Make decadent red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time45 minutesmins
Cooling/Frosting Time1 hourhr
Total Time2 hourshrs
Servings: 9
Ingredients
Brownies
½cupButtersoftened
1/3cupSemi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1cupGranulated Sugar
3eggs
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1teaspoonapple cider vinegar
¼teaspoonSalt
½teaspoonbaking powder
1cupflour
2-3teaspoonno-taste red gel food coloring
Frosting
4ouncescream cheesesoftened
¼cupbuttersoftened
¼teaspoonvanilla extract
2cupspowdered sugar
Pinchsalt
Sprinkles or sparkling sugaroptional
Instructions
Make the Red Velvet Brownies
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8x8 inch or 9x9 inch pan with parchment paper and butter the parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray. Set aside while you make the brownie batter.
Put a medium sauce pan over low heat and add the butter and chocolate chips. Stir frequently until they are completely melted and smooth. Then remove the pan from the heat. Or you can melt the butter and chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
½ cup Butter, 1/3 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Whisk the sugar into the melted chocolate mixture.
1 cup Granulated Sugar
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly between each one.
3 eggs
Stir in the vanilla extract, salt, and apple cider vinegar.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon Salt
In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 cup flour
Gradually add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture. Mix well between each addition. The batter will be thick.
Add in 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring. Stir it into the batter and decide if the color is deep enough or not. If you want a richer red color add another teaspoon and stir until the color is evenly mixed. Continue to add food coloring and mix until you have a color you like.
2-3 teaspoon no-taste red gel food coloring
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, and smooth the top evenly.
Bake the pan of brownies for about 45-55 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your pan and what it is made of. After 40 minutes check for doneness by inserting a toothpick about 3 inches in from the edge of the pan and see if it comes out clean. If not continue to bake and check it again in 5-10 minutes.
Once baked remove the pan from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
Frost the Brownies
Wait for the brownies to cool completely before frosting.
To make the cream cheese frosting mix the softened cream cheese and butter in a medium size bowl. Use a mixer to cream them together until smooth.
4 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup butter
Add in the vanilla extract. Then stir the powdered sugar in a little at a time, stirring in between each addition.
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cups powdered sugar, Pinch salt
Spread the frosting evenly across the top of the brownies. Top them with sprinkles or sparkling sugar if desired.
Sprinkles or sparkling sugar
Use the parchment paper to lift the brownies out of the pan and cut into 9 squares.
Store in an airtight container. Refrigerate if not eaten within 2 hours.
Notes
It is important to use red food coloring that is specifically labeled "no taste". Some liquid or gel food red coloring can leave a bitter taste when used in large quantities.
Use room temperature butter and cream cheese to make the mixing process easier.
Let the brownies cool completely before frosting and cutting.