If you want to see a normally placid French person go into a crazed frenzy, you don't need to watch their reaction to me mercilessly butcher their language.
One just needs to utter a single word—cheesecake.
I've never met a French person whose face didn't soften and melt at the mere utterance of the word, and le cheesecake is always spoken of with a reverence normally reserved for the finest cheeses and most exclusive wines.
Although can you find Philadelphia cream cheese here at various outlets in Paris, when you do find it, it's prohibitively expensive. If you were to make your own cheesecake using four packages of the stuff, it'd run you about €20, which is nearly $30. Holy mother of Bristol Palin!
A couple of French supermarkets do carry their own variations on the Philly-theme, often labeled fromage à tartiner (spreading cheese). But usually the tell-take brick shape gives it away and since it can be kinda pricey, I like to gather the troops and combine it with another French favorite, le brownie. This recipe for Cheesecake Brownies uses just one brick of cream cheese so it's not such a blow to the portefeuille.
I baked a batch last week and handed them out to friends who work at my outdoor market. Normally, the French taste tends to run more in the purist direction: one either serves them a cheesecake, or bakes up a batch of brownies. Combining the two surprised everyone, but not a single square was left at the end of the day.
Chalk another one up to good 'ol American ingenuity.
Cheesecake Brownies
One 9-inch (23cm) square pan
6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 ounces (115g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
2/3 cup (130g) sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup (70g) flour
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup (80g) chocolate chips
8 ounces (200g) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 large egg yolk
5 tablespoons (75g) sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. Line a 9-inch (23cm) square pan with foil, making sure it goes up all four sides. Use two sheets if necessary. Mist with non-stick spray or grease lightly.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (180C).
3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and beat in the 2/3 cup (130g) sugar, then the eggs.
4. Mix in the flour, cocoa powder and salt, then the vanilla and chocolate chips. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.
5. In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, the yolk, 5 tablespoons (75g) of sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
6. Distribute the cream cheese mixture in eight dollops across the top of the brownie mixture, then take a dull knife or spatula and swirl the cream cheese mixture with the chocolate batter.
7. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the batter in the center of the pan feels just set.
Let cool, then lift out the foil and peel it away. Cut the brownies into squares.
Storage: These will keep in an airtight container for a couple of days. They also freeze well, too.
How interesting that two desserts that I usually categorize as North American favs, are so popular in France. I'd think they'd be in rapture about their own delectable pastry classics.
Great looking brownies by the way!
Your Cheesecake Brownies look great! Yes, here (Switzerland) cream cheese is expensive like hell (28 CHF for a cheesecake)! Incredible!
Cheers,
Rosa
Have a great trip, and let us know when the Bizarre Foods episode airs ...
ciao, arabella
Those brownies look too delectable not to make!
Where do you stock up on American food in Paris?
Thanks for all of the great posts and inspiration, have a safe trip.
E
Erin: Check out my post: American Baking in Paris for tips! And, of course, I stock up during trips back, too : ) -dl
I believe petit suisse can substitute for cream cheese in cake recipes. Also, it is fairly affordable in the European Francophone region. The petit suisse is fairly comparable in fat content to American cream cheese.
Do Ricotta cheesecakes go over as well in France as the American-style cream cheese ones? I'd think ricotta cheese would be more affordable, and while the texture is different, might satisfy a cheesecake craving.
Have a fabulous trip!
Great looking brownies. i am always on the look out for a new brownie recipe as my kids all love to eat em.
I have a catering and american baked goods business here in Paris and cheesecake is in high demand. I have tried everything and have very good results using Carre Frais (Elle&Vire). The fat content is the same as philidelphia and the taste is almost the same. Not quite as silky as its American counterpart but close.
Your baking and creativity inspires me. I love your writing and pictures.
Thanks David!
These brownies look amazing, I love cheesecake and chocolate!
Michelle: That's a good idea, except I think I'd eat all the Petit Suisse I bought first!
