Name: Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup raspberries (fresh or thawed frozen); 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature; ⅓ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend); ¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¾ + 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil or neutral oil; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 3 large eggs, room temperature

If you’re a fan of rich, indulgent desserts with a fruity twist, you’re going to adore this Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies Recipe. These heart-shaped treats blend dense chocolate brownie, creamy cheesecake, and tangy raspberry swirls for a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

The image shows four heart-shaped brownies placed on white parchment paper over a golden wire rack. Each brownie has two visible layers: a dark brown base layer with a smooth texture, and a creamy light beige top layer swirled with dark red raspberry patterns creating a marbled effect. Fresh raspberries are scattered around the brownies on the white marbled surface, and there is a white bowl filled with raspberries in the top right corner. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember making these for Valentine’s Day last year, and honestly, they stole the show. The moment you take a bite, you get that deep Dutch cocoa richness, smooth cheesecake, and bright raspberry flavor all dancing together. It’s every chocolate lover’s dream with a festive twist.

Perfect for Celebrations: The heart shape and raspberry swirl make these brownies ideal for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any special moment you want to sweeten up.
Decadent & Fruity: Combining creamy cheesecake with tart raspberry sauce adds dimension to the classic brownie experience.
Simple Steps, Impressive Results: Despite looking fancy, it’s a straightforward recipe anyone can master in about an hour of hands-on time.
Customizable Ingredients: Use fresh or frozen raspberries and swap oils to suit your pantry and preferences.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, grab fresh or frozen raspberries—both work beautifully for that vibrant sauce. Also, having your cream cheese and eggs at room temperature makes mixing the cheesecake layer so much smoother. Here’s a look at the key ingredients and why they’re essential for this recipe.

Flat lay of fresh red raspberries scattered naturally, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of smooth vanilla extract, a block of cream cheese with a clean-cut edge, three whole brown eggs with uncracked shells arranged neatly, a small white bowl filled with all-purpose flour, another small white bowl holding rich Dutch-process cocoa powder, a pinch of fine salt in a tiny white bowl, a small white bowl containing glossy refined coconut oil, all ingredients spaced symmetrically with perfect balance, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Raspberries: Fresh or thawed frozen raspberries provide a natural tartness and vibrant color for the sauce and raspberry swirl.
Granulated Sugar: Used in both the raspberry sauce and batter to balance tartness and add sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the raspberry sauce, cheesecake layer, and brownie batter.
Cream Cheese: The star of the cheesecake layer, its creamy texture contrasts perfectly with the fudgy brownie.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs help create structure and a velvety texture throughout the brownies and cheesecake.
All-Purpose Flour (or gluten-free blend): The base for your brownies, providing structure while remaining tender.
Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder: Gives the brownies a rich chocolate flavor and dark color, far superior to natural cocoa in this recipe.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness in the brownie batter.
Refined Coconut Oil or Neutral Oil: Keeps the brownies moist and tender without overpowering the chocolate.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to swap ingredients for dietary needs or add a seasonal twist, these brownies are a delicious canvas.

Gluten-Free Variation: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour. I’ve made these with almond flour before — just be sure to keep an eye on the batter consistency to avoid dryness.
Dairy-Free Version: Try replacing the cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative and use coconut oil as mentioned for a fully dairy-free treat. The raspberry swirl adds a fresh fruit punch that complements the change beautifully.
Seasonal Twists: Swap raspberries for blueberries or blackberries when in season. I love experimenting with mixed berries for a colorful, tangy swirl that keeps things interesting and tastes fantastic.
Extra Decadence: Stir in chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the brownie batter before baking for added texture and richness. Pecan pieces bring a nice crunch and pair so well with the chocolate and cheesecake layers.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies Recipe

The image shows two square brownies stacked on top of each other on a white marbled surface. Each brownie has three layers: a thick dark brown chocolate layer at the bottom, a creamy light yellow cheesecake layer in the middle with bits of red raspberry sauce swirling through it, and a top layer of cheesecake with more red raspberry swirls, forming a marbled pattern. In the background, there are more brownies and a small white bowl filled with fresh red raspberries. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Create Your Luscious Raspberry Sauce

Start by simmering 1 cup of fresh or thawed raspberries with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let it gently bubble and thicken for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once you have a beautifully thickened sauce, pour it through a fine sieve to remove the seeds—this gives you that silky smooth texture that swirls perfectly with the cheesecake layer. Set the sauce aside to cool while you prepare the rest.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Cheesecake Layer

In a mixing bowl, beat together 8 ounces of room-temperature cream cheese and ⅓ cup granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. Next, add 1 large room-temperature egg and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the mixture is creamy and perfectly combined—no lumps here! This cheesecake layer adds that irresistible richness that perfectly contrasts the deep cocoa flavors.

