In my younger years, I was a big fan of those little cookie shops in the mall. While others went for the giant cookies and even those double doozies, I was much more likely to go for the cheesecake brownies. It’s hard to say no to a combination of cheesecake and chocolate.
The title of this recipe from Martha Stewart brought back memories of those brownies. However, I feel certain that those brownies of my youth were not made with mascarpone cheese. That one ingredient turned the recipe into a must-bake.
Not surprisingly, these brownies were delicious. While you can certainly substitute cream cheese, I recommend using mascarpone if possible. And, of course, use good chocolate. If any of you make these using cream cheese, please let me know how they are.
We liked these brownies very much. The mascarpone makes them just a bit different than the usual cheesecake brownies. The brownie is delicious on its own, but topping it off with that cheesecake layer is very nearly perfect. Definitely better than any I’ve ever had in a mall.
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42 responses so far ↓
1 Amy // Jul 17, 2008 at 7:32 am
Yum! Two of my favorite things rolled into one.. cheesecake and brownies!
They look really moist and fudgy! Yum. I’m definitely printing this recipe out… but I think I’ll try it with the cream cheese.
2 gingela5 // Jul 17, 2008 at 9:12 am
They look good enough to eat! I love cheesecake and chocolate!
3 grace // Jul 17, 2008 at 10:15 am
if they offered something like this at my local mall, i’d never leave. perfection.
4 cindy // Jul 17, 2008 at 11:09 am
These look yummy! Not too many things make chcolate better but cream cheese comes close! Should you ever need a taster please remember me!!
5 Elle // Jul 17, 2008 at 11:51 am
So, do you ship? I sure could use some chocolate right about now.
6 Nicole // Jul 17, 2008 at 3:59 pm
These do look so good and better yet it has chocolate and cream cheese in it.YUM!
7 giz // Jul 17, 2008 at 8:14 pm
This is the kind of square that would have caught my attention in a flash too. The only problem is that when you eat it, it’s gone and then you want more.
8 Kat // Jul 17, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Every time your blog pops up in my Google Reader, I get homesick. Your photos are hunger pang inducing and the recipes are right there with them!
9 Kevin // Jul 17, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Brownies and cheesecake…mmm…
10 jennifer // Jul 17, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Amy, let me know how the cream cheese version works.
gingela5, so do I!
grace, me and you both.
Cindy, you’re on the list!
Elle, I wish I could send you some of these. Yum!
Thanks, Nicole!
giz, luckily it makes a great big pan full.
Thanks, Kat! How very sweet!
Kevin, that “mmm” sums it all up. That could have been my entire post.
11 SarahHub // Jul 18, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Those look like Heaven in a pan…
12 Nan (and Jim) // Jul 19, 2008 at 8:41 am
Way better than the “mall cookie!” This would be your grown-up, sophisticated brownie. Thanks for making these for us!!
13 Courtney Rhudy // Jul 19, 2008 at 9:59 am
Too bad you didn’t work yesterday, those look WONDERFUL! I think I might just try to make some myself this weekend
14 Constance // Jul 19, 2008 at 11:29 am
You’re my hero for baking in the summer. How can you bear turning on the oven in July? My flour and sugar containers collect dust from June to August and I can only be persuaded to bake if it’s a special occasion or birthday.
15 Tartelette // Jul 19, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Mascarpone must really put these over the top! They look absolutely wonderful!
16 Nick // Jul 20, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I’ve only once had a cheesecake brownie and loved it. I’ve never got around to making them although I really should! Perhaps a peanut butter cheesecake brownie…
The mascarpone cheese gives it a very different look, almost like more of a custard on top. I would probably try it with cream cheese, I’ll let you know if I do!
17 JEP // Jul 20, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Save one..or two…for me!
18 Patti // Jul 20, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Whoaaa these look great! Maybe make them a little more Italian (because there’s mascarpone in them
and stir in a little bit of espresso into the brownie batter. I might try this if I make them….
