Red Velvet Brownies

Inspired by the beloved cake, these red velvet brownies are dense, fudgy, and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting for an eye-catching dessert that will shake up your usual baking routine.

Make this colorful twist on chocolate brownies for a festive touch at your next holiday party, as an after-school snack, or to just keep in the freezer to have on hand for drop-in guests. The snowy-white cream cheese frosting adds a delicious contrast to the bars, but you can also top them with your favorite chocolate frosting if preferred.

Learn how to make red velvet brownies. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, these red velvet brownies are easy to make, and sure to impress.

Red Velvet Brownies Vs. Red Velvet Cake

While the ingredients of classic red velvet cake are the inspiration for these brownies (namely chocolate, red food coloring, and cream cheese frosting), texture is the difference-maker for these crowd-pleasing desserts.

While red velvet cake is light with an even crumb, red velvet brownies typically have a more dense, fudgy texture. Red velvet cake is often made with buttermilk, which gives it a mild tanginess and a moist crumb, while brownies are made with a higher ratio of fat for a more dense, chewy texture.

Although both are topped or layered with cream cheese frosting, red velvet cake is traditionally stacked and sliced into wedges, while red velvet brownies are frosted and cut into handheld squares for easy grabbing.

Ingredients for Red Velvet Brownies

These red velvet brownies are made with bittersweet baking chocolate, vanilla extract, and red food coloring for that iconic red velvet presentation. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, they make for a truly decadent dessert. To make red velvet brownies, you'll need:

For the brownies:

• Cooking spray: To prevent the brownies from sticking to the foil.
• Bittersweet chocolate baking bar: Gives the brownies a traditional chocolate flavor. Baking bars offer more consistent results when used for baking applications.
• Salted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the brownies for a dense, fudgy texture.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the brownies.
• Large eggs: Binds the batter.
• All-purpose flour: Gives the brownies their structure.
• Baking powder: For a touch of lift.
• Table salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the brownies. If using unsalted butter, increase this quantity slightly.
• Red liquid food coloring: For a traditional red velvet look.
  
• Vanilla extract: Adds depth of flavor.

For the cream cheese frosting:

• Cream cheese: Gives the frosting a rich texture and mild tanginess.
• Salted butter: To give the frosting a creamy base and extra stability.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances and rounds out the overall flavor of the frosting.

How To Make Red Velvet Brownies

This unique twist on a beloved dessert comes together in just 30 minutes of active time. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

• Step 1. Prepare the Brownies: Lightly grease bottom and sides of a baking pan with cooking spray; line bottom and sides with parchment paper, and lightly grease the parchment.
• Step 2. Melt the chocolate: Microwave chocolate and butter until smooth. Whisk in sugar. Whisk in eggs.
• Step 3. Add dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir into chocolate mixture along with the food coloring and vanilla.
• Step 4. Bake: Pour into prepared pan. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool completely.
• Step 5. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until blended. Beat in vanilla and beat until light and fluffy. Spread frosting over brownies before cutting, or cut brownies into squares and pipe to top with frosting.

Red Velvet Brownies Variations

To put a unique spin on these brownies, consider these possible substitutions and additions:

• Mix-ins: Fold mix-ins into the brownie batter, including white chocolate chips, pecans or walnuts, crushed cookies, or chocolate chunks.
• Toppings: Skip the frosting and opt for a cream cheese swirl, or drizzle the baked brownies with melted white chocolate or chocolate ganache.
• Garnishes: Top the frosted brownies with a drizzle of melted dark chocolate, any stray crumbs left after cutting, chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles.
• Mini: Bake in mini cupcake pans for bite-sized treats.

Our Tips For the Best Red Velvet Brownies

For the best red velvet brownies, keep these tips in mind:

• Leave an overhang: Whether you line your pan with foil or parchment paper, make sure to leave an overhang so you can easily remove the brownies from the pan before cutting.
• Don't overmix: To avoid an overly dense result, avoid overmixing the batter.
• Chill before cutting: For the cleanest cuts.
• Don't overbake (or underbake): Bake just until a wooden pick inserted comes out with a few moist bits to avoid a dry result.
• Cool completely: Hot brownies and butter-based frostings do not mix. Cool completely before topping the brownies to keep your frosting from melting.
• Top decoratively: Use a small offset spatula to spread the frosting over the cooled brownies before slicing, or transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a round or star tip to decoratively top the brownie squares after cutting.

How To Store Red Velvet Brownies

Red velvet brownies, with their cream cheese topping, should be left out for no more than two hours while serving. Refrigerate leftovers for up to five days in an airtight container, or freeze for up to two months for longer storage. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

More Red Velvet-Inspired Dessert Recipes You'll Love

These red velvet-inspired cheesecake, cinnamon roll, cookie, cake, ice cream, and cobbler recipes take the iconic dessert in a whole new direction:

• Red Velvet Cheesecake
  
• Red Velvet Cake Balls
• Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
• Red Velvet-Raspberry Tiramisu Trifle
• Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
• Red Velvet Ice-Cream Cake
• Molten Red Velvet Cakes

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.