Gather your friends and family for a Friendsgiving celebration that’s as delightful as it is delicious with these Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies. Fusing the richness of creamy cheesecake with the festive flavors of cranberry and orange, these irresistible treats are the perfect sweet-and-savory mashup to grace your holiday table.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies for Friendsgiving
These Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies are the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert that’s sure to wow your guests. Blending the comforting, fudgy goodness of brownies with the tangy-sweet tang of cranberry and the bright, zesty notes of orange, they offer a delightful play of flavors and textures that will have everyone coming back for more. Plus, they’re the perfect make-ahead option to simplify your Friendsgiving prep, so you can focus on creating a memorable gathering with your loved ones.
Ingredients
The key ingredients for these Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies include chocolate, cream cheese, cranberries, orange zest, and a few pantry staples. The combination of these flavors and textures creates a truly indulgent and unique dessert.
- 12 ounces – Semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup – Unsalted butter, cubed
- 24 ounces – Cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup – Granulated sugar
- 3 – Large eggs
- 1 cup – Fresh cranberries, halved
- 2 tablespoons – Orange zest
Ingredient Substitutions
- Fresh cranberries: Frozen or dried cranberries (they’ll provide a similar tangy-sweet flavor)
- Orange zest: Orange juice or extract (for the citrus note)
How to Make Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies for Friendsgiving
Follow these simple steps to create the ultimate Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies for your Friendsgiving celebration.
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a double boiler or microwave, stirring frequently until smooth. Set the chocolate mixture aside to cool slightly. In a separate large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and eggs using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Add the melted chocolate mixture to the cream cheese batter and stir until well combined. Gently fold in the fresh cranberries and orange zest. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Bake the Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is just set with a slight jiggle. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Serve and enjoy the perfect balance of fudgy, creamy, and tangy-sweet flavors.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Deeper Chocolate Flavor: Use a combination of semisweet and unsweetened chocolate for a richer, more intense chocolate taste.
- Texture and Garnish: Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, or a drizzle of white chocolate for extra crunch and visual appeal.
- Festive Finishing Touches: Top the cooled brownies with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a beautiful holiday presentation.
- Customize with Mix-Ins: Feel free to experiment with other mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate, or a swirl of caramel or dulce de leche.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
Storage: Store the Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Bring the brownies to room temperature before serving, or warm them briefly in the microwave or oven.
Make-Ahead: These brownies are the perfect make-ahead dessert for your Friendsgiving celebration. Prepare them up to 5 days in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
These Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies are a decadent treat, but they also provide a burst of vitamin C from the cranberries and orange zest. Each serving contains a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to satisfy your sweet tooth and fuel your body.
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 324 kcal
- Protein: 5 g
- Carbs: 34 g
- Fat: 21 g
- Sodium: 131 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned or frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute canned or frozen cranberries for the fresh ones in this recipe. The flavor may be slightly different, but the overall result will still be delicious.
Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies are the perfect make-ahead dessert for your Friendsgiving celebration. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
How do I know when the brownies are done baking?
The brownies are done when the center is just set, with a slight jiggle in the middle. Be careful not to overbake, as you want the center to remain rich and fudgy.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to the brownies?
Yes, you can easily customize these brownies by adding chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, or even a drizzle of white chocolate for extra flavor and texture.
How do I get clean, straight edges when cutting the brownies?
For the cleanest, sharpest cuts, let the brownies cool completely before slicing. You can also use a hot, sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut for the best results.
Try These Next
- Cranberry Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars For Thanksgiving
- Cranberry Glazed Chicken With Rosemary Butter
- Stuffed Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins For Holiday Parties
Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Brownies for Friendsgiving
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: 🍰 Sweet & Savory Mashups
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These rich and fudgy brownies are topped with a creamy orange cheesecake layer and tart cranberry sauce, making them the perfect dessert for Friendsgiving celebrations!
Ingredients
– 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 2 cups granulated sugar
– 4 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 cup cocoa powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1/2 cup powdered sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 tablespoon orange zest
– 1/4 cup orange juice
– 1 cup cranberry sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
1.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, mix melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined.
4. Add in eggs one at a time and stir in vanilla extract.
5. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt, then fold into the wet ingredients until just combined.
6. Pour half of the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
7. In another bowl, beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
8. Add in one egg, orange zest, and orange juice; mix until fully incorporated.
9. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the brownie layer.
10. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining brownie batter over the cheesecake layer, then swirl gently with a knife.
11. Top with cranberry sauce, spreading it evenly over the top.
12. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
13. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.
14.
Notes
For an extra touch, sprinkle some chopped walnuts or pecans on top before baking.
These brownies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: brownies, cheesecake, cranberry, orange, dessert