Brownie Based Cheesecake with a brownie cheesecake layer, strawberry puree and topped with huge chocolate curls and fresh strawberries. Whew, that’s a mouthful – in more ways than one.
I had a serious love affair with this cheesecake and I think I’m hooked on the idea of a brownie base. Don’t get me wrong, graham cracker crust is wonderful, too, but this thick fudgy layer just added so much to it.
I was really stuck on what to make with my seven pounds of strawberries. In the world of blogging, strawberry posts are a bit past their prime. June is Strawberry Shortcake month and those recipes are all over the internet. I was in a bit of funk trying to figure out what it was I wanted to make.
I was looking up Strawberry Cheesecake, but they all appeared to me no-bake versions or just had a slight swirl added to the top. I wanted strawberries all the way though it. I’m guessing that the added moisture to the cheesecake makes it difficult to cook… I don’t know. If you know of a good traditional Strawberry Cheesecake recipe, please let me know.
Since I couldn’t find what I wanted, I had to turn to other ideas. Brownies are always good! So, So I decided to bake the brownies in the pan first, then add the cheesecake to the it.
I was a bit nervous about adding the strawberry puree. I didn’t know what that was gonna do, but it worked out great and gave the cheesecake a little extra flavor without overpowering it.
It was a totally indulgent mid-day snack!
I actually had to bribe three girls with it to leave me alone while I took my photographs. They wanted to go to the pool and I wanted to get the photos done! It was quite an ordeal. They just didn’t get it.
I know you totally get it! A mother’s work is never done.
Also, before you ask about the curls, here’s a previous post I made with them with a video on how to make them. They may look a bit intimidating and you might find it frustrating the first time you make them, but temperature is key and patience is required.
- 2 cups Chocolate Chips
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) Butter
- ¾ cup Brown Sugar
- ¾ cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 8oz packages Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Sugar
- 4 eggs
- 3 teaspoons Vanilla
- 10 Strawberries, pureed
- Chocolate Curls and Strawberries for Garnish
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Prepare a 9" Springform pan with foil tightly wrapped around the outside. Then spray with Pam with Flour.
- Melt chocolate chips and butter in a medium pot over low heat. Stir until all melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Add in both sugars and stir until combined. Mixture will be grainy. Stir for 5 minutes allowing it to cool slightly.
- Stir in eggs one at a time.
- Mix in flour, vanilla and salt. Reserve ¾ cups and bake remainder for 30 minutes.
- Allow to cool while preparing the cheesecake layer.
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth with a paddle attachment. Add the sugar, eggs, and vanilla on slow speed. Add ⅓ cup of the cream cheese to the reserved brownie batter and stir.
- Pour half the cheesecake onto the brownie layer and smooth. Add half the brownie mixture over then add the pureed strawberries. Do not mix. It will thin out.
- Add the remaining cream cheese mixture and then spoon the brownie mix over and swirl with a knife.
- Make sure the foil is still secure around the pan. Place the pan into a baking dish and add an inch of water. Place into the oven and bake for 90 minutes. The surface should no longer be shiny and will have a slight giggle.
- Let the cheesecake cool for one hour and place in the fridge overnight to firm up.
- Make your chocolate curls and add then when your are ready to serve.
This not only looks beautiful, but delicious as well. This would be great for a party! Visiting from Mandy’s Recipe Box, and definitely pinning this recipe!
Thanks so much. I worked hard on making it beautiful and delicious!
I pinned this! It’s making me hungry. Saw this at cook it craft it share it. Yummy!
Thanks for the pin and stopping by!
my fiance’ traditionally bakes a cake of choice to everyone in our family / company for their birthday. Our daughter was trying to decide between chocolate and strawberry cheesecake! I think you might have just solved her issue. Thanks!
It was a great combination. The brownie base was thick and dense, but added so much flavor. And the strawberry puree was just enough to give it some flavor without overpowering the chocolate. I loved it! I hope you enjoy it as well!
Holy crap Karyn! That’s all. Just wow!
haha! Thanks Julie! Yes, there was a definite WOW when I removed it from the pan. I’m always impressing myself!
Oh my, Karyn! You totally outdid yourself with this!! Pinning and drooling! 😉
Thanks Jamie! Goal met!
I should have known when I saw something so pretty in the link party it had to be yours! How do you bake all this and not gain 100 lbs? LOL, Have a great week and thanks for linking up Karyn!
It’s a serious battle! My workouts have taken a aback seat for the past 6 months and it’s showing. I NEED to get back out there and exercise! Oh, I also give away and throw out a lot of desserts Thanks for stopping by!
Before I jump in on this one. Why the foil ?
The foil around the base of the pan prevents water from leaking into your pan. It’s happened to me before because there was a tear in the foil. It didn’t ruin the cheesecake, but it was a bit more dense and wet at the base. I hope that helps.
What a gorgeous cheesecake! It looks so delicious … can’t wait to try it:)
Absolutely gorgeous! Definitely a party in your mouth! =)
This looks divine!!
Thanks! It was
Looks beautiful and sounds amazing! Definitely trying this. Thanks for sharing!
hooooly. cheesecake! that is all.
Doesn’t double-baking the brownie makecitvtoo hard? Couldn’t all the layers be baked at once, or just par-bake the brownie?
I don’t know… The first layer was 90% baked before I added the cream cheese layers. I guess it’s to prevent it from blending. And no, the brownies were just fine being baked twice.
WOW! This cheesecake looks incredible! Two of my favourite things – brownie and cheesecake!
Wow! Thank you. I love recipes that are completely from scratch. Thank you! Three of my favorites, brownies, cheesecake & strawberries! Hooray!
I like recipes from scratch as well. They can be a bit more challenging, but they taste so much better!
Someone pinch me!! I am in love with this cheesecake!
Do the brownies cook for 2 hours?
Yes, they will “cook” for two hours, but they were super moist and delicious. Don’t worry, they will be fine!
Wow, this looks absolutely beautiful! It caught my eye on foodgawker this morning Glad I found your blog!
Great! Thanks so much for stopping by.
The foil doesn’t line the inside of pan but rather goes around the outside and up the sides right? Just checking before making this amazingness
Yes, up and over the sides to make a sort of sling for the brownies. Use it to lift the brownies out of the pan and then it’s easier to cut them.