Go Back
Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Drizzle Recipe

Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Drizzle

Dense, fudgy red velvet brownies are finished with a sweet, silky cream cheese drizzle. This easy dessert makes 24 colorful squares in a 13 x 9-inch pan.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Brownies
  • 1 cup (226 g) Unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups (400 g) Granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (42–43 g) Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 large Large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon Red liquid food coloring
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (188 g) All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Cream Cheese Drizzle
  • 4 ounces (113 g) Cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (113 g) Confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons Milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, or lightly grease and flour the pan.
  2. Whisk the melted butter, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt just until no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
  4. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the edges are set and a toothpick near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  5. Cool the brownies completely in the pan, about 1 hour. Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, then add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of milk; add the remaining milk gradually until thin enough to drizzle.
  6. Transfer the drizzle to a piping bag or small zip-top bag, snip the corner, zigzag it over the cooled brownies, and cut into 24 squares.

Notes

For the brightest red color, use concentrated gel food coloring at about 1 teaspoon and avoid adding extra cocoa powder. Remove the brownies when the tester shows moist crumbs; overbaking can make them dry and dull the color. Store covered, and refrigerate if keeping the cream cheese drizzle for longer than a day.