Red Velvet Brownies

These chewy, fudgy red velvet brownies have creamy cheesecake swirled throughout for the perfect indulgent treat. These decadent brownies are just as tasty as they are beautiful!

If you have been searching for an impressive dessert that doesn’t require a ton of effort, these red velvet brownies are the one!

The brownie batter is made with rich, dark cocoa and the beautiful red color is eye-catching. The sweet and tangy cheesecake swirl adds an extra layer of deliciousness and makes these brownies pop!

For more irresistible desserts, check out our Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls and Soft and Chewy Chai Cookies next!

Why You Will Love These Brownies

• They are showstopping! The beautiful red velvet brownie batter swirled with the rich, creamy cheesecake makes these brownies a dessert that is sure to impress your guests.
• They taste incredible! The brownie batter is rich and chocolaty and the cheesecake is creamy, sweet, and tangy. The flavors pair amazingly well and will keep you coming back for more.
• They are surprisingly easy to make! There are three simple parts to making these brownies - mix the brownie batter, then the cheesecake batter, and swirl them together in the pan!

Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe

Red Velvet Brownie Layer

• Melted butter. Mixed with the sugar to create the base for the brownie batter. I use unsalted butter but salted also works. Just omit any additional salt.
• Granulated sugar. To sweeten the brownies.
• Eggs. Room-temperature eggs are beaten with sugar and butter to give the brownies the perfect texture. The longer you beat the eggs, the more of a crackly top your brownies will have.
• Vanilla extract. For flavor and depth. Use good-quality vanilla for the best flavor!
• Dutch-processed cocoa powder. To add rich cocoa flavor that is less bitter than regular cocoa powder. I use Hershey's Special Dark. Regular cocoa powder can also be used. Just note that the brownies will have a lighter color.
• Salt. To enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Red food coloring. To create the beautiful red velvet color!
• Apple cider vinegar. This is a key ingredient in the brownies that give them their signature red velvet flavor.
• All-purpose flour. For soft and chewy brownies. Measure your flour properly by spooning and leveling.

Cheesecake Layer

• Cream cheese. For that signature sure tangy cheesecake flavor. Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature.
• Egg. To bind the ingredients and give the cheesecake the perfect texture.
• Granulated sugar. To sweeten the cheesecake batter.
• Vanilla extract. For extra flavor and depth. Use good-quality vanilla extract!

How To Make This Recipe

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8" baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the melted butter and sugar with an electric handheld mixer until light and fluffy. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add the eggs to the bowl and beat with the mixer until the mixture is slightly foamy and small bubbles start to appear. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Add the cocoa powder, red food coloring, vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar, and salt and mix on medium until the ingredients are well combined.
5. Scrape down the bowl, add the flour, and mix on medium until no more streaks of dry flour are visible. Do not overmix the batter.
6. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth it out into an even layer. Set the pan aside while you mix the cheesecake batter.
7. Add the softened cream cheese, egg, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract to a medium mixing bowl and beat with the handheld mixer until smooth and creamy.
8. Using a spoon, drop dollops of cheesecake batter on top of the brownie batter. Use a butter knife to swirl the cheesecake and brownie batters together.
9. Bake the brownies in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Check the brownies by inserting a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are done.

Variations and Substitutions

• Regular cocoa powder can be used instead of dutch processed cocoa powder. The flavor of regular cocoa powder is slightly more bitter and the brownies will have a lighter, more vibrant red color. The flavors will still be delicious!
• You may use a natural red food coloring instead of traditional red food color if you are avoiding artificial ingredients. Your brownies may have a less vibrant color depending on the food coloring you use.
• You may also omit the red food coloring entirely if you like. The flavor of the brownies will not change.

Is Red Velvet Just Chocolate with Red Food Coloring Added?

While red velvet flavor is very similar to the traditional chocolate flavor, there are some differences.

Red velvet flavor calls for less cocoa powder than traditional chocolate flavor, and of course, the red food coloring is added for the signature red color.

More FAQs

Recommended Tools For This Recipe

• Mixing bowls
• Electric handheld mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 8 x 8" baking pan
• Silicone spatula

More Irresistible Desserts You Will Love!

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• Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
• Cinnamon Roll Cookies
• Best Southern Pecan Pralines
• Southern Buttermilk Pie
• New Orleans Beignets
• Best Ever Bread Pudding
• Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake

📖 Recipe

Red Velvet Brownies

Ashley

These chewy, fudgy red velvet brownies have creamy cheesecake swirled throughout for the perfect indulgent treat. These decadent brownies are just as tasty as they are beautiful!

5 from 22 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Servings 16 servings

Calories 201 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  8 x 8 inch baking pan
• ▢
  Mixing bowls
• ▢
  Electric handheld mixer
• ▢
  Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Red Velvet Brownie Layer

• ▢ ½ cup butter unsalted, melted
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 large eggs room temperature
• ▢ ¼ cup dutch-processed cocoa powder
• ▢ 3 teaspoons red food coloring
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¾ cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled

Cheesecake Layer

• ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
• ▢ 1 large egg room temperature
• ▢ ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8" baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
• In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the melted butter and sugar with an electric handheld mixer until light and fluffy. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the eggs to the bowl and beat with the mixer until the mixture is slightly foamy and small bubbles start to appear. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the cocoa powder, red food coloring, vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar, and salt and mix on medium until the ingredients are well combined.
• Scrape down the bowl, add the flour, and mix on medium until no more streaks of dry flour are visible. Do not overmix the batter.
• Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth it out into an even layer. Set the pan aside while you mix the cheesecake batter.
• Add the softened cream cheese, egg, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract to a medium mixing bowl and beat with the handheld mixer until smooth and creamy.
• Using a spoon, drop dollops of cheesecake batter on top of the brownie batter. Use a butter knife to swirl the cheesecake and brownie batters together.
• Bake the brownies in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Check the brownies by inserting a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are done.

Notes

• Regular cocoa powder can be used instead of dutch processed cocoa powder. The flavor of regular cocoa powder is slightly more bitter and the brownies will have a lighter, more vibrant red color.
• You may use a natural red food coloring instead of traditional red food color if you are avoiding artificial ingredients. Your brownies may have a less vibrant color depending on the food coloring you use.
• Leftover brownies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownieCalories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 22.4gProtein: 3gFat: 11.8gSaturated Fat: 7.1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 0.6gSugar: 16.9gCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Keyword brownie cheesecake bars, brownies, cheesecake brownies, red velvet bars, red velvet brownies, red velvet cheesecake brownies

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