This week we are celebrating Cinco de Mayo (“fifth of May”) which is when everyone likes to use it as an excuse to chow down on some delicious Mexican food. As I mentioned in the latest “Weekend Garnish” post, I’m a newer fan of Mexican food, so I really do not have a huge index of recipes to share. But, I have a new one for you today! Not that it’s truly an authentic Mexican dish…
Last week we were invited to a friend’s for dinner where she was serving Carne Asada tacos, rice and beans. She asked if I would bring the dessert and I knew I wanted it to complement the meal. This cheesecake was waiting for me in my long list of bookmarked recipes and was the perfect fit!
You might think it is strange to add the spices to the brownie mix, but do not skip it. The combination of the cinnamon, cayenne and chocolate is simply irresistible with the cheesecake. And, for the sake of time, I used a 9×13 boxed brownie mix for the crust which worked out beautifully. If you would like the recipe for not using brownie mix, then click over to the original recipe link at the end of this post.
Mexican Brownie Bottom Cheesecake
Yield: 10 – 12 servings
For the crust:
Boxed brownie mix, family size (for a 9- x 13-inch pan)
Ingredients listed on the brownie box
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
For the cheesecake:
3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup sour cream
3 eggs
Cayenne pepper for garnish, if desired
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease an 8- or 9-inch springform pan with non-stick spray.
For the crust:
Mix the brownies according to the package directions, mixing in the spices to the dry ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and bake for the directed time. Allow to cool to room temperature.
For the cheesecake:
Meanwhile, reduce oven heat to 325˚F. In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until well blended, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Stir in the sour cream. Mix in the eggs on low speed until just blended. Pour the mixture over the brownie crust.
Place the springform pan on a rimmed cookie sheet and place in the oven. Pour about 3/4-inch of water into the baking sheet, so it surrounds the springform pan. Bake at 325˚F for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until the center is almost set. The center of the cheesecake should jiggle slightly, but the outer 3 inches or so should be firm. (Mine took about 1 hour and 15 minutes.) Turn off the oven and crack open the oven door. Leave the cheesecake to cool in the oven until you are able to pick up the pan without using oven mitts. Transfer the pan to the counter-top and let cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
Run a knife around the rim of the pan to loosen the cake. Remove the outer rim of the pan, slice, and serve with a dusting of cayenne pepper (optional).
Source: Buns in my Oven, originally Perrys’ Plate
THIS IS WONDERFUL!!!! i have made it a habit to add a little chile powder and a touch of cinnamon to chocolate cake mixes when I make cupcakes. It sounds wierd, but it’s subtle and nice! I actually did it this weekend! This is a keeper! Passing it on to MOM, I know she will make it {I stick to cookies, lol!}
This cheesecake looks like an amazing way to celebrate!
Cinco de mayo is a Mexican holiday, not a holiday celebrated in other Spanish-speaking countries (at least not officially). It is celebrated in the U.S. as well, but not just by Mexicans, as you can see by all the blogs posting Mexican-related (or Tex-Mex-related) dishes.
Anyway, this cheesecake looks great. I’ll have to make it with homemade brownie base and with cream instead of sour cream, but everything else looks perfect. Great photos!
This looks like the perfect cinco de mayo dessert. I always struggle with desserts to compliment mexican meals and this looks incredibly perfect.
OH MY GOODNESS! I am in love with this. I adore cinnamon and chocolate, it adds such a lovely warm flavor. Then you add a cheesecake on top… be still my heart. This is officially on my “must try” list.
Oh man….this seriously looks amazing! I love the kick that the cayenne pepper gives desserts. 🙂
I’m glad you liked this cheesecake! We thought it was fantastic! Thanks for linking up…. what a perfect week to post 🙂
This look crazy delicious! Bookmarked to make soon!
New to your blog; happy I found you!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Mary, you will love this! Happy we found each other! 🙂
Hello;
I will try this recipie soon… but, How mexican is this recipie?
If we think about the origin of some of the ingrediets used here, we could say it is a dessert with mexican soul.
Chocolate (xocolatl), Vainilla, which was named like this by the Spaniards because of the similiarity (not if flavour but in form) to their ‘vaina’, but due to its smaller size they called it Vainilla (or small ‘vaina’)… and if you replace the sugar used by agave nectar, then you have a dessert full with mexican soul.
Congratulations for your blog.
Mauricio Ballesteros
Arihuá SL
Madrid, Spain
I love your recipe. Pinning it.
…and the brownies are fine after baking for that long?
Yes! That was my initial question before making this the first time, too. 🙂 But, they are kept moist from the cheesecake and water bath. I’ve made this a few times since this post and each time the brownies are perfect!
Nikki,
Do I need to put foil around the pan before I put it in the water bath, or do I want the water to seep in a little to keep the brownies moist? Thanks!
Hi Beth,
I never do! 🙂
Thanks, Nikki! It is in the oven as I type! Can’t wait to try it.
Looks delicious! I want to make the recipe using 4 mini spring form pans or less…How would the timing work if I decide to do this? Also, how many mini spring form pans would you recommend to use?
Hi Tiffany! That sounds like a fun idea, but unfortunately since I haven’t tried using smaller pans, myself, I do not have any sound advice for you. I do know that the baking time will be significantly shorter. It may take some trial and error, and watching the oven closely! Please come back and let us know how it goes! 🙂