If you’re ready to indulge your senses, Decadent Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting are a dream come true. Imagine rich, moist, ruby-red brownies with a gorgeous crackly top, all topped off by a silky blanket of tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting. These brownies combine the classic flavors of red velvet cake with the fudginess of your favorite brownie, creating a show-stopping dessert that’s both nostalgic and totally irresistible. Whether it’s for a special occasion or a “just because” treat at home, this recipe is easy to follow, yet fancy enough to make anyone feel special!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Decadent Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting comes from simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that shine in every bite. Each component brings something crucial—flavor, texture, or that signature red velvet charm—so don’t skip a thing!
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds rich flavor and the perfect fudgy texture to your brownies—using unsalted lets you control the salt balance.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the brownies and helps create that classic chewy top.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to that luscious, tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances both the red velvet flavor and the cream cheese frosting with lovely aromatics.
- Red food coloring: Gives these brownies their signature, eye-catching hue—gel or liquid both work.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Lends depth and a hint of chocolatey drama, balancing out the sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure, keeping brownies fudgy rather than cakey.
- Salt: Just a pinch brings all the flavors into focus—don’t skip it!
- White vinegar: A classic red velvet ingredient that reacts with cocoa and deepens flavor (just a splash does wonders).
- Cream cheese (softened): The star of the frosting, delivering that dreamy tang we all love.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Makes the frosting creamy and easy to spread.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting to a fluffy finish—always sift for extra smoothness!
- Vanilla extract (for frosting): Rounds out sweetness and adds classic depth to the topping.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): Brightens the whole frosting, balancing sweet and tangy perfectly.
How to Make Decadent Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray, then line it with parchment paper. Letting the paper hang over the edges makes the brownies super easy to lift out and slice later—trust me, it’s worth the effort!
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter and granulated sugar until you have a glossy, almost shiny mixture. Next, add the eggs, vanilla extract, and that all-important red food coloring. Stir until everything is smooth and vibrantly red.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Sift the unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, and salt directly into your wet mixture. This helps avoid any lumps and keeps your brownies melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Fold everything together gently; you want to stop as soon as there are no streaks of flour left.
Step 4: The Vinegar Magic
Pour in the white vinegar and stir to combine. This simple step gives these brownies their unique red velvet tang and enhances both the texture and flavor. Don’t be tempted to skip this—it’s subtle but special!
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Scrape your batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 25–28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges with a few moist crumbs. The key to fudgy brownies is not overbaking, so keep an eye on them near the end.
Step 6: Cool and Prepare the Frosting
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan—patience pays off here! Meanwhile, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until perfectly creamy. Add in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, then whip until light and fluffy.
Step 7: Frost and Chill
Once the brownies are totally cool, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top. For the cleanest slices, pop the frosted brownies into the fridge for about 20 minutes before cutting. This helps the frosting set and makes every piece picture-perfect.
How to Serve Decadent Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, sprinkle a few chocolate shavings, red velvet cake crumbs, or even a dusting of cocoa powder over the cream cheese frosting. A couple of fresh berries or a mint sprig can add color and a fresh note, making each brownie look as beautiful as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Pair your Decadent Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or serve alongside a hot cup of coffee or cool glass of milk for the ultimate treat. The creamy, tangy frosting marries perfectly with something cold or slightly bitter—so don’t be afraid to experiment!
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the brownies into hearts or other fun shapes for Valentine’s Day, layer them in parfait glasses with extra frosting, or stack them on a beautiful cake stand for a standout dessert table presentation. If you’re feeling extra fancy, drizzle with a little melted white chocolate right before serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Brownies topped with cream cheese frosting should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain freshness. They stay moist and delicious for up to four days—if they last that long! The frosting sets up beautifully in the fridge but the brownies remain chewy and irresistible.
Freezing
Both the frosted and unfrosted brownies freeze exceptionally well. Slice and wrap each brownie individually in plastic wrap, then store them all in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or on the kitchen counter for a couple of hours when you’re ready to enjoy them again.
Reheating
If you like your brownies a little warm, pop them (unfrosted is best) in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For frosted brownies, leave them at room temperature for about thirty minutes to soften slightly, bringing out their rich flavors and creamy topping.
FAQs
Can I use natural cocoa powder instead of Dutch-process?
Absolutely! Natural cocoa powder is traditional in red velvet recipes and gives the brownies that classic tang, but Dutch-process will work in a pinch and result in a slightly smoother flavor and darker color.
Is it possible to double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Of course! Simply double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. You might need to extend baking time by a few minutes—just keep an eye on them and test with a toothpick for doneness.
What kind of food coloring is best?
Liquid red food coloring is what most of us grew up with, but gel food coloring gives a much more vibrant color with less liquid. Either will work; just aim for that deep, dramatic red velvet hue.
Can I add mix-ins to the brownies?
Definitely! White chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or even a swirl of extra cream cheese make fun additions. Just fold them in gently before baking to keep the batter thick and fudgy.
How do I get the creamiest cream cheese frosting?
Start with softened (not melted) cream cheese and butter. Beat them until totally smooth before adding powdered sugar. Sift the sugar to avoid lumps and whip until it’s light, fluffy, and easy to spread.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dessert that feels both nostalgic and delightfully fresh, you can’t go wrong with Decadent Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting. They’re simple enough for any day of the week but look and taste like a celebration. Give these a try—I promise, your inner dessert lover will thank you!
Print
Decadent Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 43 minutes (plus cooling)
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, fudgy goodness of these Decadent Red Velvet Brownies topped with a luscious layer of Cream Cheese Frosting. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the brownie batter: Combine melted butter and sugar, then add eggs, vanilla, and red food coloring. Mix in cocoa, flour, and salt. Stir in vinegar. Pour into pan.
- Bake: Bake for 25–28 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool before frosting.
- Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter, add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Spread over brownies.
- Chill and serve: Chill brownies for 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Add white chocolate chips or swirl in extra cream cheese for a variation.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
