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Dreamy Caramel Brownie Cheesecake Delight Recipe

4.7 from 89 reviews

Experience the rich and decadent flavors of this Caramel Brownie Cheesecake Delight, featuring a fudgy brownie base topped with creamy cheesecake and finished with a luscious homemade caramel sauce. Perfect for any special occasion or dessert craving.

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Layer

  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter (Can be substituted with margarine for dairy-free)
  • 2 cups Granulated Sugar (No substitute advised)
  • 4 large Eggs (Flaxseed or applesauce can be used for vegan adaptations)
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (Use pure extract for best flavor)
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (Gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute)
  • ⅔ cup Cocoa Powder (Dutch-processed cocoa can be used for darker flavor)
  • ½ teaspoon Salt (Recommended for best taste)

Cheesecake Layer

  • 16 ounces Cream Cheese (Neufchâtel can be a lower-fat option)
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 3 large Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • ½ cup Sour Cream (Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute)

Caramel Sauce

  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar (Watch closely while cooking)
  • 6 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • ½ cup Heavy Cream (Half-and-half can be used for a lighter sauce)
  • a pinch Sea Salt (Can be adjusted to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy release of the baked cheesecake.
  2. Make Brownie Batter: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter. Stir in 2 cups of granulated sugar until combined and remove from heat. Whisk in 4 large eggs one at a time until fully incorporated, then add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, ⅔ cup of cocoa powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix for a tender brownie base.
  4. Bake Brownie Layer: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared springform pan and bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, until set but still slightly fudgy in the center.
  5. Prepare Cheesecake Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat 16 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 cup of granulated sugar until smooth. Add 3 large eggs one at a time, then mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ½ cup of sour cream until fully combined and creamy.
  6. Layer and Bake Cheesecake: After the brownie layer has cooled for about 10 minutes, pour the cheesecake mixture evenly over the brownie layer. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30–35 minutes until the cheesecake is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
  7. Make Caramel Sauce: While the cheesecake bakes, heat 1 cup of granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it melts into a smooth amber caramel. Carefully stir in 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter and ½ cup of heavy cream, continuing to stir until the sauce is smooth and glossy. Add a pinch of sea salt and adjust to taste.
  8. Finish and Chill: Once baked, remove cheesecake from the oven and drizzle the warm caramel sauce evenly over the top. Allow cake to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set and develop flavors before serving.

Notes

  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with margarine and cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative.
  • Use gluten-free flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • You can use flaxseed or applesauce instead of eggs for a vegan adaptation, but results may vary slightly.
  • Watch the caramel closely to avoid burning; remove from heat as soon as it melts and turns golden amber.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature for a smoother cheesecake batter.
  • Do not overbake the cheesecake layer to prevent cracking; it should still have a slight jiggle when done.

Keywords: Brownie, Cheesecake, Caramel Sauce, Dessert, Chocolate, Rich, Creamy, Fudgy