Maureen: I've used the Franprix brand with decent results. But it's funny that Philly is so expensive in France. It's much cheaper in Italy and Belgium, and it's even made in Europe (I think.) I guess it's supply & demand?
De: I've never seen a ricotta cheesecake here. But I don't think they'd go over as well. I like ricotta cheesecakes, but they're usually not smooth and unctuous, and swoon-worthy. Which the French are attracted to...and me too!
FYI, Philadelphia cream cheese is widely available in the UK. You could bring back a rucksack-full on the Eurostar if you wanted.
I've been making the Mascarpone Brownies lately..they are SO good, but not much like a typical brownie..the texture is so tender. I imagine mascarpone cheese is more plentiful there; Yes/No? My favorite cheesecake is made with Mascarpone..so I imagine I could use it in this application. These look great.
Have a great trip and a real hamburger!
Its expensive in Canada too, 3.49 for one bar. Rarely it goes on sale for 1.99. I pick up bars in MI for 1.25 when I go. they keep for months.
The cheesecake brownies look fabulous! I suppose, whenever I'm wishing I owned a little stone hut in Provence, I should remind myself that I could not buy cream cheese.
Ha! Philadelphia cream cheese seems oh-so unclassy (ugh, those Canadian tv commercials with the angels make me want to punch someone...uncharitable, perhaps, but I can't help it!) until you attempt to bake a cheesecake and suddenly appreciate that it costs a million dollars.
I opt for the local cheese shops where you can buy housemade cream cheese from a big pail--it looks like pure heck, but they'll weigh out the amount you need, there's no wrapper to throw in the trash, and there is a lower water content, so the cake takes a shorter time to dry and turn firm, and rarely cracks when cooling.
But I'm good with *any* excuse to take a dessert and make it into a brownie version! I therefore fully support this recipe and from now on, will pretend it is too pricey to make straight-up cheesecake, too.
Ha! Philadelphia cream cheese seems oh-so unclassy (ugh, those Canadian tv commercials with the angels make me want to punch someone...uncharitable, perhaps, but I can't help it!) until you attempt to bake a cheesecake and suddenly appreciate that it costs a million dollars.
I opt for the local cheese shops where you can buy housemade cream cheese from a big pail--it looks like pure heck, but they'll weigh out the amount you need, there's no wrapper to throw in the trash, and there is a lower water content, so the cake takes a shorter time to dry and turn firm, and rarely cracks when cooling.
But I'm good with *any* excuse to take a dessert and make it into a brownie version! I therefore fully support this recipe and from now on, will pretend it is too pricey to make straight-up cheesecake, too.
"Holy mother of Bristol Palin!"
OMG you are too funny, David! And those brownies......be sure to bring a double batch here to Central CA while you are visiting ;)
David,
Brownies and cheesecake are not really my type of dessert, but after reading your recipe and saw how many different type of chocolate that you've put in the recipe, I think I would consider of trying it.
Before I came to visit you today, I was over at Chocolate & Zucchini, reading about "fromage blanc" and "gateau a fromage blanc", which sounds like Cheesecake Lite.
I live in Small Town, Florida, nowhere near a Whole Foods, Trader Joe's or the like. What would you (or your readers) suggest as a substitute for 'fromage blanc' if I wanted it to make a Tarte Flambe?
I can't wait to try this recipe for my sons, both big fans of cheesecake and brownies. Just days ago we had a chocolate fondue with cubes of cheesecake for dipping (and marshmallows and pretzels, mais oui!)
Hi David!
These look amazing! Does it matter whether the cocoa powder is dutch-process or not? I'm always confused on that one...
Alalalalala !!! Where can I order on of those online ? :-)
Bises
Seeing these lovely cheesecake brownies just knocked me over with a big wave of nostalgia. Growing up, I adored a less classy version of these treats at the cookie shop at the mall food court (you know, with the gigantic cookie cakes)? Anyway, it's been ages since I've frequented the mall for dessert, but your post took me right back to scrunchies and En Vogue. :) Thanks!
