The sweet layers in this Coconut Cheesecake Brownies recipe will have you going back for more dessert in a hurry. Great treat for the chocolate and coconut lover in your life.
The post for coconut cream cheesecake brownies was first published in May 2011. The photos and post were updated and republished in May 2020.
Coconut Brownies
Brownies are something that I crave all the time. It doesn't matter how long I resist eating sugar; my craving for a gooey chocolate brownie never goes away. Don't try to tell me it will. I've gone weeks without eating sugar, and I still want it all.
Working out and eating right have been a bit of a hit or miss over the past few months. So, I've changed up my eating and added working out back into my routine over the past two weeks, as summer is almost here.
Then I made a pan of these homemade chocolate chip brownies for the boys in our house, and I stumbled. I took one bite, and then another, and then another, and before I knew it, two brownies had disappeared.
One or two brownies here and there are okay. Now, if I had eaten the whole pan, that would be a different story...
These brownies with coconut are one of my favorite recipes from many years ago. I was browsing through some old pictures on the blog, and I decided it was time to give the images a much-needed facelift.
It has been a while since I made this particular recipe, and holy cow! I knew they were good, but I had forgotten how good they were. These cheesecake brownies are fudgy, gooey, and absolutely amazing!!!
How to Make Coconut Cheesecake Brownies
The layers of brownies and coconut cheesecake are baked right on top of each other. As you can see, it's ok if the edges of the brownies bake up around the outside.
- Line a 9x13 pan with foil and spray it with nonstick spray. (full recipe at the bottom of post)
- Mix a brownie mix (for a 9x13-inch pan) with water, eggs, and oil. Spread the mixture in a prepared pan and set it aside.
- Beat the cream cheese, butter, and sweetened condensed milk until creamy.
- Add cornstarch, extracts, and egg, and beat again. Gently mix in the sweetened shredded coconut.
- Spoon or pour the cheesecake batter slowly over the top, making sure to cover all the brownie batter.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean from the brownie batter.
- Remove and let cool on a wire rack for one hour, then refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until thoroughly chilled.
- Heat the chocolate chips, butter, and heavy cream in the microwave. Stir until smooth and creamy, then spread it on top of the chilled cheesecake brownies.
Let's talk about cheesecake brownies for a minute. I receive comments all the time about how you either love them or are disappointed because your centers are "raw." If you baked the cheesecake brownies for 45-50 minutes, the batter is not raw.
Yes, it may be GOOEY where the cheesecake and brownie meet, but that does not mean it is raw. If you have an aversion to gooey, delicious food, you can bake the brownie layer for 15-20 minutes first, then add the cheesecake layer and bake an additional 30 minutes.
Tips and Tricks
- Ovens all bake differently. Some ovens operate at a cooler temperature, while others operate at a hotter temperature. This will affect the end product. Using an oven thermometer can help you understand how your oven operates.
- The type of pan you use can affect how things bake. Glass and dark metal pans typically take a little longer to bake.
- Make sure you use the size pan that the recipe calls for. Smaller pans require extra time, while larger pans need less time.
- When testing the brownies with a toothpick or knife, ensure there are crumbs on it. If you don't get any crumbs, the brownies are likely overbaked.
- Brownies will continue to bake in the pan as they sit on a cooling rack.
- Allow the cheesecake brownies to cool and set completely.
- Elevation and weather can/will play a part in how a recipe bakes.
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Cheesecake Brownie Recipes
- Cherry Cheesecake Brownies
- Ultimate Reese's Cheesecake Brownies
- Take 5 Cheesecake Brownies
- Cake Batter Cheesecake Brownies
- Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies
- Brownie Swirled Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
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Recipe
Coconut Cheesecake Brownies
The sweet layers in this Coconut Cheesecake Brownies recipe will have you going back for more dessert in a hurry. Great treat for the chocolate and coconut lover in your life.
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 9x13 box brownie mix
- ¼ cup water
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
For the Cheesecake
- 8 ounce package cream cheese
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon coconut extract
- ½ teaspoon rum extract
- 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
For the Topping
- ¼ cup whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 pan with foil and spray it with nonstick spray.
- Mix brownie mix, oil, water, and eggs until combined. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and set aside. (see note below)
- Beat the cream cheese, butter, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and creamy.
- Add cornstarch, extracts, and egg, and beat until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the coconut gently.
- Spoon the cheesecake batter on top of the brownie batter, ensuring it covers all of the brownie batter.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for one hour, then refrigerate 3-4 hours until thoroughly chilled.
- Place the chocolate chips, butter, and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat 45 seconds. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
- Spread the melted chocolate over the top of the chilled brownies. Refrigerate until set.
Notes
*If you are opposed to slightly gooey brownies, bake the brownie layer for 15-20 minutes, then add the cheesecake layer and bake an additional 30 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 260Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 93mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
(original photo from May 2011)
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Mary
I made these brownies used my from scratch brownie recipe always add a cup of semi chocolate chips to the batter they turned out great the cream cheese coconut top added an extra flavour then the icing. certainly would recommend this recipe
Sharon
These sound delicious but I have a question. Why line the pan with aluminum foil?
Jocelyn
You don't have too. I like to line it with foil, so I can lift the whole thing out of the pan and make really clean cuts with a big knife. It's really optional. As long as you spray the pan with nonstick baking spray, you should be fine.
Sinea
Jocelyn, these brownies look soooooo yummy! I love cheesecake and brownies together and coconut too. Perfection!
I, too, am taking some of my good recipes from years ago and are giving them a fresh new look for republishing. We've learned a lot since the early days and it is a shame to have our readers not see these great dishes looking their very best!
♥ Sinea
Lee Na
Hi I love the sound of this recipie and cant wait to try it out! I see that the recipie calls for 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)
But I dont see it in the directions. Where do I use the condensed milk? Also can I use shredded unsweetened coconut???
Lee Na
Oh whoops i just realized it is there but just says milk 🙂 sorry
Jocelyn
Sorry I just didn't write condensed in the directions. Glad you caught it! Yes, you can use unsweetened coconut too. I hope you like the brownies.
Sandy_of_WV
Need to ADD "cream" to the ingredient list after "whipping" ... 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Whoops. Thank you so much for letting me know. I fixed the recipe. 🙂
E. Wendt
At what temperature do you bake them?
Jocelyn
Whoops 🙂 Good catch!! It bakes at 350 degrees. I fixed the recipe to show that!! I hope you enjoy them!
Jenn Erickson
"Puffy Heart" -- new favorite saying!
Also, this recipe is my new favorite! It's so many of my favorite things combined into one!
Jenn
Deb
MMMMM....looks delish..all my favorites! I will be making these tonight, love the combination of cream cheese & coconut! Found you on Heck Friday's Link party...new follower!
Jen
These look absolutely sinful!!I love coconut, cream cheese and chocolate! 🙂 I am follower 1600! :)Cheers!Jen
Joi Malkin
These look absolutely delicious! I would love it if you could post them on our first link party at Heck Fridays tomorrow (Thursday)!
Kim B.
I LOVE coconut & everything else in this recipe 🙂 Can't WAIT to try them...YUM!! Thanks for sharing!!
Amber Zimmerman
Be still my heart. . .coconut and brownie and cream cheese in the same dessert? Heaven! You've tried the coconut mochas from Starbucks, right? Mmmmmmm Srsly friend, how are you not 300 lbs? Lol. Always tempting me with these desserts.