These Marbled Ube Cream Cheese Brownies are a bold, beautiful twist on classic fudge brownies—swirled with luscious purple yam and tangy cheesecake ribbons.
Save For Later! 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
If you're craving a dessert that’s both eye-catching and decadent, this one’s a keeper. Made for ube lovers and curious first-timers alike, they’re easy to prep and always a crowd-pleaser!
This simple hack adds a delightful Filipino twist to your brownies- but if you’re a fan of chocolate, don’t miss my Red Velvet Brownie and Chocolate Crinkles recipes too. They’re just as rich, fun to bake, and perfect for any sweet tooth!
Jump to:
What Makes These Brownies So Good?
- Gorgeous marbled look—no fancy technique required
- Fudgy chocolate base with a rich, slightly nutty ube swirl
- No need for ube halaya—just ube extract and cream cheese
- Meal-prep friendly: stores well for 5+ days
- A guaranteed hit for parties, potlucks, or afternoon treats
Here’s What You’ll Need
- Ghirardelli Brownie Mix:Feel free to use your favorite boxed mix as a shortcut, or try my base brownie recipe if you like baking from scratch.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese gives the best swirl texture. Let it soften at room temp to avoid lumps.
- Egg: Binds our brownie batter together, providing structure and stability to the final product.
- White Sugar: Sweetness in its purest form!
- Ube Extract or Ube Jam: I use the McCormick brand, but any strong purple yam extract will work. A little goes a long way—too much can taste artificial.
- Vanilla Extract: The essence of sweetness and warmth!
Let’s Make These Brownies! Step-by-Step
- Prep the Pan: Line an 8x13" pan with parchment—makes clean-up a breeze.
- Prepare Brownie Mix: Follow Ghirardelli brownie mix instructions, combining mix, eggs, and oil. Transfer the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Make Ube Cream Cheese Mixture: Mix softened cream cheese, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Split the mixture into 2 bowls.
- Layer and Swirl: Spoon the ube cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter in dollops. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the ube cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake: Bake per Ghirardelli mix instructions, adjusting for added layers. I baked these at 325°F for 35–40 minutes
- Cool and Cut: Allow to cool, then cut into squares.
- Serve: Enjoy your Easy Ube Cream Cheese Brownies!
Want to Switch It Up? Try These Variations
- Marble Brownies: Swirl chocolate ganache on top before baking for a decadent finish.
- Nutty Ube Brownies: Stir in crushed nuts like walnuts or macadamias for added crunch.
- Coffee Ube Brownies: Add instant coffee granules to the batter for a delightful mocha flavor.
- Ube Mochi Brownies: Fold in a handful of chopped mochi pieces for a chewy surprise in every bite.
What to Serve with Ube Brownies
- Hot drinks: Coffee, milk tea, hot chocolate or a cozy matcha latte
- Cold drinks: Iced ube latte, Thai tea, or a cold brew with cream
- Light pairings: Fresh fruit on the side, or a scoop of ube ice cream, vanilla or coconut ice cream if you’re going all in!
How to Store Leftovers
Store brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I actually think they taste even better the next day after the flavors have settled. You can also freeze them individually and thaw as needed for quick snacks or lunchbox treats.
Top Tip
Exercise patience! Allow these heavenly squares to cool for a perfect slice. While the anticipation may be tempting, the reward of neatly cut brownies is well worth the wait—ensuring each bite is a symphony of textures and flavors captured flawlessly, unlike my own hasty attempt pictured. LOL
Hope these marbled ube cream cheese brownies hit the spot! They’re one of those treats that looks fancy but is secretly super easy to make.
Let me know if you bake a batch—I always love seeing what you’re making!
Got Questions? I’ve Got Answers
While these brownies are a treat, they do contain sugar and fat. Enjoy them in moderation!
Use a sharp knife, and clean it between cuts for neat, even squares.
Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they’re perfect!
Yes, but it will make the cream cheese swirl thicker and more pudding-like. Reduce sugar slightly since halaya is sweetened.
Most likely, they were overbaked. Remove them from the oven as soon as the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
Use a butter knife or skewer and drag it gently in figure-8 motions. Don’t overdo it or you’ll lose the contrast.
More Recipes to Try
DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE? Share the love by leaving a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and review. Stay updated on the newest recipes by subscribing to my newsletter and following on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
Ube Cream Cheese Brownie (Easy and Fudgy!)
Equipment
- 1 8 x13 greased dish/ pan
Ingredients
- 2 pouches/ lb Ghirardelli brownie mix (follow the instructions on the box for additional required ingredients, typically eggs and oil)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 pc egg
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoon ube extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Brownie Mix: Follow Ghirardelli brownie mix instructions, combining mix, eggs, and oil. Transfer the brownie batter into your prepared 8x13 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Make Ube Cream Cheese Mixture: Mix softened cream cheese, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Split the mixture into 2 bowls.
- Layer and Swirl: Spoon the ube cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter in dollops. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the ube cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake: Bake per Ghirardelli mix instructions, adjusting for added layers.
- Cool and Cut: Allow to cool, then cut into squares.
- Serve: Enjoy your Easy Ube Cream Cheese Brownies!
Save For Later! 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Notes
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the ingredients, mix just until incorporated for the best texture.
- Check for Doneness: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your brownies to prevent overbaking.
- Chill for Better Flavor: Allowing the brownies to chill in the fridge for a few hours enhances their flavor.
- Let Them Rest: Let the brownies sit for a bit before cutting for cleaner edges.
Thank you for your feedback 😊