Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

If you’re a fan of the rich, velvety goodness that is the classic red velvet cake, get ready to fall head over heels for these delectable red velvet brownies. My very favorite dessert is my Grandma’s Old Fashioned Red Velvet Cake with cooked icing of course…but these red velvet brownies might be a close second.

This step-by-step recipe will guide you to make these homemade red velvet brownies full of chocolatey goodness. And as if that’s not enough, they are topped with the most amazing cream cheese frosting that takes these brownies to a whole new level. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or simply a sweet treat, these fudgy red velvet brownies are sure to impress. The red brownies make the perfect Valentine’s Day or Christmas Treat.

I’ll share the step-by-step instructions and my tips to ensure that you end up with brownies that are perfectly moist and irresistible. From mixing the red velvet brownie batter to making the most delicious cream cheese frosting recipe, this guide will help you achieve bakery worthy brownies in your own kitchen. 

What You Will Need-Grocery List

• unsalted butter
• granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• vanilla extract
• liquid red food coloring or red gel food coloring
• all-purpose flour
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• salt
• cream cheese 
• powdered sugar
• 8×8 or 9×9 square baking pan
• parchment paper
• piping bag for icing-optional
• heart shaped cookie cutter-optional

Making the Red Velvet Brownies

•  Preheat your oven to 350°F  and line a 8×8 or 9×9 inch square pan with parchment paper.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (all purpose flour, salt and cocoa) and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the melted butter and granulated sugar with a hand mixer on medium speed. Mix until well combined.
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring, mixing until batter is a deep red color.
• Mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined. Do not over mix.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Do not over bake!
• Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the baking dish before adding the frosting.

Tips for the Best Brownies

To ensure that your red velvet brownies turn out moist and delicious, here are a few tips:

• Don’t over mix the batter: Over mixing can lead to tough brownies. Mix the ingredients until they are just combined for a tender texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients: Pull out the butter, eggs, and cream cheese from the refrigerator ahead of time to bring them to room temperature. This will help the ingredients incorporate smoothly and evenly.
• Don’t over bake: Brownies continue to cook as they cool, so it’s important to remove them from the oven when they still have a few moist crumbs on the toothpick. This will result in a moist and fudgy texture.

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Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting

For the perfect finishing touch to these decadent red velvet brownies, do not skip adding the cream cheese icing! Here’s what you’ll need for the best fluffy cream cheese frosting:

• 4oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Making the Cream Cheese Frosting

• In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
• Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Once the brownies have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese icing evenly over the top.

Icing the Brownies

Now for the best part, adding the cream cheese icing! Carefully lift the cooled brownies out of the baking dish using the parchment paper as handles. Place the brownies on the counter and evenly spread the cream cheese icing over the top and then cut into desired size pieces. Or, you can also use a cookie cutter (like shown in my photo) to make heart shaped brownies perfect for Valentine’s Day!

If you choose to cut out the brownies, I found it easier to ice them by using a piping bag. You can add the icing to a bag and just cut the tip to make it very easy to quickly ice the heart shaped brownie. To be even a little more extra, you can sprinkle some red velvet brownie crumbs on top of the icing.

Storing the Brownies

These red velvet brownies are best enjoyed fresh, but they can also be stored for a few days if needed. To store them, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer the brownies to an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you are icing the brownies, it’s best to keep them in the fridge! 

Final Thoughts-Save this Recipe!

Yay! You’ve just made the best red velvet brownies with cream cheese icing EVER! Now don’t forget to save this recipe for next time! You can print out the recipe card which I’ve included below or save this recipe to Pinterest. I’m sure this perfect red velvet brownie recipe will land a permanent spot in the family cookbook, just as it has in mine. I hope you love these brownies as much as we do! Enjoy!