Ridiculously Easy Cream Cheese Brownie Tart Recipe

Introduction

This Ridiculously Easy Cream Cheese Brownie Tart is a luscious dessert that combines rich chocolate brownie with a smooth caramel cream cheese swirl. Perfect for any occasion, it’s simple to make yet impressively delicious.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ ounces semi sweet baking chocolate
• ¼ cup room temperature coffee, or water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup butter, salted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 8 ounces very soft cream cheese, full-fat or reduced-fat
• ½ cup caramel sauce, homemade or storebought
• 1 large egg (for cream cheese mixture)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for cream cheese mixture)
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (for cream cheese mixture)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9 or 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray, line the bottom with parchment paper, and place it on a large baking sheet.
2. Step 2: Combine the coffee (or water), chocolate, sugar, and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, then continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until smooth and melted. Let cool for 5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in the cocoa powder, then whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Fold in the flour until combined. Set aside.
4. Step 4: Whisk the softened cream cheese until smooth and lighter in texture (about 30 seconds). Add the caramel sauce and stir to combine, then mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
5. Step 5: Pour most of the brownie batter into the prepared pan, reserving about ¼ cup. Spread the cream cheese caramel mixture evenly over the batter.
6. Step 6: Dollop the reserved brownie batter over the cream cheese layer. Use a skewer or sharp knife to swirl the layers together, creating a marbled effect.
7. Step 7: Bake for 22 to 28 minutes until the tart is set, slightly puffed, and no longer jiggly. Let cool to room temperature before removing from the pan.
8. Step 8: Serve with whipped cream and a sprig of mint. For extra indulgence, drizzle with caramel sauce.

Tips & Variations

• Use room temperature coffee instead of water to enhance the chocolate flavor.
• Make sure the cream cheese is very soft to create a smooth swirl.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend.
• Try adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the brownie batter for extra texture.

Storage

Store the tart covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat briefly at room temperature or serve chilled. For best flavor, enjoy within two days.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use almond milk instead of coffee or water?

Yes, almond milk or any milk alternative will work well and add a bit of extra richness to the brownies.

What can I substitute for caramel sauce?

You can use dulce de leche, butterscotch sauce, or even a thick honey drizzle as alternatives to caramel sauce in the cream cheese swirl.

Ridiculously Easy Cream Cheese Brownie Tart Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 135 reviews

This Ridiculously Easy Cream Cheese Brownie Tart combines a rich, fudgy brownie base swirled with a luscious caramel cream cheese layer. Perfectly balanced with intense chocolate flavor and gooey caramel notes, this tart is a show-stopping dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make in a single pan.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 28 minutes
• Total Time: 43 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Brownie Base:

• 2 ½ ounces semi sweet baking chocolate
• ¼ cup room temperature coffee, or the same amount of water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup butter (salted)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour

For the Caramel Cream Cheese Swirl:

• 8 ounces very soft cream cheese (full-fat or reduced-fat, not no-fat)
• ½ cup caramel sauce (homemade or storebought)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Lightly spray a 9 or 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray. Line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper, then place the tart pan on a large baking sheet to catch any drips.
2. Make the Brownie Base: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the coffee (or water), semi-sweet baking chocolate, granulated sugar, and butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir thoroughly. Repeat microwaving on high for another minute and stir again. Continue to heat in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until the butter and chocolate are fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Let cool for 5 minutes.
3. Add Cocoa, Eggs and Flour: After cooling, stir in the unsweetened cocoa powder until well combined. Whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract, and kosher salt until smooth, then gently fold in the all-purpose flour. Set this brownie batter aside.
4. Prepare the Caramel Cream Cheese Swirl: In a separate bowl, whisk the softened cream cheese for about 30 seconds until smooth and lighter in texture. Stir in the caramel sauce until fully incorporated. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and kosher salt, mixing until everything is combined into a smooth batter.
5. Assemble the Tart: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared tart pan, reserving approximately ¼ cup of batter. Spread the caramel cream cheese layer evenly over the brownie batter to cover it as best as possible. Dollop the reserved brownie batter over the cream cheese layer in small spoonfuls.
6. Create the Swirl: Using a skewer or a sharp knife, gently swirl the layers together by dragging through the batter to create a marbled effect with the brownie and cream cheese mixtures.
7. Bake the Tart: Place the tart on the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 22 to 28 minutes until the tart is slightly puffed, set, and no longer jiggly in the center.
8. Cool and Serve: Remove the tart from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, carefully remove the tart from the pan. Serve with an optional dollop of whipped cream, a sprig of mint, and an additional drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent finish.

Notes

• Refer to the detailed Café Tips in the full recipe post for additional guidance and tricks to ensure baking success.
• Metric measurements can be toggled in the recipe interface for precise ingredient amounts.
• Choosing full-fat or reduced-fat cream cheese rather than no-fat ensures the rich texture and flavor of the cream cheese swirl.
• Make sure to use a tart pan with a removable bottom for easier serving and presentation.

Keywords: brownie tart, cream cheese tart, caramel swirl dessert, easy chocolate tart, chocolate caramel dessert