Place the sugar, melted butter, cocoa, and vanilla in a large bowl and whisk until smooth.
Mix in the eggs until fully incorporated.
Fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt, and transfer the batter to the prepared pan.
Top with cheesecake.
To make the cheesecake layer:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Place the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla in a medium bowl and mix until smooth.
Drop dollops of the cheesecake mixture over the unbaked brownies, and swirl with the tip of a knife.
Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cheesecake brownies are set around the edges but still a little soft towards the center.
Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Video
Notes
*This recipe can also be baked in a 9x13-inch pan. The brownies will come out a little thinner, and the bake time may need to be adjusted. A few more of my favorite brownie recipes: