Skip to main content

Fudgy Gluten-Free Cream Cheese Brownies

4.5

(22)

Squares of fudgy glutenfree cream cheese brownies.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

Everyone’s favorite bake sale treat goes gluten-free without any hard-to-find ingredients or alternative flours, just cornstarch and cocoa powder. Instant coffee or espresso powder deepens the chocolate flavor of this ultra-fudgy brownie.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 hour, plus cooling

  • Yield

    Makes 16 bars

Ingredients

For the cream cheese swirl:

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the brownies:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for pan
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon instant coffee or espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
9 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs, room temperature

Special Equipment

An 8x8x2" baking pan

Preparation

  1. Make the cream cheese swirl:

    Step 1

    Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.

  2. Make the brownies:

    Step 2

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter baking pan and line with 2 overlapping layers of parchment, leaving a 2" overhang on all sides. Butter parchment.

    Step 3

    Whisk cornstarch, cocoa powder, coffee, and salt in a small bowl.

    Step 4

    Combine chocolate and 6 Tbsp. butter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally, until butter and chocolate are melted and smooth. Remove from heat, then stir in sugar and vanilla. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, then whisk in cornstarch mixture until smooth, about 1 minute.

    Step 5

    Transfer batter to prepared pan. Dollop cream cheese mixture over batter, then swirl into batter with a knife or spatula.

    Step 6

    Bake brownies until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool completely. Using parchment overhang, transfer brownies to a cutting board. Cut into 4 pieces lengthwise, then 4 pieces crosswise to make 16 bars.

  3. Do Ahead

    Step 7

    Brownies can be made 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Make these cookies for an after-school snack, midday treat, or gift for friends and neighbors.
These brownies feature a delightful combo of warm spices, black tea, and strong coffee.
These soft butter cookies are made with mooncake molds, reminiscent of block print stamps from Jaipur.
With the sweet and nutty flavor of ube, these cookies taste like they’ve been dunked into a glass of milk.
Yes, brownies can—and should—be made with white chocolate.
Consider every birthday cake, brownie, and cupcake covered (in this frosting, that is).
A plant-based take on a retro Southern dessert.
Need an elegant dinner party dessert? A quick tea cake? A vacation birthday bake? This chocolaty wonder fits every bill.