There’s something magic about the rich, velvety crumb of these brownies paired with that tangy, luscious cream cheese frosting. I absolutely love how this Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe brings together the best of both worlds—a fudgy, chocolatey base with that classic red velvet charm and the creamy frosting that just melts in your mouth.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance: The brownies are fudgy but not too dense, paired with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting that cuts through the richness beautifully.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything on hand, and the recipe doesn’t require complicated steps.
- Versatile and Fun: Whether it’s for a holiday, birthday, or just because, these brownies impress every time.
- Great for Sharing: My family goes crazy for these—and trust me, they don’t last long around here!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient plays a special role in making these Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe truly shine. From the rich cocoa to the tang of vinegar, it’s a perfect harmony of flavors—and I always urge you to use the best quality ingredients you can find.
- Unsalted Butter: Melting it gives the brownies that tender crumb and rich flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure yet keeps the brownies soft.
- Cornstarch: A secret weapon for a softer, more tender bite.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors without being salty.
- Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder: Brings the chocolate depth without overpowering the velvet texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetness and moisture that balances cocoa’s bitterness.
- Large Eggs & Egg Yolk: Help bind everything and add richness; using an extra yolk makes a difference.
- Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and chewiness without heaviness, unlike butter alone.
- White Vinegar: Essential for that classic red velvet tang and activates the baking ingredients.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavors perfectly.
- Red Gel Food Coloring: Gives the signature, vibrant red color without watering down the batter like liquid coloring.
- Cream Cheese: Softened for the frosting’s signature tang and creamy texture.
- Powdered Sugar: The sweet, smooth base for frosting that whips right up.
- Optional Salt and Milk or Heavy Cream: To balance sweetness and thin the frosting to your ideal spreadability.
Variations
I love playing around with this Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe! Feel free to experiment a bit—you’ll find it’s super forgiving and adaptable to your taste and dietary needs.
- No Food Coloring: I sometimes make these without the red gel, focusing just on the cocoa flavor for a rich chocolate brownie twist.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend—you’ll need to add a little extra cornstarch or xanthan gum for the perfect texture.
- Frosting Flavors: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest to the cream cheese frosting gives a lovely, subtle twist that I highly recommend trying for holidays.
- Nuts or Chocolate Chips: Toss in some chopped pecans or white chocolate chips to the batter for added texture and those delightful surprises while eating.
How to Make Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining an 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper—trust me, this step saves you from a cakey mess when removing brownies later. Then, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and cocoa powder in a bowl. Mixing these dry ingredients separately ensures even distribution, so your brownies turn out perfectly uniform every time.
Step 2: Whip the Wet Ingredients Till Fluffy
In a stand or hand mixer, beat the melted (and cooled!) butter with sugar, eggs, and egg yolk for about a minute until the mixture is light and pale yellow. This step is key—it traps air to make your brownies tender and slightly cakey on the edges while keeping them fudgy inside.
Step 3: Add the Oil, Vinegar, and Vanilla
Next, drizzle in your vegetable oil, white vinegar, and vanilla extract while mixing on low. The vinegar reacts subtly with the cocoa powder and baking ingredients, giving you that signature velvety texture and tangy note.
Step 4: Combine Everything with the Red Color
Slowly add the dry ingredient mix and the red gel food coloring to your wet mixture and stir until just combined. I usually use gel coloring because it gives that rich red hue without thinning the batter—plus, a little goes a long way!
Step 5: Bake and Cool Completely
Pour your batter into the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes (glass pan) or 30-35 minutes (metal pan). When a toothpick comes out clean, you’re done! If you prefer brownies slightly less fudgy and a bit chewier, leave them in for 40-45 minutes. Cooling them completely before frosting is crucial—I’ve learned the hard way that frosting melts too easily on warm brownies.
Step 6: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until fluffy—about 1-2 minutes. Then add vanilla and powdered sugar, starting with 2 cups and slowly adding more until you reach your preferred sweetness and consistency. If it’s too thick, a splash of milk or heavy cream smooths it out beautifully. I also sometimes add a tiny pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
Step 7: Frost and Chill Before Serving
Spread the frosting evenly over cooled brownies. For those perfectly clean slices, pop the frosted brownies in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. A sharp knife that’s wiped clean after each cut makes slicing a breeze without dragging frosting around.