Step 3: Prepare Your Brownie Batter

Now, get your dry ingredients ready by whisking together 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend), ¾ cup sifted Dutch-process cocoa powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, mix ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil (or neutral oil), 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract until well combined. Add 3 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to build a luscious, rich batter. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into this wet mixture just until combined — be careful not to overmix to keep your brownies tender.

Step 4: Layer and Swirl for That Perfect Marbled Look

Line your baking pan with parchment paper and spread the rich brownie batter evenly across the bottom. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the top in dollops. Then, spoon dollops of the cooled raspberry sauce over the cheesecake layer. Using a skewer or a thin knife, gently swirl the layers together. The key here is gentle, controlled movements to create a beautiful marbled effect without blending everything completely.

Step 5: Bake and Chill for the Best Texture

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the assembled pan for 35 minutes. You'll know they're done when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter. Let the brownies cool completely at room temperature before transferring them to the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours—this step is essential for setting the cheesecake layer and stabilizing those beautiful swirls.

Step 6: Cut Into Lovingly Shaped Hearts and Serve

Once fully chilled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the brownies into 9 charming hearts. These look adorable for any special occasion—Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or just because! Serve them chilled or at room temperature and watch smiles light up the room with every bite.

Top Tip

These tips will help you get the most luscious, perfectly marbled Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies every time. Little tricks make all the difference!

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: I always make sure my cream cheese and eggs are at room temp before mixing. This keeps the cheesecake layer smooth without lumps.
Strain the Raspberry Sauce: After simmering, straining the sauce removes those pesky seeds and gives you a silky swirl that looks and tastes amazing.
Gentle Swirling is Key: When swirling the raspberry sauce into the cheesecake batter, use a skewer and a light hand. This keeps the pretty marbled pattern without blending the layers too much.
Chill Before Cutting: I learned the hard way that chilling the brownies for the full 2 hours is essential—this helps them hold their beautiful heart shape when cutting with a cookie cutter.

How to Serve Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies Recipe

A white bowl filled with thick, dark brown chocolate batter that has a rich, slightly textured surface with visible swirls from mixing, sitting on a white marbled background. The batter is evenly spread inside the bowl, with some chocolate smudges around the inner edge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a lovely finishing touch, dust your heart brownies lightly with powdered sugar or cocoa powder. Fresh raspberries or a sprig of mint on the side elevate them beautifully. You can also drizzle a little extra raspberry sauce on the plate for a pop of color and tang.

Side Dishes

Serve these rich brownies alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or some lightly whipped cream for a classic pairing. A cup of hot coffee or a delicate herbal tea, like chamomile or mint, complements the deep chocolate and tangy raspberry flavors perfectly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days this way—just make sure to keep them chilled to preserve the creamy texture.

Freezing

If you want to save them for longer, these brownies freeze beautifully. Wrap each heart tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

Reheating

Since these brownies are best served chilled or at room temperature, I recommend letting them come to room temp for about 20 minutes after removing from the fridge. If you prefer warm brownies, gently microwave a piece for 10–15 seconds—but be careful not to heat too long or the cheesecake may lose its silky texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen raspberries for the raspberry sauce?

Yes! Thawed frozen raspberries work perfectly for the sauce. Just make sure to drain any excess liquid before simmering so your sauce thickens nicely.

What if I don’t have Dutch-process cocoa powder?

You can substitute with natural unsweetened cocoa powder, but the flavor and color might be a bit different — Dutch-process gives that deeper, smoother chocolate profile.

Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. The texture will be just as delightful.

How do I prevent the cheesecake layer from cracking?

Using room-temperature cream cheese and eggs and avoiding overmixing helps prevent cracking. Also, the swirl technique softens edges that might crack when baking.

Final Thoughts

Making the Raspberry Cheesecake Heart Brownies Recipe is truly a labor of love, and the results are always worth the effort. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or just craving a special treat, these brownies bring that perfect balance of rich chocolate, tangy raspberry, and creamy cheesecake in every bite. Take your time with the process, follow the tips, and enjoy the smiles these sweet hearts inspire. Happy baking!