Red Velvet Brownies Recipe

The Irresistible Red Velvet Brownies Recipe for Sweet Moments

Crafting red velvet brownies brings pure magic to your dessert repertoire.

Decadent chocolate meets vibrant crimson hues in this irresistible treat.

Creamy textures blend with rich cocoa undertones, creating a sensational experience.

Sweet layers of flavor dance across your palate with each delightful bite.

Luxurious ingredients combine to produce a dessert that feels both classic and innovative.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over these indulgent squares that promise pure bliss.

You won’t be able to resist trying this spectacular recipe right now.

Why Red Velvet Brownies Are Worth It

  • Create Stunning Dessert: Transform ordinary brownies into a showstopping red velvet masterpiece that wows guests with its vibrant color and decadent taste.
  • Bake with Minimal Skill: Perfect for beginner bakers, this recipe requires basic mixing techniques and simple ingredients anyone can handle without professional training.
  • Customize Your Treat: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting food coloring intensity or adding creative toppings like chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed nuts for personalized flair.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Celebration Dessert: Ideal for parties, potlucks, and special occasions where you want a dessert that looks impressive and tastes incredible, guaranteeing compliments from everyone.

Ingredients Needed For Red Velvet Brownies

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key component that provides structure and texture to the red velvet brownies.
  • Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the brownie base.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the brownies.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the brownies rise and creates a light, tender crumb.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates a rich, smooth base for the brownie batter.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the brownie's texture.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the brownies.
  • Vegetable Oil: Contributes to the moistness and softness of the brownies.
  • Red Food Coloring: Gives the signature vibrant red color to the red velvet brownies.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall flavor.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar: Create a smooth, creamy topping that complements the rich brownie base.

Simple Steps For Red Velvet Brownies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Get your oven warmed up to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting it hang slightly over the edges for easy brownie removal later.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Salt
  • Baking powder

Blend until everything looks perfectly combined and set the bowl aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks absolutely dreamy. This should take around 3 minutes of mixing.

Step 4: Create Vibrant Batter

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then blend in:
  • Vegetable oil
  • Red food coloring
  • Vanilla extract

Keep mixing until your batter turns a gorgeous crimson color.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir carefully to keep the batter smooth and velvety – don’t overmix!

Step 6: Spread the Batter

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, making sure the surface looks uniform and tempting.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out with just a few crumbs clinging to it.

Step 8: Cool Down

Remove from the oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan. This takes about an hour, so be patient!

Step 9: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

In a bowl, whip cream cheese and powdered sugar until the frosting becomes smooth and spreadable.

Step 10: Frost and Serve

Once the brownies are totally cool, spread the cream cheese frosting across the top. Slice into squares and get ready to enjoy your delectable Red Velvet Brownies!

Helpful Tips For Red Velvet Brownies

  • Preserve Vibrant Color: Use gel food coloring for a more intense red hue that doesn't water down the batter.
  • Prevent Dry Brownies: Do not overbake; remove from oven when toothpick has a few moist crumbs to ensure fudgy texture.
  • Check Ingredient Temperature: Use room temperature eggs and butter for smoother batter and better ingredient integration.
  • Slice with Precision: Clean knife between cuts with hot water for neat, sharp brownie squares that look professionally made.
  • Store for Freshness: Keep brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended shelf life.

Red Velvet Brownies Flavor Options

  • Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Brownies: Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter before baking for extra chocolatey richness and melty pockets of goodness.
  • Nutty Red Velvet Brownies: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the batter before baking, adding a crunchy texture and nutty flavor contrast.
  • Cream Cheese Swirl Red Velvet Brownies: Create a marbled effect by dropping dollops of cream cheese mixture onto the batter and swirling with a knife before baking.
  • White Chocolate Drizzle Red Velvet Brownies: After cooling, drizzle melted white chocolate over the frosted brownies for an elegant and decadent finish.

Pairing Ideas For Red Velvet Brownies

  • Elevate Flavor Companions: Rich Cream Cheese Wine Pairing
  • Uncork a glass of sweet port wine to complement the decadent red velvet brownies. The dessert wine's caramel and berry undertones beautifully match the brownie's sweet cream cheese frosting, creating a luxurious tasting experience.
  • Contrasting Coffee Companion: Bold Espresso Match
  • Brew a strong espresso or dark roast coffee alongside these brownies. The intense coffee's bitter notes will cut through the brownie's sweetness, balancing the rich chocolate and creating a harmonious flavor profile that enhances both the drink and dessert.
  • Creamy Milk Indulgence: Chilled Dairy Delight
  • Serve cold whole milk or vanilla almond milk with the brownies.

How To Keep Red Velvet Brownies Tasty

  • Store cooled red velvet brownies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
  • Wrap individual brownies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 3 months, preserving their rich flavor and soft texture.
  • Keep brownies at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days if you plan to consume them quickly. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
  • Separate frosted and unfrosted brownies when storing. Cream cheese frosting can become soggy, so store frosting separately and apply just before serving for best taste and presentation.

Red Velvet Brownies Frequently Asked Questions

  • What gives red velvet brownies their distinctive color?

The vibrant red color comes from red food coloring, which is added to the batter to create the classic red velvet appearance and enhance the visual appeal of the brownies.

  • How can I tell if the brownies are fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies – it should come out with a few moist crumbs. If it comes out completely clean, the brownies might be overdone and could become dry.

  • Can I make these brownies without food coloring?

Yes, you can omit the food coloring, but this will change the traditional red velvet look. The brownies will taste the same but appear more like a standard chocolate brownie.

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Red Velvet Brownies Recipe

Red Velvet Brownies Recipe


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4.9 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Indulgent red velvet brownies bring Southern charm to classic chocolate desserts with their luxurious crimson hue and rich cream cheese swirl. Chocolate lovers will savor each dense, velvety bite that promises pure dessert bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup red food coloring
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese (for frosting)
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.
  2. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl until uniformly combined and set aside.
  3. Cream butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
  4. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then blend in vegetable oil, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until mixture achieves a vibrant crimson hue.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to prevent overmixing and maintain a smooth, velvety texture.
  6. Transfer batter into prepared baking pan, spreading evenly with a spatula and ensuring uniform thickness across the surface.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges with minimal crumbs.
  8. Remove from oven and allow brownies to cool completely in the pan for approximately 1 hour.
  9. Prepare cream cheese frosting by whipping cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable.
  10. Once brownies are cooled, spread frosting evenly across the top, then slice into squares and serve.

Notes

  • Prevent Dry Brownies by avoiding overmixing the batter, which can develop gluten and create a tough texture.
  • Achieve Vibrant Color by using gel food coloring instead of liquid, ensuring a more intense and consistent red hue without watering down the batter.
  • Customize Frosting Consistency by adjusting powdered sugar quantity, making it thicker for precise piping or thinner for smooth spreading.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation possible by substituting all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the brownie’s rich texture and flavor.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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