Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

These brownies with cream cheese frosting are super fudgy, moist, and made extra special with the addition of the easy and creamy frosting!

If you love brownies, then I think you'll agree with us that a classic fudgy brownie is so great, but variations are also so fun! This recipe is just that - a very chocolatey and chewy traditional brownie made extra tasty topped with cream cheese frosting! The cream cheese frosting is so easy, and also pairs so well with the brownies because it's not overly sweet.

This recipe is also so great for sharing, and the brownies can be cut into 9 or 16 squares depending on how big you like them. After frosting them with the cream cheese frosting, they also look so pretty topped with some chocolate shavings! They're perfectly sweet, and extra satisfying if you're in the mood for a brownie with a twist.

If you're in the mood for another baking idea, be sure to try our Orange Loaf Cake, or if you're looking for another recipe that's great for sharing, you'll love our Whipped Ricotta Dip with Honey.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love these Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Ingredients for the Brownies
• Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Frosting
• Step by Step Instructions for these Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Tips for Making these Easy Frosted Brownies
• FAQs
• Storing and Freezing
• 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love these Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

They're super easy! These brownies are super easy, and require very little prep time! Decorating them with the cream cheese frosting and chocolate shavings is also very simple and quick.

They're perfectly chocolatey and just sweet enough. The brownies themselves are so fudgy and chocolatey, and the cream cheese frosting goes so well with them because it's not as sweet as a traditional buttercream frosting.

It's the best brownie recipe! We've tried this brownie recipe so many times, and it never fails us! It's so easy and they're beyond delicious. If you're in search of a go-to brownie you must give this recipe a try!

Ingredients for the Brownies

These brownies require most of the traditional brownie ingredients, some of which you may already have on hand!

• Flour - This brownie recipe only uses ½ a cup of flour, which is perfect if you don't have much on hand.
• Sugar - A little regular granulated white sugar to make these brownies perfectly sweet.
• Brown Sugar - So fantastic in a brownie recipe! It makes them extra rich and adds a little more flavor.
• Cocoa powder - To make for the best chocolatey brownie.
• Salt - Just a little bit!
• Eggs - 2 eggs make the brownies so moist, and also create the perfect chewy and fudgy texture.
• Egg yolk - We love adding an additional egg yolk to the recipe because it helps make the brownies a little bit sturdier while still leaving them chewy. This also helps make them a great base for frosting!
• Butter - Cooled melted butter is used in this recipe which makes it super easy to whisk all the ingredients together by hand with a whisk.
• Vanilla extract - A baking recipe staple of course!
• Vegetable oil - We love adding a little vegetable oil to our brownie recipe because it helps make them extra moist.
• Semisweet chocolate chips - Adding chocolate chips makes for the most chocolatey brownies that also have a little crunch.
• Bittersweet chocolate chips - We love adding half bittersweet chocolate chips because it ensures the brownies aren't overly sweet.
• Warm water - If you're batter seems too thick, then adding 1 tablespoon of warm water will ensure it's pourable and perfectly glossy.
• Chocolate shavings - Optional, but they make for the prettiest topping on the cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Frosting

The cream cheese frosting only requires 5 ingredients, 2 of which you'll already have for the brownies!

• Butter - Some softened butter for making the creamiest frosting.
• Cream cheese - Key for the cream cheese frosting, of course! You only need 5 ounces and you'll also want to make sure it's softened because it makes it much easier to ensure that there aren't lumps in the frosting.
• Powdered sugar - Another key ingredient to a smooth and creamy frosting!
• Milk - Just a little to achieve the right consistency.
• Vanilla extract - Only a little to add a subtle flavor that isn't overpowering.

See recipe card below for quantities.

Step by Step Instructions for these Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Both the brownie recipe and cream cheese frosting recipe are super easy, and half of the total time of this recipe is just letting the brownies cool before frosting them!

STEP 1: Preheat oven and prepare pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper, then spray with cooking spray.

STEP 2: Combine dry ingredients. Add flour, sugars, cocoa powder, and salt to a medium sized mixing bowl, whisking to combine.

STEP 3: Combine wet ingredients. In a separate large bowl, add eggs and egg yolk, whisking for 1-2 minutes until frothy. Add slightly cooled melted butter, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil, whisking to combine.

STEP 4: Combine ingredients and add chocolate chips. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredient mixture, stirring to combine with a wooden spoon. Mix in chocolate chips. If the batter seems very thick, add in 1 tablespoon of warm water and mix until glossy.

STEP 5: Bake brownies. Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the top with a spatula, and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick just comes out clean. Do not overbake.

STEP 6: Let brownies cool. Remove from oven and let cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour in the pan.

STEP 7: Make the cream cheese frosting. While the brownies are cooling, make the cream cheese frosting. Add the butter and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or to a large bowl if using a hand mixer. Beat on high for 1-2 minutes, scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, then continue beating for 1-2 additional minutes or until no lumps remain. Add in the powdered sugar, milk (I recommend starting with 1 tablespoon and adding more if needed), and vanilla, mix on low speed until combined, then increase speed to high and beat for 2-3 minutes until pale and fluffy.

STEP 8: Frost the brownies. Once brownies are cooled, remove them from the pan, spread frosting over the top, then sprinkle with chocolate shavings if desired. Use a sharp knife to cut the brownies into either 9 or 16 squares, and enjoy!

Tips for Making these Easy Frosted Brownies

• Don't over bake the brownies as you want to ensure they're as moist as possible! If they look a bit soft when you remove them from the oven they'll continue to firm up while they cool.
• Let them cool at room temperature for the full hour as this helps make sure that the frosting won't melt when you decorate them. It also makes them much easier to remove from the pan and to cut.
• To achieve a perfectly creamy and silky cream cheese frosting you'll want to make sure that your cream cheese is softened and that you beat the butter and cream cheese together until no lumps remain before beating in the other ingredients. Also be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl with a spatula as the cream cheese tends to get stuck there.

FAQs

Does the melted butter need to be slightly cooled?
Yes, it's important to let the melted butter cool for a few minutes because you don't want it to cook the eggs and egg yolk.

Can I substitute the cream cheese frosting for something else?
If you don't like cream cheese or don't have any on hand, a regular buttercream would also be really good on these brownies, they will just be a bit richer!

When would you serve the brownies?
These brownies are such a fun and easy treat to make whenever you're in the mood for a sweet! They would also be perfect for a holiday party or for a Valentine's Day dessert.

Storing and Freezing

Unfrosted brownies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Once frosted, the brownies should be stored in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese frosting. If you plan on making this recipe a few days in advance I would recommend storing the brownies and frosting separately in the refrigerator, then frosting them when ready to serve.

These brownies can also be frozen in the freezer for up to 3 months then thawed in the refrigerator overnight.

If you make this recipe we would absolutely love if you left a star review and/or comment! Also, make sure to tag us on Instagram @doublethespoonfuls so we can see what you create.

📖 Recipe