So ridiculously good, this Cheesecake Swirled Brown Sugar Cake should come with a warning sign. Cheesecake swirls, raspberries and a crusty brown sugar topping. . . it’s seriously to die for!
When I see the words cheesecake swirled and brown sugar in the same sentence, you’ve completely got my attention.
I saw this Cheesecake Swirled Brown Sugar Cake on Instagram just a few days before we were leaving for the beach. I still had quite a bit to get done but I was literally drooling over this cake and wanted it right then.
Sadly, I had to practice some major self-discipline to not make this cake because I knew I had more pressing things to get done.
I dreamt about this cake the whole week we were in Newport. We got home Saturday night and I made this cake first thing Sunday morning and trust me when I say YOU GUYS, THIS CAKE!!!I honestly don’t even know where to begin.
The cheesecake swirl, the brown sugar cake, the raspberries, the crunchy brown sugar topping. . . . .holy schnikes it’s fabulous!
If you’re looking for a new dessert to try, have a party you need to take dessert to, you’re taking dinner to someone, then look no further, this cake is exactly what you need.My house smelled absolutely amazing while it was baking which was totally killing me because I was fasting on Sunday when I made it. So note to self: DO NOT make this cake ever again while fasting.
I think every single one of us could have eaten an entire cake by ourselves. That’s honestly no exaggeration. Top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream . . . . it’s heavenly!I’m seriously so depressed right now that it’s gone, so I guess I’m just going to have to make it again today. Please find any excuse to make this cake, you’ll be so happy you did!
So if you’ll excuse me now, I have a cake to go make.
TIPS FOR MAKING CHEESECAKE SWIRLED BROWN SUGAR CAKE:
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature, the batter mixes up so much better if it is.
- When folding in the raspberries, be really gently and don’t over mix. You don’t want to break up and mush the raspberries.
- When swirling the cheesecake layer in, just put large dollops over the entire top of the cake and just give a few swirls back and forth and then a few more in the opposite direction. You don’t want to completely mix in the cheesecake layer. You still want to have big puddles/blobs of it. (When I remake this, I’ll try and remember to take pictures of that step.)
- Make sure the entire cake is covered with the brown sugar topping. There is plenty of it to go around, so make you spread it evenly over the entire top.
- Don’t forget to put a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Cheesecake Swirled Brown Sugar Cake
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings 1x
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups raspberries (I like more raspberries in mine so I use 1 1/2 cups)
Cheesecake Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Topping:
- 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9×13 inch cake pan with cooking spray, set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer add the butter and brown sugar, mix until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. With mixer on low, add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, (about half of each, each time) mix until combined. Batter will be thick.
- Gently fold in the raspberries, being careful not to over mix and squish the raspberries. Pour batter into pan and spread into even layer.
- Cheesecake Swirl:
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, flour and vanilla until smooth and creamy (you can use an electric or hand mixer). Place dollops of cream cheese mixture on top of the cake all over, then using a butter knife, swirl back and forth and up and down a JUST A FEW times (don’t over swirl, you still want to see big streams/blobs of cream cheese filling on top. Set aside and make the brown sugar topping.
Topping:
- Combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and melted butter in a bowl and stir to combine. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over the top of the cake evenly.
- Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely then enjoy! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Category: Cakes & Cupcakes
LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW IF YOU GIVE THIS A TRY! I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK. SHARE IT ON INSTAGRAM USING THE HASHTAG #5BOYSBAKER SO I CAN SEE WHAT YOU’RE MAKING IN YOUR KITCHEN.
Recipe Source: Adapted slightly from I Wash You Dry
Made this on a day you were fasting … were you trying to torture yourself? Because that’s how you torture yourself …
I can’t wait to make this – it’s sounds so delicious and your photos of it look incredible! I am afraid I will have to hide in the closet while eating it so the boys don’t know I have it :o)
Hey Cat, let me tell you it was pure torture! You have got to make this cake, I actually made it twice in one week because we devoured the first one. I laughed when I read your comment about hiding in the closet, do you know how many times I’ve thought about doing that LOL!!
Oh. my. word! This so so delicious!! Easy to make and that crumb topping *swoon and sigh*
My hubs grabbed a big corner piece, as usual – my son took a big piece out of the middle, as usual (it kills me on the inside a little every time) – I took a small piece – okay maybe a not so small piece – and went to my secret hiding spot (maybe not so secret with the dog whimpering outside the door – not really sure if he just wanted to come in or wanted a bite or three) … and since the house is still quiet – time for this for breakfast!
And I’ll tell you – it’s stuff like this that makes closet eating perfectly acceptable 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe! This so goes in the rotation – probably twice in the next few days LOL I can absolutely see how that happened 🙂
Cat, you are the best. I love reading your comments! I am so glad you loved this cake. Yes, closet eating is definitely acceptable with something this good!
Hello,
How are leftovers stored? In the fridge or at room temp?
Hello,
How is this supposed to be stored? Room temp or refrigerated? Thank you!
Hi! Either way is fine. Honestly, there usually isn’t left for me to store, but if there is, I like to store it in the refrigerator and then gently warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds.
I served this today and my guests went crazy for it. Thank you so much. I did end up baking it for an extra 30 minutes though. Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Hi! So happy your guest loved this. That surprises me you had to cook it an extra 30 minutes. . . I’m wondering if your oven just cooks much lower than mine. Anyway, so glad it turned out and you loved it. Thanks for letting me know.