Cherry Cheesecake Brownies are an irresistible three-layer dessert featuring a fudgy chocolate brownie base, a smooth creamy cheesecake layer, and a luscious cherry pie filling topping. This recipe blends the richness of chocolate with the tangy sweetness of cheesecake and bright, glossy cherries, creating a decadent bite that’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, romantic desserts, or anytime indulgence. With simple ingredients and a straightforward method, these brownies deliver bakery-style results with minimal effort, making them an ideal treat for both beginner and experienced bakers looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert bar.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These bars offer the perfect balance of flavors and textures—deep chocolate richness, velvety cheesecake creaminess, and juicy cherry sweetness. They look stunning on a dessert table yet require no complicated techniques. The brownie base stays moist and fudgy, while the cheesecake bakes into a beautifully smooth layer that supports the vibrant cherry topping. They slice cleanly, chill well, and taste even better the next day. Whether you need a holiday dessert, a potluck dish, or a special treat for family night, these brownies will always be a hit.

Cherry Cheesecake Brownies

Cherry Cheesecake Brownies combine three beloved desserts—cheesecake, brownies, and cherry pie—into one show-stopping treat that always delights a crowd. This dessert begins with a rich and dense brownie layer that provides a deep chocolate foundation. The brownie is flavored with cocoa powder, melted chocolate chips, and vanilla, creating a bold chocolate taste that pairs perfectly with the cream cheese topping. Its fudgy texture contrasts beautifully with the silky cheesecake layer above it, creating a multi-textured bite that feels indulgent from the first forkful.

The cheesecake layer is luxuriously smooth and lightly sweetened, offering a creamy richness that balances the intensity of the chocolate underneath. Made with softened reduced-fat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and an egg, it bakes into a pristine, velvety blanket that adds elegance and depth to each brownie square. Because the cheesecake layer is not overly sweet, it creates the perfect backdrop for the bright cherry topping that finishes the dessert.

The final layer, cherry pie filling, adds vibrant color and juicy fruit flavor that makes these brownies visually stunning and incredibly flavorful. The cherries introduce a refreshing tartness that lifts the richness of the dessert, ensuring each bite feels balanced and never overwhelming. When spooned generously over the cooled cheesecake, the glossy cherries create a dramatic presentation that looks festive for holidays yet comforting enough for everyday cravings.

What makes these Cherry Cheesecake Brownies especially appealing is how simple they are to prepare. Each layer comes together quickly, and because they bake in a single pan, cleanup stays minimal. The recipe uses pantry staples and canned cherry pie filling, so you can create a luxurious dessert without needing fresh fruit or complicated techniques. The step-by-step process is straightforward, making it accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Another benefit of this recipe is how well the brownies hold up when chilled. In fact, they taste even better after refrigerating, as the flavors meld and the layers firm up into perfect, clean slices. This makes them excellent for make-ahead baking, whether you’re planning a holiday dinner, a party, or simply want a dessert ready in the fridge for the week.

The combination of chocolate, cheesecake, and cherries creates a nostalgic flavor profile reminiscent of classic diner sundaes and old-fashioned desserts. Yet the layered presentation adds modern charm, making these brownies ideal for gifting, photographing, or showcasing on a dessert buffet. They offer the comfort of home-baked brownies with the sophistication of a layered cheesecake bar.

These brownies also lend themselves to endless customization. You can switch up the fruit topping, add almond extract for a cherry-almond twist, or drizzle chocolate over the finished bars for even more decadence. Whether enjoyed cold from the fridge or slightly softened at room temperature, they deliver a luxurious dessert experience that never disappoints.

Above all, Cherry Cheesecake Brownies bring together familiar flavors in a way that feels both cozy and elevated. Every layer contributes something special: fudge, creaminess, and bright fruit. It’s this harmonious blend that makes the dessert irresistible, memorable, and worthy of becoming a signature recipe in your holiday or year-round baking rotation.

Servings & Time

Servings: 9–12 brownies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Cooling & Chilling Time: 1 hour 30 minutes or more
Total Time: ~2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

Brownie Layer

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup canola oil

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided

Cheesecake Layer

• 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, room temperature

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• Pinch of salt

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 large egg, room temperature

Topping

• 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling

Instructions

1. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with foil and coat with nonstick spray; preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Whisk all dry brownie ingredients in a large bowl.

3. Add eggs, oil, and vanilla; stir until well combined.

4. Melt 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips and mix into the batter.

5. Stir in the remaining chocolate chips and pour brownie batter into the pan.

6. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.

7. Add sugar, salt, and vanilla; beat 1–2 minutes until no lumps remain.

8. Pour cheesecake mixture evenly over the brownie layer.

9. Bake 45 minutes or until cheesecake appears set; cool completely on a wire rack.

10. Spoon cherry pie filling over the cooled cheesecake and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Tips

Ingredient Substitutions

• Replace cherry pie filling with blueberry, raspberry, or strawberry topping.

• Use full-fat cream cheese for an even richer cheesecake layer.

• Swap canola oil with melted butter for deeper flavor.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Bake the brownies a day ahead and add cherry topping right before serving.

• Store tightly covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.

• These brownies freeze well without cherry topping.

Serving Variations

• Add a drizzle of melted chocolate over the cherry topping.

• Serve chilled with whipped cream for a dessert-plate presentation.

• Add almond extract to the cheesecake layer for a cherry-almond twist.

Avoid Mistakes

• Don’t overmix the cheesecake batter—this helps avoid cracks.

• Ensure brownies are fully cooled before adding cherry topping.

• Bake until the cheesecake looks just set; overbaking can dry it out.