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Home » Recipes » All Recipes

Red Velvet Brownies

Published: Feb 5, 2023 by Voula with 2 Comments

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These luscious red velvet brownies are chewy, moist, and topped with cream cheese frosting! Perfect for Valentine's Day or special occasions.

A velvet brownie square on parchment paper topped with cream cheese frosting.

I love making these brownies on Valentine's Day, but I often make them throughout the year, too!

Jump to:
  • Why you’ll love these fudgy red velvet brownies
  • What are red velvet brownies made of?
  • What do these red velvet brownies taste like?
  • WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
  • Ingredients for the brownies
  • Equipment you'll need
  • HOW TO MAKE RED VELVET BROWNIES
  • Step-by-step Instructions
  • Ingredients for the cream cheese frosting
  • HOW TO MAKE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
  • Recipe Notes
  • Variations
  • TIPS FOR SUCCESS
  • FAQs
  • MORE BROWNIE RECIPES
  • Pairing
  • Recipe

I've always wanted to make red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting, so I adapted this recipe from my classic brownies recipe.

Knowing how to make red velvet brownies from scratch couldn't get any easier than this recipe. And these brownies are absolutely irresistible!

I think these are the best red velvet brownies and they taste so much better than brownies from a box mix.

Love brownies and bars? Try my ancient Greek sesame bars - Pasteli, my easy vegan fudge brownies, or my no bake pumpkin cheesecake brownies.

Why you’ll love these fudgy red velvet brownies

  • They're quick and simple. These easy red velvet brownies are pretty quick and ready in less than an hour.
  • They're pretty. These brownies have a gorgeous deep red color that are great for special occasions, like Valentine's Day. 
  • They taste amazing. These red velvet cream cheese brownies are so delicious. It's hard to just eat one piece.

What are red velvet brownies made of?

Red velvet brownies include a variety of ingredients like cocoa powder, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, red food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract. They are rich and dense with a characteristic red color. Many recipes, like mine, also have a yummy cream cheese frosting for a creamier texture and a tangy flavor.  

A stack of red velvet brownies on a piece of parchment paper.

What do these red velvet brownies taste like?

These red velvet cheesecake brownies are dense and chewy with a touch of cocoa, yet they're not overly sweet. The slightly tangy cream cheese frosting on the top is the most notable flavor that is perfect with these brownies.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Ingredients for the brownies

Labeled ingredients for red velvet brownies.
Just a few simple ingredients!
  • Butter: I use unsalted butter, melted.
  • Sugar: I use regular granulated sugar for the brownies and powdered sugar for the cream cheese frosting.
  • Eggs: I use 2 medium organic eggs.
  • Flour & leaveners: I use all purpose flour and baking soda.
  • Vinegar: I use white vinegar, but you could also use apple cider vinegar, instead.
  • Cocoa powder: I use unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Vanilla: I use pure vanilla extract.
  • Salt: A little bit of salt enhances all the flavors.
  • Red Food coloring: For this recipe, I used Wilton Red Red gel food color.

See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.

Equipment you'll need

  • large mixing bowls
  • hand mixer (or stand mixer)
  • an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) or 9x9 (23x23 cm) inch baking pan
  • parchment paper

HOW TO MAKE RED VELVET BROWNIES

Step-by-step Instructions

This easy red velvet brownies recipe is really simple to follow.

First, make the red velvet brownie batter.

Whisking together dry ingredients for red velvet brownies in a mixing bowl.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda. Set it aside.

Mixing melted butter and sugar together with a hand mixer in a mixing bowl.

In another bowl, beat the sugar and the melted butter together until well combined.

Mixing red food coloring into egg mixture with a hand mixer.

Add the vanilla, eggs, vinegar and food coloring and mix until everything is well incorporated.

Mixing dry ingredients in a mixing bowl with a hand mixer.

Add the dry ingredients and mix until everything is thoroughly combined and there are no more streaks of flour. Don't overmix.

Unbaked red velvet brownie batter in a square baking pan lined with parchment paper.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan and even out the top.

Baked red velvet brownies in a baking pan lined with parchment paper.

Then you bake the brownies and let them cool completely before cutting. 

TOP TIP

The color of your brownies will depend on the food coloring you use, liquid or gel. Gel food coloring is very concentrated so you'll need less compared to liquid food coloring.

Although totally optional, I highly recommend topping these brownies with cream cheese frosting! It's so good!

Ingredients for the cream cheese frosting

Labeled ingredients for cream cheese frosting.
Just 4 ingredients!
  • Butter: I use unsalted butter.
  • Cream cheese: I use full fat cream cheese.
  • Powdered sugar: I prefer using confectioner's sugar so the frosting isn't gritty.
  • Vanilla: I use pure vanilla extract.

HOW TO MAKE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Beating butter with a hand mixer in a mixing bowl.

Beat the butter until it's really smooth and fluffy.

Beating powdered sugar and butter with a hand mixer in a mixing bowl.

Then gradually add the powdered sugar. I do it in 3 batches.  

Beating cream cheese with butter mixture with a hand mixer.

Then add the cream cheese and vanilla and beat until it's just combined.

Close up of cream cheese frosting on a spatula over a mixing bowl.

The consistency of this frosting is perfect! 

A close up of a hand holding a red velvet brownie with cream cheese on top.

Recipe Notes

Storage Tips

Store these brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to about 5 days.

Freezing Instructions

These brownies freeze well, with or without the cream cheese frosting! Wrap them in plastic wrap and then place them in freezer bags. They can be frozen for up to about 2 months. To thaw, let them sit in the refrigerator overnight.

Variations

Red velvet oreo brownies

Place half of the batter in the pan and then add a layer of oreo cookies on top. Then spread the remaining batter over the cookies.

