Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Delight in these moist and rich Red Velvet Brownies topped with a velvety cream cheese frosting. This recipe combines the classic flavors of red velvet cake with fudgy brownie texture, perfect for a special dessert or treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Red Velvet Brownies
- 3/4 cup (158 g) butter, melted, (regular or dairy free)
- 3/4 cup (150 g) light brown sugar
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid red food coloring
- 1 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/4 cup (22 g) cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup + 3 tbsp (148 g) all-purpose flour
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz plain cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (53 g) butter, softened (dairy free or regular)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups (180 g) powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch (only if dairy free)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving the paper hanging over the sides for easy removal.
- Melt Butter and Combine Sugars: Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the light brown sugar and granulated sugar, then whisk until the mixture becomes a thick paste that pulls away from the bowl’s sides.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the eggs, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until well combined. Adjust red coloring as desired for more vivid color.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the cocoa powder, salt, and all-purpose flour into the bowl. Whisk gently until just combined, about one minute, taking care not to overmix.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Scrape the batter into the prepared pan using a spatula. Bake for 40 minutes, starting to check doneness at 30 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. The brownies are done when the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: While the brownies cool, beat together cream cheese, softened butter, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar until the desired frosting consistency is achieved. If using dairy free cream cheese, mix in cornstarch to help thicken.
- Cool and Frost: Allow brownies to cool completely before spreading the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Store frosted brownies in the refrigerator or keep frosting refrigerated and frost brownies just before serving.
Notes
- Use parchment paper with an overhang to lift brownies out easily after baking.
- You can adjust red food coloring amount to achieve the preferred red intensity.
- Overbaking will make brownies dry and tough; test with a toothpick carefully starting at 30 minutes.
- For dairy free options, use dairy free butter and cream cheese substitutes and add cornstarch to the frosting to thicken.
- Store brownies in the fridge to keep them fresh longer.
