Turtle Cheesecake Brownies – An Easy Cheesecake Recipe
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These Turtle Cheesecake Brownies are the most delicious & decadent dessert. Brownies topped with a cheesecake layer, more brownies, pecans, ooey-gooey caramel, and chocolate drizzle.
Caramel. Pecans. Chocolate. Cheesecake. Brownies. What else could you need? These are the BEST cheesecake brownie bars EVER!
This recipe comes from my dessert contributor, Allyson. I’ll let her take it from here to share with you this incredible caramel brownies recipe.
Hey everyone – I am Allyson from Domestic Superhero, and I am SO super excited to be Shannah’s new dessert contributor! My blog, Domestic Superhero, mainly features all kinds of recipes and then a little bit of DIY type of stuff here and there. I love creating delicious mouth watering recipes, and I can’t wait to share them with the Just Us Four Readers! The first recipe I’ve whipped up for y’all are extra decadent Turtle Cheesecake Brownies.
This is the most delicious and decadent dessert I’ve made in a while. I will admit, I love cheesecake. I love brownies. When you add all this ooey-gooey deliciousness to the top, I pretty much fall in love.
What is a turtle cheesecake brownie?
This is a combination of a gooey caramel brownies recipe and cheesecake brownies. You get all the gooey caramel, crunchy nuts, and tangy-sweet cheesecake combined with decadent chocolate.
I know, I know, you just made your New Year’s resolution to be healthier, right? Well, I have a secret for you….these are made with 1/3rd less fat cream cheese!! Ta-da!!! Healthy!!!
Am I convincing you yet? Do you need convincing? Probably not. Just make them and eat them…or make them and give them away – you will have 20 new best friends!
Ingredients for Turtle Cheesecake Brownies
There are two layers to these cheesecake brownies and then the toppings needed for a caramel brownies recipe too. Don’t shy away because of the list of the ingredients though. These are really easy to make, and although they take some cooling/fridge time, they are SO worth it. Make these the day before a party or event, and then add the toppings the next day. Perfect.
- Butter – I like to use salted butter but you can use unsalted, if your prefer.
- Vanilla – Look for pure vanilla extract.
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Cocoa
- Flour – All purpose flour is used in this recipe.
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Chopped Walnuts – These are part of the chocolate brownie layer. If you don’t like nuts in your brownies, you can omit them.
- Cream Cheese – This recipe uses 1/3 less fat cream cheese.
- Caramel Sauce
- Milk Chocolate Chips – You can substitute semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips to suit your preference.
- Chopped Pecans – Don’t like pecans? Substitute your favorite nuts, anything would be delicious.
Essential Items for This Recipe
More Dessert Bar Recipes
- Fudgy Rolo Brownies
- No Bake Turtle Cheesecake
- Gluten Free Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars
- Chocolate Coconut Brownies
Turtle Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
Brownie Layer
- 1 cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- ¾ cup cocoa
- 1 cup flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts optional
Cheesecake Layer
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Toppings
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/3 cup milk chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup pecans roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Link a 7×11 baking dish with nonstick foil.
Brownie Layer
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer combine melted butter with sugar and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one.1 cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 4 large eggs, 2 cups sugar
- Add the cocoa and mix well. Then add the flour, baking powder and salt, walnuts, and mix until just combined, do not over mix.¾ cup cocoa, 1 cup flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup chopped walnuts
- Set aside one cup of the brownie batter and smooth the rest into prepared baking pan.
Cheesecake Layer
- With your stand mixer or hand mixer (cleaned off), begin making your cheesecake layer by beating cream cheese and sugar until smooth.16 ounces cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar
- Add the vanilla and then the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 eggs
- Pour the cream cheese mixture on top of the brownie mixture. Using a spatula, smooth it evenly over the brownie batter.
Toppings
- Drizzle ¼ cup of caramel sauce over the top of the cream cheese layer. Then, using the reserved cup of brownie batter, drop spoonfuls over the top of the cheesecake/caramel. Use your spatula or a butter knife to gently swirl the batters. This will combine the cream cheese layer and top brownies layer a bit. This does not need to be perfect.1/2 cup caramel sauce
- Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes. Start checking at 45 minutes and look for the cheesecake to be just set.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then using the sides of the foil, pull the brownies up and out of the dish. Set on a wire rack and allow to cool for at least 1 hour, and then place into the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Remove from fridge, and drizzle 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce over the top of the brownies. Then sprinkle the chopped pecans over the caramel, covering the top.3/4 cup pecans
- Place chocolate chips in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and stir with a spoon or fork, then continue to microwave in 15 second increments, stirring every 15 seconds, until the chocolate is melted. This shouldn’t take more than 90 seconds at the most (probably more like 60 seconds).1/3 cup milk chocolate chips
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the nuts. Drizzle remaining caramel sauce over the nuts as well.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for the milk chocolate chips.
- The walnuts are optional in the brownie layer.
- Be sure to refrigerate the brownies when you are done serving.
- The brownies can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
I can’t wait to see y’all in February! I will have another mouth watering recipe to share with you! Want more in the meantime? Feel free to visit my blog, Domestic Superhero, or connect with me on social media! I love sharing recipes on Facebook and Instagram!
You can also connect with me here:
– Allyson