Red velvet cheesecake brownies from scratch

Make the cheesecake mixture by mixing together 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, 1 whole egg, and ¼ cup (50g) sugar with a hand mixer. Top the brownie batter with spoonfuls of cheesecake filling. Use a knife to create swirls all over the top. Then bake as instructed.

Add-ins & Toppings

  • If you like sweeter brownies, you can add some white chocolate chips to the batter or sprinkle them on top before baking.
  • For more texture, add some chopped nuts.
  • For even more indulgent brownies, drizzle some homemade chocolate syrup, homemade salted caramel sauce, or some melted Lotus Biscoff spread on top before serving.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

  • Use a digital scale. For best results, I suggest weighing all the ingredients with a digital scale.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Otherwise, the brownies could get really dense and tough.
  • You can omit the food coloring if you don't want red brownies, they'll still taste great!
  • Don't overbake the brownies. The longer you bake them, the drier they get.
Red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting on top on white plates.

FAQs

What is red velvet flavor?

Although there is cocoa powder in these brownies, they don't really have a rich chocolate flavor, like classic brownies, but more of a lighter cocoa flavor.

What is the secret to moist brownies?

I think using melted butter and not overbaking the brownies really helps make them moist.

How can I make my brownies more fudgy than cakey?

The secret is NOT overbaking them. They get drier and cakier when they're baked longer.

Happy baking!

MORE BROWNIE RECIPES

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • Vegan pumpkin brownies on a wire rack with a pumpkin and cinnamon sticks in the background.
    Vegan Pumpkin Brownies
  • chocolate cherry brownies on a plate with a cherry on top
    Chocolate Cherry Brownies (Easy + Tips)
  • A stack of three classic homemade brownie squares next to chunks of chocolate and brownies.
    Easy Bakery Style Brownies
  • Biscoff blondies on a white plate with biscoff cookies and biscoff spread in the background.
    Biscoff Blondies

Pairing

These are my favorite recipes to serve with these red velvet brownies:

  • Salted caramel pretzel ice cream in a glass with a jar of caramel in the background.
    Salted Caramel Pretzel Ice Cream (No Churn)
  • Mint oreo ice cream on two ice cream cones on a gray and white surface next to oreo cookies, mint leaves and an ice cream scoop.
    Mint Oreo Ice Cream (Easy, No Churn)
  • No churn strawberry ice cream in a glass bowl on a pink surface.
    Easy Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker (+ Tips)
  • Two ice cream cones with vanilla ice cream in a glass.
    Easy No-churn Vanilla Ice Cream (+Secret Ingredient)

Let me know how these red velvet brownies turn out for you in the comments below! I'd love to hear from you!

Recipe

A velvet brownie square on parchment paper topped with cream cheese frosting.

Red Velvet Brownies

These luscious red velvet brownies are chewy, moist, and topped with cream cheese frosting! Perfect for Valentine's Day or special occasions.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate SaveSaved! Share by Email
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 44 minutes minutes
Servings: 16 , approximately
Author: Voula
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Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • hand mixer (or stand mixer)
  • an 8x8 inch (20X20 cm) or 9x9 inch (23x23 cm) baking pan
  • parchment paper

Ingredients

For the brownies

  • 2 cups (250g) all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup (25 g / 0.9 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup (226g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ¼ cups (250g) sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 medium eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons red gel food coloring (I use Wilton Red Red Gel Food Coloring)

For the cream cheese frosting

  • 4 oz / 113g cream cheese, full-fat
  • ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 ½-3 cups (300g-400g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Note:

For best results, please read through the full post before beginning the recipe.

Instructions

Make the brownies

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C.
  • Line the pan with parchment paper. Set it aside.
  • Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Set it aside.
  • In another bowl, beat the sugar and the melted butter together until well combined.
  • Add the vanilla, eggs, vinegar and food coloring and mix until everything is well incorporated.
  • Add the dry ingredients and mix until everything is thoroughly combined and there are no more streaks of flour. Don't overmix.
  • Spread the batter into the prepared pan and even out the top. 
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let the brownies cool completely before cutting into squares.

Make the cream cheese frosting

  • Beat the butter on high speed until it's light, fluffy and smooth.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar in 3 batches. Beat on high for a few minutes until the mixture is light and creamy. Scrape the bowl a few times in between as needed.
  • Add the cream cheese and vanilla and beat until it's combined. Don't beat it too long, or it could get runny.
  • Use a small spoon or a pastry bag to frost the cooled brownies.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Storage Tips
Store these brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to about 5 days.
Freezing Instructions
These brownies freeze well, with or without the cream cheese frosting! Wrap them in plastic wrap and then place them in freezer bags. They can be frozen for up to about 2 months. To thaw, let them sit in the refrigerator overnight.
Picture Tutorial & Tips
I have a detailed picture tutorial in my post to help you out with each step of the recipe as well as lots of tips to ensure success.
Baking Measurements
I have used weight measurements for all the recipes on this website. Even though I have also included American volume measurements for convenience, I highly recommend using a digital kitchen scale to weigh all ingredients for the most accurate measurements. Digital kitchen scales are more precise than cups, which is so important in baking, and they give the most accurate, consistent results. Happy baking!
©Pastry Wishes
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below & tag me on Instagram @pastry.wishes !
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katerina

    February 14, 2023 at 9:25 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing!

    Reply
    • Voula

      February 15, 2023 at 7:11 am

      Thank you! I'm so glad the recipe was a success!☺️

      Reply
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Hi! I'm Voula!

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I’m a self-taught baker, recipe developer and aspiring food photographer with a passion for baking. I believe making desserts from scratch doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated. Learn more about me ...

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