celebration dessert, Valentine's dessert