So Many Brownie Mixes, So Little Time

• Because you don’t actually mix the cream cheese into the brownie batter, you can make cream cheese brownies using any kind of brownie mix that does not include a syrup pouch. If you’ve ever enjoyed a cheesecake with a drizzle of caramel on top, make cream cheese brownies using a brownie mix that includes a packet of caramel to be squeezed on top of the batter. The texture of baked cream cheese complements the crunch of nuts, so consider a brownie mix that features walnuts or pecans. Cream cheese can tone down the sugary sweetness of brownie mixes that feature peanut butter.

Plain Cream Cheese Works Magic

• Most cream cheese brownie recipes call for an old-fashioned block of cream cheese. Whipped or spreadable cream cheese may not hold up to the heat of the oven, and could melt into a syrupy mess instead of forming a firm, creamy layer. You can also use cheesecake filling, which is usually stocked next to the rest of the cream cheese, without adding additional ingredients. Simply spoon it onto the brownie batter, swirl and bake.

Cream Cheese Brownie Basics

• Follow the brownie mix instructions to prepare the batter and pour it into a greased and floured 13-by-9-inch pan. Beat cream cheese and sugar with a mixer until the mixture is smooth. Add a dash of vanilla and an egg, mixing until well-blended. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the batter, leaving at least 1 inch between dollops. Gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter with a knife to produce a marbled effect. Don’t swirl the knife through the same dollop more than once, or you may produce a muddied layer of cream cheese. Follow the brownie mix instructions to bake the brownies, taking them out of the oven when the cream cheese layer is a light golden brown.

Adding Bling to Brownies

• Spread a handful of chocolate chips, walnuts or pecans over the swirled cream cheese mixture just before baking for additional color and flavor. Mix a pinch of espresso powder or instant espresso into the cream cheese topping to add a hint of mocha to your dessert. Instead of dropping the cream cheese mixture onto the batter by the spoonful, pipe it on using a pastry bag to make stripes or other simple shapes.