Fabulous photos! Of course I printed out the recipe...these will be perfect for a get together I'm planning for next weekend....and somehow the printer went crazy and printed 3 copies instead of one....but I'll bet my friends will ask for the recipe, so I'm prepared!
And for that last line, I think you meant to say they'll FREEZE well.
It looks so decadent... Wow!
Do let us know indeed when the Bizarre Food episode will air, ok? Where will it be located?
to Kim:
I would suggest you use sour cream, but the real thing, OK?, not the fat-free sour cream or other such non-sense. How can it be cream if it's fat free?
Good luck with tart flambee. It's easy and yummy. Make sure you cook the onions on slow for a long time!
I've been lurking here for a while, but never commenting. Then, this. In my 20's, there was a shop near me called The Dessert Place, in Atlanta. A craving for the cream cheese brownie would get me on my bike riding 20 blocks for one. Record time. They closed unexpectedly, overnight, too fast for me to get the recipe. I'll try this one and see if it can match a memory. I do make a cheesecake recipe I got years ago out of Gourmet, and take it to my local wineshop here in New Orleans. It's amazing with wine, as it is cream cheese with Stilton.
Enjoy that trip home; wish I was returning to France with you.
These look absolutely gorgeous. Now if only I could figure out how to make just two at a time, so I didn't feel compelled to eat the whole batch...
(Seriously, any tips? I got approval to go to Buenos Aires on exchange for the Summer, and thus I want to be able to fit back into my bikini before December. Brownies aren't conducive to this!)
Et bon voyage!
I had a serious problem today. There was no dessert at my house. Then this post came up. I love cheesecake brownies. I love David Lebovitz recipes. I see a solution to my problem.
Hi David, this is a really random question but I don't know who else to ask. Do you know of any websites where I can download French music (that have a broader selection than itunes) without needing a French credit card? Neither French itunes nor fnac will let me buy music and I don't know where else to look.
Speaking of expensive.... many years ago someone working at the German embassy in Tokyo going back home wanted to make tiramisu for her colleagues and went shopping for some mascarpone - she got mascarpone but paid 72 German marks = 54,-- US$ for the stuff....
Anyway, I can't say I am wild about chocolate and I always ignore recipes containing any of it - and of course I never made any brownies...... BUT there is obviously something about this recipe and the way you put it that makes me wanna try them out!!! So as soon as stores are open again around here I am going to get some cream cheese and make them brownies :)
Have a great time in S.F. and sorroundings... terrific spot on this planet!!!!
Of course Paris, France is also nice.....
Can't wait to try this recipe...of course that lonely egg white will come in handy for the banana cake recipe.
What a lovely coincidence! I just found a cheap source of Philly cheese in Germany (I'm in Strasbourg), and was looking for just this kind of recipe. I'm a big fan of your site! Thanks for the great recipes.
Oh WOW!!!!!!!
Brownie + Cheesecake! I love this combi. Both are my favs. Now mine is baking in the oven. I think mine will be gone before it went to the container. Just love your recipes!!! Thank you.
THANK YOU for this wonderful recipe! I made them last night, along with Shephards Pie for dinner, and they are amazingly wonderful! So thick and fudgey and rich. Beward, a small piece is more than enough (even for this chocoholic!)
Have fun on your trip, David!
I've been promising a cheesecake to my french colleagues for years now, but the price tag on all that philly cream cheese has stopped me from doing it. But I am going to try these out on them next week and will be sure to report back. Brilliant!
Hang on - I'm just getting on the Eurostar now to come over for coffee and brownies... Watching you butcher the French language will be a wonderful optional extra :)
If I send you the forwarding address where I'll be in Chicago for the next two weeks, will you send me a batch of brownies? Pretty please??
As for holy mother of Bristol Palin, this is why I realyl read this blog - for the witty and insightful political commentary :)
I love this entry ! That is so true, my boyfriend is french, and last year I introduced him to cheesecake and he now gets constant cravings for it, he absolutely LOVES it. Those look so good ! Bon voyage and have a great time in San Francisco !