Pro Tips for Making Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Butter Cooling Time: Always let the melted butter cool before mixing it with eggs; hot butter can cook the eggs and cause your batter to curdle.
- Perfect Red Hue: Using gel food coloring rather than liquid keeps the batter consistency right and ensures a vibrant red without dilution.
- Mixing Technique: Don’t overmix after adding flour—just combine until no streaks remain to keep brownies tender.
- Frosting Spread: If your frosting feels too soft, chill it briefly in the fridge before spreading—it makes smoothing much easier.
How to Serve Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few chocolate shavings on top for a bit of extra flair. Sometimes, I sprinkle crushed pecans or candied cranberries for a festive touch that adds a lovely crunch and flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
These brownies go surprisingly well with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For drinks, a hot cup of coffee or even a mug of warm milk complements the cream cheese frosting beautifully and balances the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve layered these brownies in a trifle bowl alternating with whipped cream and crushed red velvet cake crumbs for an impressive dessert centerpiece. Another fun idea? Cutting them into heart shapes for Valentine’s Day—my kids adore those!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover brownies in an airtight container in the fridge—they stay moist and fresh for up to 4 days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigeration helps keep the cream cheese frosting stable and delicious.
Freezing
Freezing works great if you want to make these ahead. I slice the brownies first, freeze them flat on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When you want a treat, just thaw at room temperature, and they taste almost fresh-baked.
Reheating
If you want to warm up a brownie slice, remove the frosting first (it’s best chilled), heat the brownie briefly in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, then add fresh frosting or enjoy plain—it’s a little taste of heaven.
FAQs
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Can I use liquid red food coloring instead of gel?
You can, but gel food coloring is preferable because it won’t affect the batter’s consistency and provides a more vibrant red color without watering down the brownies.
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Why is there vinegar in this Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe?
The vinegar reacts with baking ingredients and cocoa powder to enhance flavor and create the characteristic tangy note in red velvet treats, plus it helps keep the texture tender.
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Can I make the brownies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and add a little extra cornstarch or xanthan gum to maintain that tender texture.
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How long do these brownies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days, thanks to the cream cheese frosting needing refrigeration.
Final Thoughts
This Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen—it’s reliably delicious every time and always impresses guests. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do and find it brings as many smiles to your table as it does to mine. Give it a try, and let me know when you do—we’re basically brownies besties now!
Print
Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting combine the rich, fudgy texture of classic brownies with the distinctive flavor and vibrant color of red velvet. Topped with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting, this dessert is perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful twist on traditional brownies.
Ingredients
Red Velvet Brownies
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ¾ cup (90g) all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup (28g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 1 ¼ cups (248g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- ¼ cup (59ml) vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp red gel food coloring
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz (114g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–4 cups (227-454g) powdered sugar
- optional: 1/8 tsp salt and dash of milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper for easy brownie removal.
- Melt butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Set aside to cool while you prepare the dry ingredients.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and cocoa powder until well combined.
- Beat wet ingredients: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and egg yolk for 60 seconds until pale yellow and doubled in volume.
- Add remaining wet ingredients: Add the vegetable oil, white vinegar, and vanilla extract. Continue mixing on low speed until incorporated.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients and the red gel food coloring to the wet mixture, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Bake the brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35 minutes if using a glass pan or 30 minutes if using a metal pan, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For chewier brownies, bake for up to 45 minutes. Let the brownies cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until whipped and fluffy.
- Add vanilla and sugar to frosting: Add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar (along with optional salt). Beat on low speed for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides, until fully incorporated. If the frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk or heavy cream and beat until creamy.
- Frost the brownies: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. For clean slices, place brownies in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before cutting. Use a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean after each cut for best results.
Notes
- Using parchment paper in the pan ensures easy removal of brownies without sticking.
- For a richer cocoa flavor, ensure using natural unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Adjust powdered sugar in the frosting to your preferred sweetness and consistency.
- Adding a small amount of vinegar enhances the red velvet flavor and helps leaven the brownies.
- Let brownies cool completely before frosting to prevent frosting from melting.
- Freezing the frosted brownies before cutting helps achieve clean slices and prevents the frosting from smearing.
- Use a sharp knife and clean it after each slice to keep edges neat.
