Decadent Cherry Topped Brownie Cheesecake: The Ultimate Easy Dessert Recipe
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with this incredibly decadent cherry topped brownie cheesecake – a dessert that truly brings together the best of all worlds. Imagine a rich, fudgy brownie serving as the perfect base, topped with a velvety smooth cheesecake filling, and crowned with a vibrant, sweet cherry pie topping. This recipe, originally inspired by Lucky Leaf Pie Filling, is not just a dessert; it’s an experience. Even for those who swear by scratch baking or fresh ingredients, the convenience and consistent quality of canned pie filling for recipes like this make it an invaluable pantry staple, especially when fresh cherries are out of season. It transforms a simple cheesecake into a show-stopping creation with minimal effort.
Crafting the Perfect Cherry Topped Brownie Cheesecake
This cherry topped brownie cheesecake recipe cleverly utilizes a full box of fudge brownie mix for its irresistible crust. This eliminates the need for a traditional graham cracker crust, offering a deeper, more satisfying chocolate flavor and a wonderfully fudgy texture that truly elevates the dessert. Once the brownie base is baked and cooled, it’s generously topped with a luscious cheesecake mixture, and then adorned with a generous layer of canned cherry pie filling. While the original Lucky Leaf recipe provides an excellent foundation, we’ve updated and refined it to ensure an even more luxurious result, including a slightly extended bake time to guarantee that exquisite creaminess.
The beauty of this brownie cheesecake lies in its adaptability. You can follow the original concept precisely, leveraging the ease of a brownie mix for the crust. However, for those who love to experiment, feel free to incorporate scratch-made elements. You could bake your favorite homemade brownie recipe for the base, or even prepare your own fresh fruit topping when cherries are in season. The core idea of combining the rich chocolate brownie with the tangy creaminess of cheesecake and the sweet burst of cherries remains consistently delicious. For the original inspiration, you can find it here. Our version, however, features a refined bake time of approximately 45 minutes (though always check for doneness around the 40-minute mark), ensuring a truly creamy cheesecake. The edges set beautifully, providing structural integrity, while the cherry filling subtly buried in the center keeps the interior wonderfully soft and moist, preventing any dryness and adding a delightful surprise with every slice.
Step-by-Step Assembly: Building Your Brownie Cheesecake Masterpiece
Creating this easy brownie cheesecake is a straightforward process, broken down into manageable steps. The first crucial stage involves preparing the brownie crust in a springform pan. For our batch, we opted for a box of Pillsbury Funfetti Brownie Mix. Interestingly, this mix had been purchased previously for its fun sprinkles, which were used to create Cosmic Double Chocolate Cookies. It was a true pleasure to put the remaining brownie mix to such good use, proving that no ingredient goes to waste in a creative kitchen!
Baking the Fudgy Brownie Crust
To start, prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions. This usually involves combining the mix with eggs, oil, and water. Make sure your springform pan is adequately greased or lined with parchment paper to ensure easy removal later. After mixing, pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake as specified. The most critical step at this juncture is allowing the brownie base to cool completely before proceeding. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a vital component for a successful cherry brownie cheesecake. A completely cool or even chilled crust prevents overbaking during the second round in the oven with the cheesecake topping, ensuring a perfectly moist brownie and a structurally sound foundation for your creamy filling. Rushing this step can lead to a crumbly crust or an overcooked base, compromising the overall texture of your dessert.
Layering the Luscious Cherry Filling
Once your brownie base is thoroughly cooled, it’s time for the first layer of cherry goodness. Carefully spread about half a cup of the cherry pie filling directly onto the baked brownie. The key here is to leave a small border (around 2 inches) around the edge. This central layer of cherries will create a delightful, slightly hidden surprise within the creamy cheesecake, adding moisture, flavor, and a beautiful visual effect when sliced. This initial layer ensures that the vibrant cherry flavor is infused throughout the cheesecake, making every bite a harmonious blend of chocolate, cream cheese, and fruit.
After the initial cherry layer is in place, you’ll gently scrape the prepared cheesecake filling over the cherries, carefully spreading it all the way to the edges of the pan. This technique ensures a seamless transition between the layers and a uniform appearance. The cheesecake is then baked for approximately 45 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle. This slight jiggle indicates a perfectly creamy interior that will firm up beautifully upon cooling and chilling.
The Secret to a Silky Smooth Cheesecake: Room Temperature Ingredients
One of the most crucial tips for achieving a perfectly smooth and lump-free cheesecake batter is to ensure all your dairy ingredients, especially cream cheese, are at room temperature. Softened cream cheese blends much more easily with sugar and other ingredients, preventing those unwelcome lumps that can sometimes appear in your finished product. If you’ve ever experienced lumpy batter, even after softening your cream cheese, you’re not alone. We’ve noticed this phenomenon occasionally with certain store-brand cream cheeses, which can sometimes be a bit firmer. The good news is that most of the time, these small lumps tend to smooth out wonderfully as the cheesecake bakes, so don’t despair if your batter isn’t absolutely flawless before it goes into the oven.