That brownie cheesecake/cheesecake brownies reminded me of the recipe in The Rose Bakery Cookbook. It's also very good, but I mixed the batters too much the first time and got a sort-of beige finished product. Do you like Rose Bakery? I've never seen it mentioned here. It's one of my top 10 cookbooks of all time.
Hy heef har sruk ih hy shreen............oooh thats better, i lost control of myself for a moment there.......almost bit right through my monitor screen. Lordie these are my total favourites. Thanx David. These are my signature dish...I have them as my avatar on my blog. Happy travelling :) xxx
Hi Folks: I arrived in SF (relatively) intact, and just in time for a Chinese noodle feast.
Re the Bizarre Foods episode: Follow the link on my Schedule page. I don't know when the show airs in various regions, but the link takes you to the site which I hope will say when it'll be shown.
Hi David,
My first tray is gone and my kids are asking for more. Now baking my second one. All give me a thumb up for this!!! Thank you.
Ah ~ probably my favorite American classic. My friend and I used to bake brownies like this all the time while we were still in school. My chef and the rest of the students loved it.
Happy travels in Sunny CA! Tell D&P I said Hello.
Barbara: Oops! That's what happens when I try to update blog while racing for a plane!
Kira: You can use either here. The extra bit of cocoa powder is to boost the chocolate flavor.
Mona: Glad you liked them : )
I made Cheesecake Brownies, couple weeks ago, and we loved them. Beautiful pictures of your brownies.
Wow!! les photos sont super:))
J'adore les brownies.... Il faudra que j'essaie ça à tout prix!!
Ici au Québec, le fromage Philadelphia est un produit très répandu!!
Have you ever considered making your own cream cheese with yogurt? It is so easy,
my mom makes a super delicious cheesecake with the german Quark and a bit of creme fraiche and sour cream or whipped cream. try it. amazing!
Beautiful! Sounds really scrumpcious...something that I'll be making sometime soon! Your pictures are beautiful, by the way!
David;
Why do you, with all your culinary talent, not make cream cheese at home?? Why do you rely on "Philadelpia" to make cream cheese full of gums and binders when making cream cheese at home is so easy, cheap and very tasty. Anything you buy in the market can easily be made at home and taste leagues better. Trust me with cream cheese....I've made cream cheese a few times...cow's milk and goat's milk. I learned the technique in Dairy Lab at Oregon State Univ. as part of the Food Science and Technology program. You need a good thermometer, fresh milk and a buttermilk or yogurt culture. This is a good challenge for you. From blanc recipes work well too.
Your sly remark regarding Bridgette Palin make me laugh....you should team up with Berkeley Breathed, the pen behind "Opus". Only an american will get your wry comments.
Pia and biochemist: I did make my own Homemade Cottage Cheese a while back, and would love to give cream cheese a try. When I get home, I'll look up a recipe for it and try to find the ingredients in Paris.
I did a taste-test for a publication once on Philly vs. "natural" style cream cheese in cheesecake. The natural one got high marks on flavor, but folks preferred the smoothness of the regular cream cheese. Maybe my homemade will be the best of both worlds?
Do you have any friends who own a restaurant?
Philadelphia is not cheap in Singapore either, but when my dad is baking up a cheesecake storm (we used to be New Yorkers it happens that way sometimes) he calls up a friend of his here who owns a restaurant. His friend orders the Philly wholesale from a distributor and only charges my dad at cost.
I know storing a case of cream cheese could be tricky in a Parisian sized apartment, but if you ever had a good reason to make multiple cakes it could work well. My dad never makes less than three at a time because they freeze so well, but I imagine your freezer is already full.
I made these, and have to caution, they are very, very rich, and very sweet. Almost like fudge rich and sweet. A bit more than I usually like, actually, so I am cutting them in very small pieces. They are too much for my husband, so they are all mine.
I blame you for my jeans size, David. ;)
David! I am at the Marceau Bastille right this minute! Send some over!
