First, thank you so much for being here and sharing your love for homemade desserts with me! I’m beyond excited to bring you this recipe because it’s pure heaven on a plate. Caramel Brownie Cheesecake is a showstopper: layers of fudgy brownie, creamy cheesecake, and gooey caramel all swirling together into one irresistible dessert.
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What is Caramel Brownie Cheesecake?
Caramel Brownie Cheesecake is exactly what it sounds like: a rich, decadent cheesecake baked over a thick brownie base and crowned with a dreamy caramel topping. It’s where the deep chocolate of a brownie meets the silky tang of cheesecake, all kissed by buttery caramel. Think of it as the love child of your two favorite desserts—truly the best of both worlds!
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Brownie Cheesecake
Incredible Texture: Every bite gives you chewy brownie, smooth cheesecake, and sticky caramel!
Gorgeous Presentation: It’s a stunner for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you want to impress.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It actually tastes even better after chilling, so it’s perfect for planning ahead.
What Does Caramel Brownie Cheesecake Taste Like?
Imagine biting into a thick, chocolatey brownie… but just as you start to savor the richness, a luscious, creamy cheesecake melts across your tongue, followed by a buttery caramel finish. It’s a harmony of flavors—sweet, slightly tangy, and deeply satisfying. Honestly, the smell when this is baking is out of this world!!
Benefits of Making Caramel Brownie Cheesecake at Home
Customizable: Make it as sweet or salty as you like with your choice of caramel.
No Fancy Equipment Needed: Basic baking tools will do the trick.
Better Than Store-Bought: Homemade taste that’s fresher, richer, and full of love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Brownie Layer:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Caramel Topping:
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for garnish)
Tools You’ll Need
- 9-inch springform pan
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Parchment paper
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
Swirl in chocolate chips into the brownie layer for extra richness.
Use salted caramel if you love that sweet-salty vibe.
Swap the caramel with chocolate ganache if you’re feeling extra indulgent.
Make it gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend!
How to Make Caramel Brownie Cheesecake
Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Layer
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease the sides. In a medium bowl, melt the butter, then stir in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Sift in cocoa, flour, salt, and baking powder, and mix until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes. Let it cool slightly.
Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Layer
While the brownie cools, beat the softened cream cheese until creamy. Add sugar and beat again until smooth. Mix in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. Pour this mixture gently over the cooled brownie layer.
Step 3: Bake the Cheesecake
Return the pan to the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is just set and a little jiggly. Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
Step 4: Chill
Remove from the oven, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This helps everything set perfectly!
Step 5: Add Caramel Topping
Before serving, pour the caramel sauce generously over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if using. Slice, serve, and watch everyone swoon!!
What to Serve with Caramel Brownie Cheesecake
- A dollop of whipped cream
- Fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries
- A strong espresso or rich coffee
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream (because why not?)
Tips for the Best Caramel Brownie Cheesecake
Don’t overbake: The center should be slightly wobbly when you turn the oven off.
Room temperature ingredients: Especially cream cheese and eggs for the smoothest batter.
Chill thoroughly: Overnight is ideal for clean, beautiful slices.
Use a hot knife: Wipe between cuts for sharp, pretty slices!
Storage Instructions
Store leftover cheesecake covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze slices individually wrapped in plastic and then foil for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving!
General Information About Caramel Brownie Cheesecake
This recipe yields about 12 decadent slices. It’s perfect for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or whenever you just deserve a rich treat (and don’t we all sometimes?). It’s a little bit of work but absolutely worth every second.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a boxed brownie mix for the base?
Yes! Just prepare according to package directions and pour into the pan as your first layer.
What if I don’t have a springform pan?
You can use a regular 9-inch cake pan lined with parchment, but getting the cheesecake out cleanly will be trickier.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, it tastes even better after a day in the fridge.
Is homemade caramel better than store-bought?
Both work! Homemade adds a richer, deeper flavor, but store-bought is quicker and still delicious.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s a total crowd-pleaser, Caramel Brownie Cheesecake is it! It’s rich, stunning, and seriously satisfying. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a birthday, or a cozy weekend treat, this cheesecake will wow everyone lucky enough to snag a slice.
Love cheesecakes and brownies? Then you’ll also adore my Peach Cobbler Cheesecake, Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, and Ultimate Fudge Brownies. Stay tuned for even more amazing recipes!
Interactive Elements
If you make this Caramel Brownie Cheesecake, I’d love to see it! Please leave a review below and tag your creations on Pinterest—sharing your baking magic makes my day!!
Nutritional Information (Approximate per slice)
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Sugar: 32g
- Protein: 6g
Caramel Brownie Cheesecake
This Caramel Brownie Cheesecake is the ultimate dessert mashup! Fudgy brownie, luscious cheesecake, and buttery caramel come together in every decadent bite. Perfect for celebrations or when you just need something spectacularly sweet. A total crowd-pleaser that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious!
- Total Time: 4 hours chilling
- Yield: 5 hours 35 minutes 1x
Ingredients
Brownie Layer:
-
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
-
1 cup granulated sugar
-
2 large eggs
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
-
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
-
1/4 teaspoon salt
-
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Cheesecake Layer:
-
16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
-
1/2 cup granulated sugar
-
2 large eggs
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Topping:
-
1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
-
Flaky sea salt (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease the sides.
-
In a medium bowl, melt the butter. Stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
-
Sift in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool slightly.
-
While the brownie cools, beat softened cream cheese until creamy. Add sugar and beat until smooth. Mix in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla.
-
Pour the cheesecake batter gently over the brownie layer.
-
Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the center is just set and slightly jiggly.
-
Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
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Remove, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
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Before serving, pour caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if using. Slice and enjoy every delicious layer!
Notes
-
For extra gooeyness, swirl chocolate chips into the brownie batter before baking.
-
Love salty-sweet? Use salted caramel and a touch more sea salt on top!
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Don’t skip chilling the cheesecake—it makes slicing so much easier and gives you that gorgeous clean edge!
-
To make slicing super neat, dip your knife in hot water and wipe it clean between each cut.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: caramel brownie cheesecake, brownie cheesecake, caramel cheesecake, cheesecake with brownie base, caramel dessert, cheesecake recipe
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