19 Emily // Jul 21, 2008 at 11:40 am
Oooh these look interesting! I’ve only ever made chocolate cheesecake brownies with cream-cheese before, so this certainly looks like something I’d try - is the top layer just cheese or is there somehting mixed in with it? The brownie layer underneath looks heavenly, I’m really craving a piece!!!
20 jennifer // Jul 21, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Thanks, SarahHub
Glad y’all liked them, Nan.
Courtney, hope you like them!
Constance, I am a big fan of air conditioning. That’s how things get baked in my house.
Thanks, Helen!
Nick, how did I know you’d want some peanut butter in these?
JEP, I’m sorry to say that they’re all gone!
Patti, I’m not a huge coffee flavor fan but I think you’re on to something. Let me know how that works if you try it.
Emily, click the recipe link. There’s sugar, eggs, and vanilla mixed with the mascarpone. Yum!
21 Elle // Jul 25, 2008 at 7:04 am
I will always go for the cheesecake brownies when given a choice. It’s like the best of both worlds, isn’t it? Fudgy brownie plus cheesecake–you can’t go wrong!
22 jennifer // Jul 25, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Elle, I agree!
23 kimberleyblue // Jul 25, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I love cheesecake brownies - this sounds like a perfect recipe!
24 Sara // Jul 26, 2008 at 12:08 am
Wow…just wow.
25 jennifer // Jul 26, 2008 at 4:29 pm
kimberleyblue, you should give them a try!
Sara, I couldn’t have said it better myself. So very good.
26 Dragon // Jul 27, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Martha rocks! These brownies look amazing.
27 RecipeGirl // Jul 28, 2008 at 8:43 am
I’m a fan of cheesecake layers on top of anything. Yet another brownie recipe I must try!
28 jennifer // Jul 28, 2008 at 9:48 am
Dragon, Martha does indeed rock!
RecipeGirl, let me know what you think if you try them.
29 snooky doodle // Jul 28, 2008 at 11:10 am
these look yummy. I m a chocoholic so anything with chocolate is great
great photos too.
30 Indigo // Jul 29, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh….
*nothing else to say*
31 jennifer // Jul 29, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Thanks, snooky doodle!
Indigo, I get your message!
32 Haley // Jul 30, 2008 at 1:28 pm
YUM! These look great! I tend to get bored with brownies, but this is a great way to make them exciting!
33 papouz12 // Jul 30, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Brownies are always good.
This recepie makes them move up a few notches
34 Meryl // Jul 31, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Those look scrumptious! I’d make some, but boy, would I be in so much trouble. I think I’ll wait till September, and then make them and bring them in to school first thing in the morning so the other teachers can pack it on too!
You’re photos are so beautiful, by the way.
35 The City Sage // Jul 31, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Oh my goodness. I’m salivating just looking at these pics! I especially love how the mascarpone turned a little golden on top…beautiful!
thanks for a great post, as usual!
36 jennifer // Aug 2, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Haley, I tend to gravitate toward dressed-up brownies. These definitely qualify.
papouz12, I agree.
Thanks, Meryl! These are certainly good for sharing.
Thanks, City Sage! That browning is inevitable, I suppose, but it adds some character.
37 the caked crusader // Aug 4, 2008 at 1:23 am
oh my! This recipe combines the two most delicious things on earth! Looks amazing….so hungry…..
38 jennifer // Aug 4, 2008 at 6:45 am
Thanks, caked crusader!
39 Sylvia // Aug 6, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Looks great, great combination .Mascarpone is a wonderful cheese for baking and also savory dishes, but I prefer in desserts. ha..never mind is my sweet tooth talking
40 jennifer // Aug 6, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Sylvia, I think all my teeth have turned into sweet ones.
41 Sam Sotiropoulos // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Uh oh… When I saw these puppies I knew I was in trouble… now having read your recipe and printed it off, I cannot escape making them! wow
42 jennifer // Aug 12, 2008 at 8:38 am
Sam, let me know how you like them!
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