Mimi
(I'm kidding! Or am I?)
Wow this looks like bakery grade stuff that makes your sweet tooth ache and shocked that there was one left over. Can I add this to my site http://www.cheesecake-recipes.org Our visitors will definitely enjoy this great recipe.
can not wait to come back from a wedding i'm going to tomorrow so I can make these and throw that stupid diet out the window!
questo dolce è magnifico!!
I just made them and really liked them. Not to sweet at all, fudgy AND yet still cheesecakey. Will definitely make them again. I was just too lazy to make really good swirls so some parts were cheesecake on top of fudge brownies. =)
zena & la rêveuse: I'm not a fan of overly sweet desserts either. Rêveuse; You might want to make sure to use a fairly bitter chocolate. I tend to use one that's around 50-55% cacao for testing since that's around the norm.
You could decrease the sugar in the cheesecake mixture to 1/4 cup, although when I tested that, I thought it might be too tangy or 'cheesy' for most tastes. You could also decrease the sugar in the brownie batter by a few tablespoons, although they won't be as moist.
Samantha: Ever since I discovered the store-brand pâte à tartiner in France, I use that instead of Philadelphia. Also the Jewish grocers in the Marais carry cream cheese as well. But I did have a friend who brought me over a #5 brick of Philadelphia shortly after I moved to Paris, which was a great (but rich!) gift.
I made it and it was delicious, David. Thank you!!!
My cheese mixture turned a bit soft though so although I got it to look marbled it looked more like lines of chocolate swirling around in the cheese cake. -_-
I guess I'm just a bad baker.
Hi David,
Me again, with a novice question. When you say the brownies freeze well, do you mean cooked or uncooked?
If it's cooked, how do you thaw them?
If it's uncooked, do you thaw them before baking?
I've never frozen baked goods, so I figure I'll try it. (Saves me eating the entire batch so they don't go off.)
Thank you!
The brownies should be frozen after they're baked. To thaw, let stand at room temperature, still wrapped, a few hours prior to serving...although they're pretty delicious eaten straight from the freezer, too! : ) -dl
David, you're a star, thank you! :D
I don't often comment on people's blogs, but I must admit, I couldn't resist. As a young francophile who likes to cook, your blog is inspiring, informative, and fun. I just made chouquettes for the first time last week. I'm looking forward to future posts. Keep living the sweet life!
ps-Have you tried Stumptown coffee? You should, if you haven't. If you like coffee, that is!
Well now I know why I swoon when I hear cheesecake! I am only 1/8 French but apparently that gene was passed on. ;-)
These brownies are the most amazing thing I have seen in weeks!
Oh my word, these are amazing. I am amking them as soon as I can get to the store for the goods! Merci!
OMG! two of my weaknesses in one delectable package. i *must* make these this weekend. it so happens that i have a brick of philadelphia cream cheese waiting in my fridge ;)
David, just got home from a month in Paris. I met you at the Richard Lenoir market in Regis' booth on the Sunday you helped him out. What a nice guy that Regis! He shared this Cheesecake Brownie with me and it was delicious. Gotta try this one!
Love this!
Philly Cream Cheese is pretty reasonable in Italy. I don't know why and there are commercials for it on TV all the time.
I made this for the Yom Kippur break fast. My friends and family enjoyed them immensely. Thanks for the recipe....it's a keeper!
Fatto! Se vuoi vederlo sta qui:
http://brucillamars.blogspot.com/2008/10/cheesecake-brownies-di-david.html
Grazie! Buonissimo!
Holy Carp! These were fantastic! They turned out woderful. Thanks for the recipe!
They look delicious, will definately be trying the recipe.
Gorgeous!! It is Childrens' Day today in India and I hope to make a vegetarian version without eggs of this one. I am sure the kids will love this!! Thank you:)
Just got around to making these - they were delicious. I'm not much of a baker, but this recipe was easy enough that the brownies were a huge hit with all who tried them. Thanks for the great recipe; I'll definitely be using it again.