Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies

These Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies are super super easy! The base of this recipe is just a regular boxed brownie mixed with a few added ingredients to make rich, fudgy brownies with the tanginess of cheesecake and the pop of bright raspberry flavor. These are a special treat for any occasion including a birthday, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and more!

Originally posted June 2019, updated August 2024.

Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies

It is raspberry season, and I am taking full advantage. These Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies are super super easy! I am all about easy and yummy recipes. 

I have been looking for any way possible to use fresh berries in my recipes this month. I'm a little obsessed. I LOVE baking with berries. Not only do berries make the dish more visually pleasing, they add a very unique and special flavor

For this recipe, I use regular brownies on the bottom and then a creamy cheesecake layer on top. Finish them off with the swirled effect to make them really pretty! Plus the bright red raspberries add color and create a tangy cheesecake layer!

I mean come on, look at those pops of red raspberries! My camera loved these little guys, and so did my kiddos. This batch was gone in minutes! 

Why You'll Love Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies with Box Mix

• Boxed Brownies. This recipe starts with a plain ole box of brownies. I love boxed brownies and I love brownies made from scratch but to keep things easier for this recipe, I use the box mix.
• Brownies + Cheesecake. I've already told you I love brownies. I also love cheesecake recipes. These are two of my favorite desserts. This is obviously true with all of my Instant Pot Cheesecakes, my Easy Cheesecake Cups, and of course, this Cheesecake.... So this combo of two amazing recipes is an over-the-top dessert. 

Tools Needed

• Mixing Bowls
• Electric Mixer
• Baking Pan
• Parchment Paper
• Sharp Knife

Ingredients

These are simple ingredients that make for a phenomenal cheesecake brownie recipe!

• Boxed Brownie Mix - I prefer this brand. You're going to mix this according to package directions to check it if you use something different. My ingredients for the brownies were:
  • water, vegetable oil and 1 egg
• Cream Cheese - softened to room temperature. You want it soft enough to be easily spreadable.
• Sugar - regular granulated white sugar
• Egg - a large egg, at room temperature.
• Fresh Raspberries
• Vanilla Extract - just a splash goes a long way and it's totally optional. You can use storebought or here's my recipe for homemade vanilla extract.

Find the complete recipe with ingredients measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies

The richness of the brownies combined with the delicious flavor of tangy raspberry cheesecake makes the best brownies ever! And they're really easy to make... here we go!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 7x9 baking dish with parchment paper. (You could also use an 8x8 square pan). For a little extra safety against sticking, spray the sides of the pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, make brownie batter according to boxed mix package directions and pour into pan. 
4. In a separate small bowl, mix room temperature cream cheese, sugar and egg. 
5. Pour the cheesecake mixture on top of the brownie batter in an even layer and gently swirl with a butter knife or the end of a spoon. You want to gently incorporate the cheesecake and brownie without overmixing (you want to see swirls). 
6. Sprinkle the fresh raspberries on top of the cheesecake layer. 
7. Pop into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes. You are looking for the batter to be set, slightly golden, and just beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan.
8. Remove from oven to cooling rack. Once the brownies are cool, cut them with a sharp knife into squares and serve. 

Variations and Mixins

• If you prefer homemade brownies over box mix, by all means, start with your favorite brownie recipe! You'll find my favorite homemade brownies recipe here.
• Stir in ½ cup mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips or even dark chocolate chips into the brownie mixture for some extra fudgy brownie base.
• Swirl ½ cup of raspberry puree or raspberry jam into the cheesecake swirl after it's poured onto the brownie layer for more raspberry flavor and a beautiful raspberry swirl.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm or cool brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of raspberry sauce (or warmed raspberry preserves or chocolate syrup).
• Serve with a cup of coffee or a tall glass of milk.
• Take a batch of raspberry cheesecake brownies to your child's favorite teacher for back-to-school, to a church potluck, or to whoever else you'd like an extra-special dessert for. These would also be a huge hit for a mom's night out, dessert on a weeknight, or a date night at home. They're also the perfect dessert for Valentine's Day. 

Pro Tips

Swirling. The secret to making these brownies look amazing is swirling the cheesecake batter in with the brownies. You want to mix just enough to create a swirl, and then stop! This gives the cheesecake topping a really pretty finish with the cream cheese swirl.

I know it is hard... trust me.. but just creating the slight swirl and mix of colors creates these gorgeous brownies.

Parchment Paper. Another great tip when making these brownies is to line your pan with parchment paper. This will make it easier for you to lift them out of the pan and cut them after they are finished baking, creating cleaner, prettier slices of awesomeness.

Storage Directions

Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The longer you keep them, the more they will dry out.

More Brownie Recipes

• How to Create the Perfect Valentine Brownies
• Homemade Double Chocolate Brownies
• Brownie Batter Frosting
• Instant Pot Brownie Cake
• 5 Ingredient Little Debbie Cosmic Brownie Ice Cream