Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Brownies That’ll Melt Hearts (and Maybe Minds) 

Cheese in brownies? Trust us, it works. This unexpected duo is fudgy, swirly, rich, and slightly tangy. With plant-based ingredients and our signature Darë Cream Cheese swirling it up, these brownies are here as a big dessert brag and they're not shy.

 

These vegan cream cheese brownies are everything we want in a treat: rich, gooey, chocolatey, and made without any dairy, gluten or eggs. Whether you’re new to plant-based baking or you’ve been living the vegan dessert life for a while, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort. No fancy equipment, no complicated substitutions, and absolutely no need for dairy to get that dreamy cheesecake swirl. In fact, the prep is only 15 minutes, plus 35 of drooling at the oven door.

 

Let's Indulge

These brownies are everything you love about classic chocolate desserts, made kinder and cleaner with simple, whole food ingredients. Perfect for impressing guests, gifting to friends, or keeping all to yourself (we are so guilty).

Here's a sneak peak at some of the ingredients and their benefits:

2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp filtered water) – great for structure and fiber, remember this method to make other fave recipes into vegan ones!

½ cup nut or seed butter (peanut, almond, or cashew) – gives richness without the dairy

½ cup coconut sugar – a natural sweetener with caramel notes

¾ cup almond flour – keeps them gluten-free and tender

⅔ cup raw cacao powder – rich in antioxidants and bold chocolate flavor

8 oz. Darë Cream Cheese – literally the icing on top of the cake. It's probiotic and plant-based, it's tangy, creamy, and delicious.

 

A Swirl of Sweet History 

Brownies have been gracing dessert plates since the early 1900s, but the addition of a cheesecake swirl came later and honestly, it’s been improving lives ever since. Our vegan version uses our classic dairy-free Cream Cheese to create a marbled top layer that bakes into a creamy, slightly tangy contrast to the dense, chocolatey base. No dairy, no eggs, and no regrets - just melt-in-your-mouth magic.

 

Bake It Till You Make It 

These gluten and dairy-free brownies are beginner-friendly and only take about 15 minutes to prep. You don’t need a mixer or a Michelin star, just a bowl, a spoon, and maybe a little willpower not to eat the batter straight from the pan.

 

RECIPE

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins 

Serves: 12-16

 

Ingredients:

 

Vegan Brownies

2 flax eggs (2 TBSP ground flaxseed + 6 TBSP filtered water)

1/2 cup smooth unsweetened neutral nut or seed butter (peanut, almond, cashew)

½ cup coconut sugar

¼ cup pure maple syrup

1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

3/4 cup almond flour 

⅔ cup raw cacao powder

1 tsp baking powder 

Cream Cheese Layer

8 oz. Darë Cream Cheese

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1 TBSP cornstarch

Instructions:

 

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with coconut oil. Set aside.

In a medium sized bowl, prepare the flax egg by mixing together the ground flaxseed and filtered water. Let the mixture rest for ~5 minutes to allow it to gel. 

Once the flax egg has gelled, add the nut or seed butter, coconut sugar, and almond milk to the bowl. Mix everything together until it’s well combined, then add in the almond flour, cacao powder, and baking powder. Mix everything together until the batter is sticky and smooth. 

Transfer about 1/4 cup of the brownie batter to a small bowl and set aside. Add the remaining brownie batter to the lined pan and spread it into an even layer with the back of the spoon or a spatula. Set aside.

In another medium mixing bowl, prepare the cheesecake layer. Add the cream cheese and maple syrup to a mixing bowl and whisk with a fork or whisker until it’s smooth and creamy.  Add in the cornstarch and whisk again until it’s smooth and thickened. Pour/spoon the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter in the pan. Use a spatula to carefully spread it into an even layer.

Take your reserved 1/4 cup brownie batter and spoon/drop it over the cheesecake layer in random spots. Use a knife or a toothpick to swirl the brownie batter into the cheesecake batter to create a marble pattern. 

Place the pan into the oven and bake the cream cheese brownies for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set and the brownies start to crack around the edges. Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely before cutting into squares and devouring.