Red Velvet Brownies (w/ Cream Cheese Frosting)

Here’s the thing. Coaxing the right consistency out of this red velvet brownies recipe is a two-step process. The first step is gently combining the ingredients in stages as outlined in the recipe. This will keep your brownies from becoming tough. Mixing strengthens gluten so for a moist chewy brownie, don’t overmix the batter. It’s better to fold in the flour just until combined.

It’s also essential not to overbake your brownies or they’ll come out dry. Every oven is different, so you’ll want to bake your brownies just until the center is set. A toothpick should come out with a few crumbs on it but not totally clean.

Lastly, let your brownies cool completely before making the icing. I know it’s tough when that deep chocolate smell permeates the kitchen and beckons to every bone in your body but it’s for the good of your brownies.

Baking up red velvet cream cheese brownies uses wholesome familiar ingredients that may already be in your pantry. Trust me, this is the red velvet brownies recipe you’re gonna’ fall in love it. Here’s whatcha’ need to make ‘em!

For the Brownies

• Butter – I like to use unsalted butter for this recipe. It allows me to control the amount of added salt in the recipe. Check out this article for more on the differences between salted vs. unsalted
• Chocolate – Bittersweet chocolate is what you need here, roughly chopped for best results. It should be melted and warm but not scalding hot or it’ll cook the eggs when you add them.
• Food Coloring – Red, of course. It’s only for aesthetics and doesn’t affect the flavor so it’s okay to omit if someone has allergies.
• Baking- Don’t overbake or the brownies will be dry and they will lose its dense, fudgy texture. As with other brownie recipes, I bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

For the Cream Cheese Icing

• Cream Cheese – You’ll want your rich savory cream cheese at room temperature.
• Butter – Again unsalted. Softened for best results but not melted. Your butter should spread easily but still hold its shape.
• Beating the frosting- Don’t overbeat or the frosting can become a runny mess.

How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?

Gotta store this red velvet brownies recipe in an airtight container in the fridge. The cream cheese frosting needs to be refrigerated and the brownies will stay moist and yummy if they’re protected from air. Sometimes I lay a piece of wax paper over the top of a Tupperware style container before securing the lid to keep them totally protected.

They’ll stay fresh and yummy for up to 4 days in the fridge. You’ll want to be sure that your fridge is set at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and reserve the FDA recommended 2-hour serving rule because of the cream cheese frosting.

Can You Freeze This?

Yes. Freezing is easy. You can freeze this red velvet brownies recipe with or without the icing.

Technically, you can freeze them cut or uncut. However, if you’re freezing them with the icing, I recommend uncut. This allows you to lay a piece of wax paper over the top of your brownies and save your icing.

Make Ahead Tips

Preparing ahead of time is easy. There’s not really any prep since they only take 10 minutes to get into the oven. But, these brownies are fantastic to make ahead of time.

I like to bake up a couple of batches and toss them into the freezer. When I’m ready to thaw and serve, that’s when I make a batch of icing. Then I have freshly, prettiest iced red velvet brownies that are as moist and delicious as they come!

Recipe Variations

1. Bake it into a cake. Make red velvet bundt cake with a bundt pan or line them up in cupcake pans to get red velvet cupcakes.
2. Turn it into cookies. Who can resist a red velvet cookie? Try these for tasty red velvet white chocolate chip cookies or put together a treat that’s even fudgier like red velvet crinkle cookies.
3. Make balls. Whip up something special for your fam or “the one” with red velvet cake balls with lots of love! A huge reader favorite for years!
4. Add filling. Stuff  2 soft, cakey cookies with the cream cheese filling and you’ll get red velvet whoopie pies.
5. Add Oreos.  Got some Oreos in the pantry? Level up your brownies with red velvet oreo brownies! Just crush ’em up and sprinkle over the brownies as much as you want!

More Brownies Recipes

• Cosmic Brownies
• Christmas Tree Brownies
• Caramel Brownies 

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Red Velvet Brownies

Our red velvet brownies are dense, chewy with just the right amount of red velvet tang and chocolate then topped with luscious cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time44 minutes mins

Total Time54 minutes mins

Servings: 16 People

Author: Kathleen

Ingredients

Brownies:

• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (1-ounce) bottle red liquid food coloring
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/8 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and melt on high for 1-1 1/2minutes. Stir until smooth. Stir in sugar. Add in eggs, 1 at a time, stirring just until incorporated. Stir in flour, food coloring, baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs, about 44 to 48 minutes. Set pan on a wire rack and cool completely(about 2 hours).
• When brownies are cool make the frosting. Beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, beating until blended. Stir in vanilla.
• Lift brownies from pan, using foil sides as handles; gently remove foil. Spread Cream Cheese Icing on top of brownies, and cut into 16-20 squares. Garnish, if desired.

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