Red Velvet Brownies Recipe

Introduction

Red Velvet Brownies combine the rich, fudgy texture of classic brownies with the vibrant color and subtle tang of red velvet cake. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, they make a delightful treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, melted (regular or dairy free)
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon liquid red food coloring
• 1½ teaspoon white vinegar
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup + 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 oz plain cream cheese, room temperature (see notes for dairy free options)
• ¼ cup butter, softened (dairy free or regular)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1½-2 cups powdered sugar (icing sugar)
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch (only if dairy free, optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhanging for easy removal.
2. Step 2: Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stove, then transfer it to a medium bowl.
3. Step 3: Add both sugars to the melted butter and whisk until the mixture forms a paste that pulls cleanly from the bowl.
4. Step 4: Mix in the eggs, vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Adjust the color if desired by adding more food coloring.
5. Step 5: Sift together the cocoa powder, salt, and flour, then add to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined.
6. Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, scraping all the batter out with a spatula.
7. Step 7: Bake for 30-40 minutes. Begin checking at 30 minutes with a toothpick; a few moist crumbs remaining means it’s done. Avoid over-baking to keep them soft.
8. Step 8: While the brownies cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting.
9. Step 9: In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, softened butter, salt, and vanilla until smooth.
10. Step 10: Gradually add powdered sugar until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. If using dairy free cream cheese, stir in cornstarch to thicken (optional).
11. Step 11: Refrigerate the frosting until ready to use.
12. Step 12: Once the brownies are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly on top.

Tips & Variations

• Use a good quality liquid red food coloring for the best vibrant color; gel colors may not distribute evenly.
• For a dairy free version, substitute dairy free butter and cream cheese, and add cornstarch to the frosting to help it thicken.
• Avoid over-mixing the batter once you add the dry ingredients to keep the brownies tender.
• You can swirl some of the frosting into the brownie batter before baking for a marbled effect.

Storage

Store frosted brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If unfrosted, refrigerate the brownies separately and apply frosting just before serving for best texture. To reheat, warm briefly at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?

Gel food coloring can work but may not blend as evenly as liquid. For the most uniform red color, liquid food coloring is recommended.

How do I make the brownies dairy free?

Use dairy free butter and dairy free cream cheese substitutes. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the frosting to help thicken it when using dairy free cream cheese.

Red Velvet Brownies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 107 reviews

Rich and luscious Red Velvet Brownies with a creamy cream cheese frosting. These brownies combine the classic deep red color and subtle cocoa flavor of red velvet with a moist, fudgy texture. Finished with a smooth, sweet cream cheese frosting, they make a perfect dessert for any occasion.

• Author: lea
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 16 brownies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Brownie Batter

• 3/4 cup butter, melted (regular or dairy free)
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon liquid red food coloring (adjust amount for desired color)
• 1½ teaspoon white vinegar
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup + 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 oz plain cream cheese, room temperature (dairy free alternative available)
• ¼ cup butter, softened (dairy free or regular)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1½–2 cups powdered sugar (icing sugar)
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch (only if using dairy free cream cheese)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the paper to hang over the sides for easy removal of the brownies later.
2. Melt Butter and Mix Sugars: Melt the butter either in the microwave or over the stove in a small pan. Transfer the melted butter into a medium bowl and whisk in the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture forms a paste that pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and liquid red food coloring to the sugar-butter mixture. Mix well until evenly combined. The red color may vary; add more food coloring if a deeper red shade is desired.
4. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together the cocoa powder, salt, and all-purpose flour. Add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture and whisk gently until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the brownies tender.
5. Prepare to Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to scrape all batter from the bowl. Smooth the top evenly.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. Start checking at 30 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center; the brownies are done when the toothpick has a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Avoid overbaking to keep them fudgy.
7. Cooling: Once baked, allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
8. Make Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl or mixer bowl, beat together the cream cheese, softened butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
9. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, beating until the frosting reaches your desired sweetness and consistency. If using dairy-free cream cheese, mix in 2 tablespoons cornstarch to help thicken the frosting.
10. Chill Frosting: Store the frosting in the refrigerator until ready to use to maintain firmness.
11. Frost Brownies: Once the brownies have fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
12. Storage: Keep the frosted brownies refrigerated, or alternatively store the frosting in the fridge and leave brownies unfrosted until serving.

Notes

• Liquid red food coloring intensity can vary by brand; adjust the amount to achieve your preferred red shade.
• All-purpose flour measurement includes 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons for proper texture.
• If using dairy-free cream cheese, add 2 tablespoons cornstarch to the frosting to help it thicken.
• Do not over-bake the brownies to maintain a moist, fudgy texture; toothpick should come out with moist crumbs.
• Using parchment paper with overhang helps in lifting the brownies out of the pan easily.
• For dairy-free version, use dairy-free butter and cream cheese alternatives accordingly.

Keywords: red velvet brownies, cream cheese frosting, baked brownies, red velvet dessert