Cheesecake Brownies

5 from 5 votes
14 Comments

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The pretzel crust in these Cheesecake Brownies gives an added dimension to the rich chocolate flavor and creamy cheesecake. Every bite is delightful!

Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownie with a bite taken out. Single pretzel on the side and glass of milk.
Featured with this Recipe
  1. Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies
  2. Sweet and Salty
  3. Ingredients in Cheesecake Brownies
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. More Pretzel Recipes To Love
  6. How To Make Cheesecake Brownies
  7. Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies

I have one daughter who loves pretzels, another daughter who loves cheesecake, and a husband who loves brownies. So I decided to get a little creative! Luckily these pretzel crust cheesecake brownies tasted amazing and everyone was happy!

Sweet and Salty

There are so many things to love about these cheesecake brownies, one of them is the combination of sweet and salty. Some cheesecakes, and some brownies for that matter, are delicious, but can almost go overboard on the sweet. Even for people with a high sugar tolerance. Adding the salty crunch of the pretzel crust to this combination gives it just enough variety to mix things up. As amazing as it sounds, the salt in the recipe actually enhances the sweet flavor, so there’s even more to love. This homemade brownie recipe is so much better than any boxed brownie mix or store-bought cheesecake.

Plate of three Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies with a glass of milk. Baking dish of Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies in the background.


Ingredients in Cheesecake Brownies

Pretty much every ingredient that makes a fabulous dessert in this baked goodness is found in these fudgy brownies!

  • Pretzels
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Chocolate chips
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Cream cheese
  • Vanilla Extract

Frequently Asked Questions

Do brownies with cream cheese need to be refrigerated?

Yes, these brownies should be stored in the fridge not at room temperature. It will last longer if stored in an airtight container rather than the original baking dish or plastic wrap. Or you could store them in the freezer for up to three months.

Can I top it with something other than pretzels?

If you prefer you could top it with walnuts, pecans, or any other salty topping to add that extra flavor.

How do you get the swirl look on the top of the brownies?

The best way to go about it is after adding the first brownie layer, pour the cream cheese mixture over it and the remaining brownie batter on top of that. Then using a small spoon or toothpick lightly stir the swirling patterns into the brownies.

Can I line the pan with parchment paper?

Yes, definitely. That makes for easy clean up.

Can I use a stand mixer for this recipe?

Yes, just be careful not to over mix. Keep it at medium speed just until mixed through.

Read Next: 33+ Easy Dessert Ideas

Close up of a hand holding up a Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownie with a bite taken out.

More Pretzel Recipes To Love

If you’re one who loves the unique flavor of pretzels — and everything that flavor can add to a recipe, you will definitely want to try some of these great recipes.

How To Make Cheesecake Brownies

Top view of three Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies on a plate.

Cheesecake Brownies

5 from 5 votes
The pretzel crust in these Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies gives an added dimension to the rich chocolate and creamy cheesecake. Every bite is delightful!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 20

Equipment

  • 9×13 inch pan
  • Hand Mixer

Ingredients

Crust:

Brownie:

Cheesecake layer:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together crushed pretzels, sugar and melted butter in a bowl until combined.
    Crushed pretzels mixed with melted butter in a bowl for Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies. Wooden spoon on the side.
  • Press firmly into a 9×13 pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 6 minutes.
    Pretzel crust pressed into a 9x13 baking dish for Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies.
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Reduce heat to 350 degrees.
    Baking dish with baked pretzel crust topped with melted chocolate chips for Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies.
  • Brownie: Mix sugar and butter until thoroughly combined. Add water, eggs and vanilla. Sift together flour and cocoa powder. Slowly add to wet ingredients until just combined.
    Bowl of brownie batter for Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies.
  • Cheesecake: Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and eggs.
    Bowl of cheesecake mixture for Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies. Wooden spoon on the side.
  • Carefully spread half of brownie mixture evenly over pretzel crust. Pour cheesecake on top of brownie mixture. Spread remaining half of the brownie mixture over cheesecake layer.
    Unbaked baking dish of layered Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies.
  • Cook 35-40 min. or until toothpick comes out clean.
    Baked dish of Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 436kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 5gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 295mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 777IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

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Comments

  1. Do these need to be refrigerated? My crust was also very runny, so I just added more pretzels. Worked ok.

    1. I usually refrigerate them but I’m sure if they weren’t refrigerated for a couple hours they would be ok. Hope this helps!

    1. The easiest way is in a food processor. But I will also put it in a ziplock bag, press out the air, and roll over it with a rolling pin.

  2. 5 stars
    I just made these last night, I baked them longer than it said. They got rave reviews from family. May have baked a little too long, crust got a little crunchy but still tasted great. Very rich.

  3. Hi! I just mixed up the crust – 2 cups crushed pretzels, sugar and 1 cup melted butter and came up with a VERY loose mixture, nothing that I can press into a pan! Are these measurements correct? Thanks.

  4. 5 stars
    This was amazing, made it for someon in my office, everyone went nuts for it. I loved the pretzal crust, do you think it would work well for a choclate tart? I would love tomake this my go to crust, the salt and sweet is perfection for me:)

  5. 5 stars
    Really Good!! My husband made these for an Elder’s Quorum dessert competition and got first place. They are the perfect combination of sweet and salty.