Milky Way Caramel Cheesecake Brownies

Rich, gooey, and utterly indulgent, Milky Way Caramel Cheesecake Brownies are the dessert dreams are made of. These decadent squares are layered with fudgy brownie, creamy cheesecake, and luscious chunks of Milky Way bars swirled with caramel for the ultimate sweet treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re someone who loves brownies, cheesecake, and candy bars, this recipe brings all your favorites together in one divine dessert. It’s a showstopper that’s perfect for parties, holidays, or simply when you need to treat yourself.

Pure Comfort

There’s something about the combination of chocolate, caramel, and cream cheese that feels like a warm hug on a cold day. These brownies offer the comfort of homemade baking with the joy of biting into your favorite candy bar. Each bite delivers a chewy, creamy, and gooey experience that satisfies every sweet craving.

Ingredients

For the Brownie Layer:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder

For the Cheesecake Layer:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Topping:

• 1 cup chopped Milky Way bars
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

What You Need

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or whisk
• 8×8-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper or cooking spray
• Spatula
• Knife for swirling

Time to Cook

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Bake time: 35–40 minutes
• Cooling time: 1 hour
• Total: Around 1 hour and 45 minutes

Steps to Make It

1. Prepare the Pan

Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray it generously with nonstick spray. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Make the Brownie Base

In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined. Stir in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread this batter evenly into your prepared pan.

3. Mix the Cheesecake Layer

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Pour it over the brownie batter and gently spread it out to cover.

4. Add Milky Way and Caramel

Sprinkle the chopped Milky Way bars over the cheesecake layer. Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly across the top. Use a knife to swirl the cheesecake, caramel, and brownie layers for a marbled effect.

5. Bake It Up

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes. The edges should be set, and the center slightly jiggly. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).

6. Cool and Chill

Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes, then transfer them to the fridge for another 30–60 minutes to set completely before slicing.

Make It Perfect

To get the cleanest slices, use a sharp knife dipped in warm water and wiped clean between cuts. Letting the brownies chill ensures the layers set and won’t fall apart when sliced.

Mix It Up

• Substitute Milky Way with Snickers, Twix, or Rolos for a different twist.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
• Use dark chocolate chips in the brownie base for an even richer flavor.

Perfect Partners

Serve these brownies with:

• A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
• A tall glass of cold milk
• A drizzle of hot fudge or extra caramel on top

Busy Day Hero

These brownies can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge. They’re great for bake sales, potlucks, or last-minute dessert needs.

Work Ahead

Bake them a day or two before your event and keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They actually taste even better after the flavors have had time to meld.

Save Some For Later

Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 4–5 days or can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Everyone’s Happy

Kids love the candy bar surprise, and adults can’t resist the cheesecake layer. They’re rich enough to satisfy any sweet tooth and beautiful enough to impress guests.

Good For You Too

While definitely a treat, you can lighten these up by:

• Using low-fat cream cheese
• Swapping half the sugar for a natural sweetener
• Cutting into smaller squares for portion control

Easy Clean Up

Using parchment paper makes removing the brownies a breeze and keeps your pan clean. Minimal dishes are needed—just two bowls and a spatula do the job.

Switch It Up

Turn this into a layered bar dessert by doubling the recipe and using a 9×13-inch pan. Or make them bite-sized using a mini muffin tin—just adjust the baking time.

Simply Perfect

Every bite is a celebration of chocolate, caramel, and cheesecake. They’re balanced, indulgent, and downright delicious. This is the kind of dessert you make once and get asked for the recipe every time after.

FAQs

1. Can I use box brownie mix instead of homemade?
Yes! Use your favorite boxed brownie mix and prepare as directed. Then follow the rest of the cheesecake and topping instructions.

2. Do these need to be refrigerated?
Yes, because of the cream cheese layer, store them in the fridge in an airtight container.

3. Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. Wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

4. What if I don’t have Milky Way bars?
You can use any soft caramel-based chocolate bar like Snickers, Mars, or even caramel-filled chocolate squares.

5. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and double-check all ingredients for gluten content.

6. How long do they stay fresh?
They’re best within 4–5 days if stored in the fridge in an airtight container.

7. Why is my cheesecake layer runny?
It may need more baking time or chilling. Always let it cool fully before slicing for best results.

Conclusion

Milky Way Caramel Cheesecake Brownies are a trifecta of everything we love in dessert—fudgy brownies, rich cheesecake, and sweet, gooey caramel all in one bite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself, these bars promise to hit the sweet spot every single time.

More Indulgent Bakes & Caramel-Chocolate Bliss

If you couldn’t get enough of those Milky Way Caramel Cheesecake Brownies, you’re going to fall head over spatula for these other irresistible treats! Start with the equally fudgy and creamy Cheesecake Brownies for a classic swirl that never disappoints. Love caramel? Then the Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bliss will hit all the sweet-salty notes. Looking for a layered delight? The Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake adds a fruity twist to the indulgence. If crispy and creamy is your thing, the Fried Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwiches are a dessert dream. And for a fun, bite-sized chocolate fix, don’t miss the Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake Bites—rich, moist, and shareable.

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