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    Salted Plains » Recipes » Cookies & Bars

    Cream Cheese Brownies (Gluten-Free)

    Published: Apr 15, 2021 by Tessa · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Cream Cheese Brownies recipe is full of rich chocolate flavor, fudgy centers, and a swirl on top. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan.

    brownies with white swirls

    Brownies are for all occasions. Celebrations, just because, and everything in between.

    It seems there is never a time that making brownies isn't a good idea. So, here's a brownie recipe that combines a swirl of dairy-free cream cheese with fudgy, rich, chocolate.

    fresh baked brownies on parchment paper

    Ingredients for Vegan Gluten-Free Brownies

    A brownie is a brownie, but we can certainly use better ingredients and achieve delicious results. Here are the ingredients you will need:

    • Unsweetened applesauce
    • Almond butter
    • Maple syrup
    • Almond flour
    • Arrowroot starch
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder
    • Organic cane sugar
    • Vanilla extract

    sliced brownies with white swirls

    What type of dairy-free cream cheese should I use in this recipe? Any dairy-free cream cheese will work fine. This recipe used Kite Hill's almond based cream cheese. Here are some dairy-free, plant-based cream cheese options:

    • Kite Hill - uses an almond milk base.
    • Daiya Plain Cream Cheeze Style Spread - uses a coconut base
    • Tofutti Imitation Cream Cheese - tofu based
    • Miyoko's Organic Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese - cashew and coconut based
    • Violife Just Like Cream Cheese - uses a coconut oil and potato starch

    cream cheese brownies on parchment paper

    Making Cream Cheese Brownies from Scratch

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. 
    2. Make a slurry with the arrowroot starch. 
    3. Whisk applesauce, almond butter, and maple syrup in a medium bowl to combine. Then add arrowroot slurry and vanilla.
    4. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. 
    5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and gently fold them in. 
    6. Transfer batter to lined pan and prepare cream cheese swirl ingredients.
    7. Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture over the top of batter.
    8. Using a skewer, chopstick, or knife, draw it through the batter in straight horizontal lines followed by vertical lines.
    9. Bake for 38-42 minutes or until the center is just set. 
    10. Allow brownies to cool completely before slicing into squares.
    11. Serve!

    Due to the applesauce in this recipe, these gluten-free and dairy-free brownies will need a little longer cook time than normal. To keep the cream cheese swirl from browning, loosely tent with foil at the 25 minute mark.

    Swirl it! Skewers, chopsticks, and knives all make great tools for getting an even swirl pattern. 

    chocolate brownie square on parchment paper

    More Gluten-Free Brownie Recipes

    Raspberry Truffle Brownies

    Easy Sweet Potato Brownies

    Gluten-Free Trail Mix Brownies

    Gluten-Free Brownies

    Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

    cream cheese swirl brownies on parchment paper

    Cream Cheese Brownies

    This Cream Cheese Brownies recipe is full of rich chocolate flavor, fudgy centers, and a swirl on top. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 192kcal
    Author: Tessa

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons (13g) arrowroot starch + 5 tablespoons water
    • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
    • 1 cup (238g) almond butter well stirred
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup (55g) organic cane sugar
    • 1 cup (93g) almond flour
    • 4 tablespoons (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¾ teaspoon baking powder

    Cream Cheese Swirl

    • 4 oz dairy-free cream cheese
    • 1 ½ tablespoons (16g) organic cane sugar
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine arrowroot starch and cold water. Stir to combine and set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, combine applesauce, almond butter, and maple syrup. Whisk to combine. Add the arrowroot slurry and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the organic cane sugar, almond flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
    • Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently fold them in until evenly combined.
    • Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer with a spatula.
    • In a small bowl, stir together cream cheese swirl ingredients. Drop tablespoons of cream cheese mixture on top of brownie batter. Using a skewer, chopstick, or knife, draw it through the batter in straight horizontal lines followed by vertical lines.
    • Bake for 38-42 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Loosely tent with foil at the 25 minute mark to avoid browning the cream cheese swirls.
    • Allow brownies to cool in pan completely on wire rack before removing from pan and slicing into squares.
    • Store cream cheese brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SaltedPlains or tag #saltedplains!
    brownie squares on parchment paper
    « Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim

      October 10, 2021 at 9:32 pm

      5 stars
      So good!!

      Reply
      • Tessa

        October 11, 2021 at 10:25 am

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    2. Noelle

      April 16, 2021 at 11:19 am

      Can I substitute the almond butter for peanut butter?

      Reply
      • Tessa

        April 16, 2021 at 3:04 pm

        Yes! That will work just fine. The flavor will be different, but not in a bad way! :)

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tessa! I create gluten-free, real food recipes that are approachable and delicious.

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