Espresso cheesecake brownies are a decadent and fudge-y brownie swirled with rich espresso cheesecake.
A few weeks ago I traveled to Phoenix to watch my Ducks in the Final Four. They lost, which was sad (but OK because hi, they made it to the FINAL FOUR) but you know what wasn’t sad?
I saw Phil Knight (I’m still freaking out here), black baseball cap and all, walking through my section before the game. I still have no idea what he was doing all the way up where I was sitting. I mean, he’s Phil Knight! He sat courtside for the game so what was he doing walking up all those stairs?
Lifelong Rabid Duck fan that I am, my heart immediately started racing and before I could stop myself, I’d shot out of my seat, whipped out my phone, and tapped him on the shoulder to ask for a selfie.
Can I just tell you it’s literally the first selfie I’ve ever taken of myself with another human? I’ve only ever taken them with my dog when she’s doing something cute. I’m not a selfie kind of girl. Nor am I the kind of girl who harasses celebrities. (Nor am I the kind of girl who ever sees celebrities outside the pages of People.)
So asking for a selfie with the guy who started the company that made every piece of workout gear that I own was out of character, to put it mildly. He couldn’t have been nicer and didn’t seem at all put out to pose with me. Probably because of the Duck shirt (with the Nike swoosh) I had on.
But what does any of this have to do with brownies? Not much. I’m just super proud to have that pic. And as it happens, on my drive to Phoenix from San Diego, I realized it’s been awhile since last I posted a brownie recipe. (Yep, tying it all together here.)
Don’t ask me what I was thinking because I couldn’t tell you. Clearly this was an egregious lapse on my part so to make it up to both of us I bring you these INSANE espresso cheesecake brownies.
Espresso cheesecake brownies. . .AKA heaven in bar cookie form.
Yes: brownies topped with cheesecake flavored with espresso. A brownie this good is life-changing. For real.
Side note: I will not be posting my selfie here because I look deranged in that photo and would prefer to enjoy my Charles Manson eyes in private. Let me offer you a brownie instead. . .it’s a Dorie recipe so you know it’s good.
Have a wonderful week!
Espresso cheesecake brownies are a decadent and fudge-y brownie swirled with rich espresso cheesecake.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into several pieces
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon boiling water
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray, dust with flour, and tap out the excess; place the pan on a large baking sheet and set aside.
- Place flour, baking powder, and salt in a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Place the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water. Stir until the butter and chocolate are just melted then remove from the heat. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
- Whisk sugar into chocolate mixture, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Whisk in the vanilla and espresso powder, then fold in the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until the flour is just incorporated. Set aside.
- Stir the espresso powder into the boiling water; allow to cool for a few minutes. Place the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium until very smooth. Add the sugar and beat for several minutes more. Beat in the vanilla and espresso mixture, then add the eggs 1 at a time, beating for 1 minute after each addition. Turn speed to low and add the sour cream and flour.
- Stir the brownie batter with a rubber spatula several times, then pour 3/4 of it into the prepared pan—you’ll have enough just to cover the bottom of the pan. Smooth the top. Pour the cheesecake mixture onto the brownie mixture in an even layer. Dot the cheesecake with the remaining brownie batter; use a knife to swirl the cheesecake and top brownie layer.
- Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until the brownies pull away from the sides of the pan and the cheesecake layer is puffed up. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack then refrigerate for 2 hours, until completely chilled. Slice into bars and serve.
Adapted (slightly) from Baking From My Home to Yours
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
Your cheesecake brownies turned out way better than mine! I am so inspired to try again 🙂
Kelsie says
Oh, I’m sorry yours didn’t turn out as well! I hope the second try turns out better 🙂
Teesh Osita says
This bars look like they are melt in your mouth goodness!!
Kelsie says
Thank you Teesh!
lynne hoareau says
These look amazing ! 🙂
Kelsie says
Thank you Lynne!
grace says
very cool! i often wonder how often i see famous people but don’t realize it because they look different in real life. probably not too often. 🙂
i love the look of these brownies and i’m sure they taste amazing!
Kelsie says
Haha! I never recognize celebrities–this was a first! Thank you Grace! Have a great weekend!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Oh heavens, this sounds crazy amazing!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Julie!
