Red Velvet Brownies

The Best Fudgy Red Velvet Brownies (with Cream Cheese Frosting!)

There are few desserts as alluring and iconic as Red Velvet. That stunning, deep red hue, the delicate hint of chocolate, and that signature tangy finish—it’s pure elegance. But a full layer cake can be a major project. So what happens when you take all of that sophisticated charm and pack it into the rich, chewy, and easy-to-make format of a brownie? Pure, decadent magic. That’s what.

Welcome to my recipe for the ultimate Red Velvet Brownies. This is the dessert that will stop everyone in their tracks. We’re talking about a stunningly vibrant, chewy, and fudgy red velvet brownie base with delicate notes of both vanilla and cocoa. Then, to make it a true masterpiece, we crown it with a thick, luscious, and perfectly tangy cream cheese frosting.

This is the best of both worlds—the flavor of the iconic cake you love, with the dense, satisfying chew of a perfect brownie. It’s a surprisingly simple recipe that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end bakery, and it’s the perfect showstopper for any special occasion or a cozy autumn evening here in Cologne.

Red Velvet Brownies

The Iconic Cake, Reimagined

 

What is Red Velvet flavor, anyway? It’s one of the most debated topics in the baking world! It’s not quite chocolate, and it’s not quite vanilla. A true Red Velvet gets its signature, delicate flavor and “velvety” crumb from the chemical reaction between acidic ingredients like buttermilk and vinegar, a very small amount of cocoa powder, and baking soda. This creates a wonderfully soft texture and a very subtle, tangy chocolate flavor that is completely unique.

This recipe takes that classic flavor profile and translates it into a denser, chewier brownie format. The result is a brownie that’s rich and fudgy, but with a lighter, more complex flavor than a straight chocolate brownie. The tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting isn’t just a topping; it’s an essential part of the experience, providing the perfect cool and creamy contrast.

Why You’ll Adore This Red Velvet Brownie Recipe:

  • A Stunning, Vibrant Red Color: These brownies are a true showstopper. Their beautiful, deep red color makes them perfect for holidays like Christmas or Valentine’s Day, or any time you want to impress.
  • The Perfect Texture: This isn’t a cake, and it isn’t a super-dense brownie. It’s the perfect fudgy, chewy hybrid that is incredibly satisfying.
  • Classic Tangy Cream Cheese Frosting: The luscious, tangy frosting is the absolute perfect pairing for the unique Red Velvet flavor. It’s a non-negotiable!
  • Easier Than a Layer Cake: You get all the iconic flavor and beauty of a Red Velvet layer cake, but in a simple, no-fuss, easy-to-slice bar format.

 

Ingredients & Equipment

 

For the Red Velvet Brownies:

  • Unsalted Butter: 115g (½ cup), melted.
  • Granulated Sugar: 200g (1 cup).
  • Eggs: 2 large, at room temperature.
  • Buttermilk (Buttermilch): 60 ml (¼ cup), at room temperature.
  • White Vinegar (weißer Essig): 1 teaspoon.
  • Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons.
  • Red Gel Food Coloring: 1-2 teaspoons, or until desired color is reached.
  • All-Purpose Flour: 125g (1 cup).
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (Backkakao): 2 tablespoons.
  • Baking Soda (Natron): ½ teaspoon.
  • Salt: ½ teaspoon.
  • Optional: 1 cup white chocolate chips.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • Full-Fat Block Cream Cheese (Frischkäse, Doppelrahmstufe): 225g (8 oz), at room temperature.
  • Unsalted Butter: 60g (4 tablespoons), softened.
  • Powdered Sugar (Puderzucker): 120g (1 cup), sifted.
  • Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon.

Helpful Equipment:

  • An 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) or 9×9 inch square baking pan.
  • An electric hand mixer (or a stand mixer) for the frosting.

Red Velvet Brownies

Time Estimates

 

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Bake Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Chilling Time: At least 1 hour (for the frosting to set)
  • Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes (with inactive cooling and chilling time)

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

 

Let’s bake these beautiful brownies!

Part 1: Making the Red Velvet Brownies

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease your square baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to lift the brownies out later.

Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition.

Step 3: Whisk in the buttermilk, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and the red gel food coloring. Continue to whisk until the color is uniform and vibrant.

Step 4: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 5: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. If you’re using white chocolate chips, gently fold them in now.