Beyond the cream cheese, bringing your eggs to room temperature is equally important. Cold eggs, when added to a cream cheese mixture, can cause the fats to seize up and create a lumpy texture. Room temperature eggs, on the other hand, emulsify more readily with the other ingredients, resulting in a homogenous and smooth batter. To quickly bring eggs to room temperature, simply place them in a bowl of warm water for about 5-10 minutes. For cream cheese, unwrap it and let it sit on the counter for at least an hour, or even microwave it gently in short bursts (10-15 seconds) until pliable. Taking these small preparatory steps will significantly impact the quality and texture of your finished creamy cheesecake.
Cooling, Chilling, and the Grand Finale
Once your brownie cheesecake is baked, the journey to perfection isn’t over. Proper cooling and chilling are paramount for the cheesecake to fully set and for its flavors to meld beautifully. After baking, allow the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature, ideally on a wire rack. This gradual cooling process helps prevent cracking. Once cooled to room temperature, transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 4 hours, though overnight is always recommended for the best results. A well-chilled cheesecake is not only easier to slice but also boasts a firmer, creamier texture and a more intense flavor profile.
The final touches are where this cherry topped dessert truly shines. Once chilled and ready to serve, spread the remaining cherry pie filling in a beautiful circle over the top center of the cheesecake. This creates a vibrant, eye-catching centerpiece. For an elegant finish, pipe sweetened whipped cream or whipped topping around the edges. This adds another layer of creamy texture and a visually appealing contrast to the deep red cherries and rich brownie base. The combination of the fudgy brownie, the smooth cheesecake, the tangy cherries, and the light whipped cream creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is simply irresistible. This is truly the perfect Cherry Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake – an easy yet impressively elegant dessert for any occasion!
Why This Easy Brownie Cheesecake is a Must-Try
This cherry topped brownie cheesecake stands out as a phenomenal dessert for several compelling reasons. Firstly, its ease of preparation makes it accessible to bakers of all skill levels. Using a boxed brownie mix for the crust dramatically cuts down on prep time without sacrificing flavor, making it a fantastic option for busy individuals who still want to create something spectacular. Secondly, the flavor combination is simply divine: the rich, deep chocolate of the brownie, the tangy sweetness of the creamy cheesecake, and the bright fruitiness of the cherry topping create a harmonious balance that satisfies every craving. It’s a sophisticated dessert that doesn’t require complex techniques or obscure ingredients.
Moreover, this recipe is incredibly versatile. While we adore the cherry topping, you could easily experiment with other canned fruit fillings like blueberry, strawberry, or even apple for a different seasonal twist. The brownie base itself can be customized – imagine adding chocolate chips to the brownie batter or a hint of espresso powder for extra depth. This decadent dessert is not just about following steps; it’s about inspiring creativity in your kitchen. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, holidays, or simply as a special treat to brighten any day.
Serving and Storage Tips for Your Cheesecake
When it comes to serving your perfectly chilled brownie cheesecake, a few tips can help ensure a beautiful presentation. For clean slices, use a sharp knife warmed under hot water and wiped dry between each cut. This will help the knife glide through the cheesecake layers without sticking or dragging, creating crisp edges. This cheesecake is best served cold, straight from the refrigerator, to maintain its firm texture and refreshing taste.
Should you have any leftovers (though it’s unlikely!), this cherry cheesecake stores wonderfully. Place any remaining slices in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will maintain its freshness and delicious flavor for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze individual slices for longer storage; wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight. This makes it an ideal make-ahead dessert, allowing you to prepare it in advance for special occasions and reduce last-minute stress.
- White Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
- Cherry Cheesecake Pie
- White Chocolate Cherry Almond Cookies
- Small Batch Black Chocolate Cherry Cookies
- Cheesecake Bars (Small Batch)
Recipe
Cherry Topped Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box 19.4 oz Funfetti or other brownie mix
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil (or use amount on brownie mix)
- ¼ cup water (or use amount on brownie mix)
Cheesecake Filling
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large large eggs, room temperature
- 21 oz can cherry pie filling
- ⅛ teaspoon almond extract optional
Instructions
-
Grease a 9 inch springform pan or spray with cooking spray.
-
Prepare brownie mix as directed on the package. For instance, if using Funfetti, set aside the candy coated chips to use for something else (like Cosmic Chocolate Cookies!), then mix the brownie mix, 2 eggs, oil, and water and beat 50 strokes. Pour in the pan.
-
Set the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch links, then bake for 28-30 minutes at 350 or until set. Let cool completely.
-
To make the filling, bring all ingredients to room temperature. Beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth, then beat in the eggs, one by one, on medium low speed.
-
If using almond extract, add a little bit to the cherry pie filling and stir to mix. Spread about ½ cup of the cherry topping in the middle of the brownie, leaving about a 2 inch border.
-
Scrape the cream cheese mixture over the cherry mixture and spread to the edge of the pan. Bake for 45 minutes at 350. It should look pretty set at this point. Let cool completely, then chill until very cold.
-
Spread cherry mixture in a circle over the top center and spread or pipe sweetened whipped cream or whipped topping around sides.