Marcie says
I love that your instincts took over and you got that photo! You’ll have it forever and that’s so cool! I’m also glad that you made these brownies because they cover 3 of my favorite things on the planet!
Kelsie says
It was definitely pure instinct. If I’d given it any thought at all I never would have had the courage! Thank you Marcie! They’re three of my favorites two 🙂
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen.com says
Well, at least you take these occasional selfies with the dog and now the celebrity. Lately, I’ve been taking a few while shooting my food (still only once in a while). Kind of preview of the upcoming events. Completely weird, I know. But these brownies ain’t weird at all – absolutely scrumptious combo!
Kelsie says
Nothing weird about food previews, Ben! Sometimes selfies are the only way I can even get pics of my dog because she’s so wiggly I usually have to hold her still :). Thank you! Happy Wednesday!
kitchenriffs says
What a fun story! Really neat experience. And what a recipe, too. Love cheesecake. Love brownies. Put them together? Heaven!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much! Total heaven. You just can’t beat cheesecake and chocolate together 🙂
Lindsay | With Salt and Pepper says
I’m right there with you on selfies!!! I can only justify them if one of my kids is in the pic…then the focus is only on them 🙂 These sound delicious btw…I love expresso flavored ANYTHING!!
Kelsie says
Exactly! I do not need pics of just me floating around out there–better to have my cute little puppy in there too. Espresso adds so much to everything doesn’t it? LOVE the stuff :). Have a great day, Lindsay!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
I’m highly disappointed you didn’t post the Phil Knight selfie but then you made up for it with this fantastically awesome brownie recipe, so I forgive you. Still…I’d like to see that selfie and your crazy eyes 😉 I have a girlfriend coming over for dinner tonight and don’t have dessert planned yet so may have to make these brownies. And I can have leftovers for breakfast tomorrow! Yay me!
Kelsie says
Hahaha! I just couldn’t bring myself to put that pic out there for all the world to see. These brownies are PERFECT for dessert tonight–and I’m jealous you’ll get to have them for breakfast, too. Mine are all gone :(. Enjoy an extra one for me, Karrie!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
What a cute story!Good to hear that he was friendly too. It’s such a disappointment when they aren’t friendly.
Kelsie says
Thank you, Lorraine! I would have been devastated if he were unfriendly! I’m so glad he was as sweet as can be 🙂
Liz | Bubble Tea For Dinner says
Hi Kelsie, I nominated you for a Blogger Recognition Award! ^^ . It’s optional, but fun, https://tinyurl.com/lnzo7zg Congratulations!
Kelsie says
Awwww than you so much, Liz! You’re too sweet!
hummingbirdthyme says
Kelsie – these do sound heavenly! We are in a cheesecake mood in my house lately, so I may have to give them a whirl! Thanks for the recipe! This was my team’s Final 4 year, too! It was exciting, wasn’t it?
Kelsie says
Cheesecake whirls are the best whirls of all! YES! It was so exciting! I honestly didn’t even care when they lost because it was so much fun just being there. Thank you Laura!
Maria Doss says
Ah…you made it happen with these brownies Kelsie. Though a cheesecake sounds divine with its creamy dreamy texture, an espresso brownie swirled into it takes it to whole new level and it is the perfect post for Monday. I can totally use some additional caffeine for the week!!!!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Maria! Caffeinated desserts are always a win. Especially on a Monday 🙂
Ruby_&_Cake says
Haha I love this story! It is so cute but I have no idea who this fellow is. I never thought myself to be the kind o girl to ask celebrities for photos either until I met Rebel Wilson and Rachel Khoo and I fan girled so hard it was embarrassing. I love what you have made here. You had me at chocolate and espresso but adding cheesecake into the mix?! So fab!
Kelsie says
WHOA! You met Rebel Wilson? I’d freak out too! I never thought I’d be a person to go crazy over celebrities but hey, I guess it’s not uncommon :). Thank you Ruby! Cheesecake makes chocolate EVEN BETTER!
sprint2thetable says
I totally would have snagged a pic with Phil Knight too!!! That’s my kind of celebrity. I would have also asked for free shoes. 😉
LOVE these brownies too. Monday brownies are always a win in my book.
Kelsie says
Haha! Next time I’ll ask for the shoes! Monday brownies are life! Thank you 🙂