Step 6: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Part 2: The Cream Cheese Frosting & Assembly

Step 1: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the room temperature cream cheese and softened butter together until completely smooth and free of lumps.

Step 2: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar until it’s incorporated. Add the vanilla extract, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 2-3 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Step 3: Spread the frosting evenly over the top of the completely cooled brownies.

Step 4: Place the frosted brownies in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the frosting to set firmly before slicing and serving. This is key for clean cuts!

 

Notes, Tips & Variations

 

  • Getting That Vibrant Red: For a truly deep, vibrant red color, I highly recommend using a concentrated gel food coloring. Liquid food coloring from the supermarket is less potent and can add too much extra liquid to your batter.
  • Room Temperature is Everything for Frosting: The secret to a perfectly smooth, lump-free cream cheese frosting is ensuring your block cream cheese and butter are both properly softened to room temperature before you start mixing.
  • Clean Slices, Every Time: For those beautiful, neat squares, it’s essential to let the brownies cool completely and then to chill them after frosting. Use a large, sharp knife, and wipe the blade clean with a warm, damp cloth between each cut.
  • Festive Decorations: To make these even prettier, you can save a few tablespoons of the brownie batter before baking. After frosting the cooled brownies, dollop the reserved batter on top and use a skewer to create a red swirl in the white frosting. You can also garnish with festive sprinkles!
Red Velvet Brownies

The Best Fudgy Red Velvet Brownies

These Fudgy Red Velvet Brownies are a show-stopping dessert that's surprisingly simple to make. A vibrant, chewy, and moist red velvet brownie base with delicate hints of vanilla and cocoa is topped with a thick, tangy, and lusciously smooth cream cheese frosting. It's the perfect, elegant fusion of the classic cake and a fudgy brownie.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 290 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Brownies:
  • 115 g ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 200 g 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temp
  • 60 ml ¼ cup buttermilk, room temp
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tsp red gel food coloring
  • 125 g 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Frosting:
  • 225 g 8 oz full-fat block cream cheese, room temp
  • 60 g 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 120 g 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Prep: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a square baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Mix Wet: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar. Whisk in eggs. Then, whisk in buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and red food coloring.
  • Combine: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
  • Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool completely.
  • Make Frosting: With an electric mixer, beat the room temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, then the vanilla, until light and fluffy.
  • Frost & Chill: Spread the frosting over the completely cooled brownies. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the frosting to set.
  • Serve: Lift from the pan using the parchment overhangs, slice into squares, and serve.

Notes

Notes / Tips & Variations:
  • For the smoothest frosting, your cream cheese and butter must be at room temperature.
  • Chilling the frosted brownies is essential for clean, neat slices.
  • Add 1 cup of white chocolate chips to the batter for an extra decadent treat.
Keyword Red Velvet Brownies

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

1. What is Red Velvet flavor actually supposed to taste like? It’s a wonderful and unique flavor! It’s not a strong chocolate flavor, but rather a very mild, buttermilk-vanilla flavor with just a hint of cocoa in the background. The most important characteristic is a subtle tang from the buttermilk and vinegar, which is why the sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting is its perfect partner.

2. Do I have to use so much food coloring? Can I use a natural alternative? To get that classic, vibrant red, a good quality gel food coloring is necessary. You can absolutely make the recipe without it—you will have delicious, light-cocoa “Brown Velvet” brownies! Natural alternatives like beet powder can be used, but they often impart a slight earthy flavor and will result in a more muted, brownish-red color after baking.

3. How do I get my cream cheese frosting so smooth and not lumpy? The number one, most important rule is to make sure your block of cream cheese and your butter are both properly softened to room temperature. Cold cream cheese is impossible to beat into a smooth consistency and will always leave little lumps. I take mine out of the fridge at least an hour before I start.

4. How should I store these Red Velvet Brownies? Because of the cream cheese frosting, these brownies must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They are actually fantastic served chilled! They will keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days.

 

Ready to Bake Something Beautiful?

 

These Red Velvet Brownies are such a joy to make and even more of a joy to eat. They are the perfect way to bring a little bit of elegance and fun to your dessert table. I hope you love them! If you make a batch, I would be so happy if you left a comment and a star rating below.

For more beautiful and delicious baking inspiration, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram. Enjoy every single bite! And try my Mini Brownies.

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