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The pretzel crust in these Cheesecake Brownies gives an added dimension to the rich chocolate flavor and creamy cheesecake. Every bite is a delight!
Featured with this Recipe
Pretzel Crust Cheesecake Brownies
I have one daughter who loves pretzels, another daughter who loves cheesecake, and a husband who loves brownies. So I decided to get a little creative! Luckily these pretzel crust cheesecake brownies tasted amazing and everyone was happy!
Sweet and Salty
There are so many things to love about these cheesecake brownies, one of them is the combination of sweet and salty. Some cheesecakes, and some brownies for that matter, are delicious, but can almost go overboard on the sweet. Even for people with a high sugar tolerance. Adding the salty crunch of the pretzel crust to this combination gives it just enough variety to mix things up. As amazing as it sounds, the salt in the recipe actually enhances the sweet flavor, so there’s even more to love. This homemade brownie recipe is so much better than any boxed brownie mix or store-bought cheesecake.
Ingredients in Cheesecake Brownies
Pretty much every ingredient that makes a fabulous dessert in this baked goodness is found in these fudgy brownies!
- Pretzels
- Granulated Sugar
- Unsalted Butter
- Chocolate chips
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- All Purpose Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Cream cheese
- Vanilla Extract
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, these brownies should be stored in the fridge, not at room temperature. They will last longer if stored in an airtight container rather than the original baking dish or plastic wrap.
If you prefer you could top it with walnuts, pecans, or any other salty topping to add that extra flavor.
The best way to go about it is after adding the first brownie layer, pour the cream cheese mixture over it and the remaining brownie batter on top of that. Then using a small spoon or toothpick, lightly stir the swirling patterns into the brownies.
Yes, definitely. Lining with parchment paper makes for easy clean up.
Yes, just be careful not to over mix. Keep it at medium speed just until mixed through.
Read Next: 33+ Easy Dessert Ideas
More Pretzel Recipes To Love
If you’re one who loves the unique flavor of pretzels — and everything that flavor can add to a recipe, you will definitely want to try some of these great recipes.
- Homemade Soft Pretzels give you that chewy, delicious flavor for the perfect snack or appetizer.
- Dipped Caramel Pretzel Bites are another great way to get that salty mixed with sweet. But be warned: these are addicting. You may not be able to stop eating them.
- Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad combines crunchy pretzels, smooth cream cheese and sweet strawberries. Its more like dessert than a salad.
- Belly Button M&M Pretzel Kisses are darling to look at, and even better to eat! Plus they are so easy to make!
How To Make Cheesecake Brownies
Cheesecake Brownies
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 cups pretzels crushed
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup butter melted
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Brownie:
- 3/4 cup butter melted
- 1 2/3 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
Cheesecake layer:
- 12 ounces cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together crushed pretzels, sugar and melted butter in a bowl until combined.
- Press firmly into a 9×13 pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 6 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Reduce heat to 350 degrees.
- Brownie: Mix sugar and butter until thoroughly combined. Add water, eggs and vanilla. Sift together flour and cocoa powder. Slowly add to wet ingredients until just combined.
- Cheesecake: Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and eggs.
- Carefully spread half of brownie mixture evenly over pretzel crust. Pour cheesecake on top of brownie mixture. Spread remaining half of the brownie mixture over cheesecake layer.
- Cook 35-40 min. or until toothpick comes out clean.
Is is 2 cups of pretzels that you then crush or do you crush enough pretzels to make 2 cups of crushed pretzels?
You crush enough pretzels to make 2 cups of crushed pretzels!
Do these need to be refrigerated? My crust was also very runny, so I just added more pretzels. Worked ok.
I usually refrigerate them but I’m sure if they weren’t refrigerated for a couple hours they would be ok. Hope this helps!
How do you crush up your pretzels? It’s taking me forever
The easiest way is in a food processor. But I will also put it in a ziplock bag, press out the air, and roll over it with a rolling pin.
I just made these last night, I baked them longer than it said. They got rave reviews from family. May have baked a little too long, crust got a little crunchy but still tasted great. Very rich.
Yes, they are rich – but so good! We’re so happy your family liked them!
Hi! I just mixed up the crust – 2 cups crushed pretzels, sugar and 1 cup melted butter and came up with a VERY loose mixture, nothing that I can press into a pan! Are these measurements correct? Thanks.
I’m not sure- You may need to crush the pretzels more finely, or add more butter.
This was amazing, made it for someon in my office, everyone went nuts for it. I loved the pretzal crust, do you think it would work well for a choclate tart? I would love tomake this my go to crust, the salt and sweet is perfection for me:)
Really Good!! My husband made these for an Elder’s Quorum dessert competition and got first place. They are the perfect combination of sweet and salty.
Awesome! Glad everyone liked them! Tell your husband congratulations from us!!!
These look yummy. I love brownies and I’m always looking for ways to spice them up.