Boxed Brownies with Cream Cheese

How to make boxed brownies better. A simple Box Brownie Hack with a creamy twist! Elevate your boxed brownie mix with an indulgent blend of rich chocolate flavors combined with the luxurious addition of cream cheese. The convenience of simple preparation while promising the irresistible taste of homemade goodness. Simply follow the easy instructions on the brownie mix’s box, and when it’s time to add your personal touch, swirl in the decadent dark chocolate and cream cheese blends. The result? A harmonious marriage of velvety chocolate and creamy cheesecake.⁠ Check out these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies for another way to make boxed brownies with cream cheese.

Why you will love this recipe…

Using a boxed brownie mix as a base and enhancing it with cream cheese offers several advantages:

1. Convenience: Boxed brownie mixes provide a convenient and quick solution for baking delicious treats. They typically require minimal preparation and can be whipped up in no time, making them perfect for busy schedules or last-minute cravings.
2. Consistency: Boxed mixes are formulated to deliver consistent results every time. They contain precise measurements of ingredients, ensuring that your brownies turn out moist, chewy, and perfectly textured.
3. Cost-effective: Boxed mixes are often more affordable than purchasing individual ingredients separately. They also eliminate the need to buy large quantities of ingredients that may not be used frequently, making them a budget-friendly option.
4. Versatility: Boxed mixes serve as a versatile canvas for experimentation. By adding cream cheese or other ingredients, you can customize the flavor profile to suit your preferences or create unique variations to impress your friends and family.
5. Time-saving: Using a boxed mix as a base significantly reduces the time and effort required for baking. You can spend less time measuring and mixing ingredients and more time enjoying the delicious results.
6. Conservation of Ingredients: If you don’t often use ingredients like cocoa powder, flour, or baking powder, opting for a boxed mix prevents waste by only using what you need for the recipe.
7. Beginner-friendly: Boxed mixes are perfect for novice bakers or those who may not be confident in their baking skills. They provide a straightforward and foolproof way to achieve professional-quality results without the stress of complicated recipes.

Ingredient Notes

• Boxed Brownie – Brownie mixes have lots of advantages like Convenience, Consistency and being very Beginner-friendly.
• Cream Cheese – Cream cheese adds a rich and creamy texture and has a slight tanginess that balances out the sweetness in desserts, while adding depth to the flavor.
• Black Cocoa – Black Cocoa has a rich, intense flavor with deep cocoa notes. Swirling dark chocolate into brownie batter enhances the overall chocolatey taste of the brownies, creating a more complex and indulgent flavor profile.

Ingredient Subsitutions

• Box Brownie Mix – feel free to use your favorite brownie recipe as your base for this recipe.
• Dutch Processed Cocoa – this cocoa is easier to find than black cocoa and will give you great results as well.
• Light Cream Cheese or Lactose Free Cream Cheese – both will work in this recipe.

Instructions

1. Pre heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Grease or generously spray a 8″ x 8″ or 9″ x 9″ square pan with non stick spray. You can line the pan with parchment as well for easier clean up.
3. Follow the directions on the brownie mix to make the brownie batter. If you brownie mix has chocolate pieces great! If not, you can add ½ cup of chocolate chips into the batter.
4. Remove 1 cup of the brownie batter and add black cocoa powder and add 2 tablespoons of black cocoa. Set aside.
5. In another bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth or whisk vigorously by hand until smooth.
6. Pour the browine batter in the prepared pan.
7. Add spoonfuls of the cream chese mixture alternately with spoonfuls of the dark cocoa mixture.
8. Use the end of a knife to swirl the batters together.
9. Bake in pre heated oven for 40-45 minutes. Until edges of the brownie are slightly set and pulling away from the sides of the pan, with a slightly darker color than the rest of the brownie. The center of the brownie might still look slightly underdone, but should not appear wet or jiggly.

Expert Baking Tips

• Make sure to spray the pan with baking non-stick spray, so the brownies don’t stick to the pan. It is also a good idea to place parchment paper on the bottom of the tray as well.
• Remember that brownies will continue to firm up as they cool, so it’s important not to overbake them.
• Boxed mixes are often more affordable than purchasing individual ingredients separately. They also eliminate the need to buy large quantities of ingredients that may not be used frequently, making them a budget-friendly option.

FAQ

Recipe Variations

• Gluten Free – there are lots of gluten free brownie mixes out there. The cream cheese mixture and dark cocoa mixture are both gluten free so this would be an easy recipe to make gluten free!
• Cream Cheese only swirl – if you don’t have cocoa this recipe is delicious with just the cream cheese swirl.
• Feel free to add other mix ins as well. Extra chocolate chips are always a good idea.

Special Tools

• 9 x 9 inch square pan makes a nice thick brownie. I use this one. An 8 x 8 inch square pan would also work. If using a 9 x 13 inch rectangular pan you should double the recipe.
• Parchment paper – I find all brands pretty similar so I typically just buy what ever is on sale.

Storing and Freezing

• Room Temperature – Once the brownies have cooled in the pan, transfer the pan to a cool, dry surface at room temperature. Allowing them to cool completely at room temperature helps to prevent them from becoming too firm or drying out.
• Freezing –
  • Cool Completely: Allow the brownies to cool completely at room temperature after baking. This step is crucial to prevent condensation from forming inside the packaging, which can lead to soggy brownies.
  • Cut into Portions: Cut the brownies into individual portions or the desired serving size before freezing. This makes it easier to thaw and enjoy them later without having to defrost the entire batch.
  • Wrap Properly: Wrap each brownie portion tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and protect them from absorbing any odors in the freezer. Alternatively, you can place the brownies in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer-safe resealable bag.
  • Label and Date: It’s important to label the wrapped brownies with the date of freezing so you can keep track of their freshness. Also, consider labeling them with the type of brownie if you’re freezing different varieties.
  • Store in Freezer: Place the wrapped brownies in the freezer in a single layer to freeze them initially. Once they are frozen solid, you can stack them if needed to save space.
  • Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy the brownies, remove the desired number of portions from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 1 to 2 hours, or until they are completely thawed. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions for a few seconds to warm them up.
  • Optional: Reheat: If you prefer warm brownies, you can reheat them in the microwave or oven after thawing. Microwave for a few seconds or warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 10 minutes until heated through.
  • By following these steps, you can freeze brownies effectively and enjoy them later without compromising their flavor or texture. Properly stored frozen brownies can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Recipe