Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies

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Introduction:

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies are a decadent twist on the classic brownie, combining the rich, velvety flavor of red velvet cake with the tangy creaminess of cream cheese swirled throughout. These indulgent brownies offer a perfect balance of sweetness, chocolatey goodness, and a touch of tang, making them an irresistible dessert for any occasion. Their vibrant red color and marbled cream cheese topping make them as visually stunning as they are delicious, perfect for celebrations, holidays, or just satisfying a sweet craving.

The History of Red Velvet and Brownies:

Red velvet cake, with its deep red color and subtle cocoa flavor, has been a beloved dessert in the American South for over a century. It’s known for its unique flavor profile, thanks to the combination of cocoa, buttermilk, and vinegar. Meanwhile, brownies, the classic American dessert, have been around since the late 19th century, providing a dense, fudgy treat enjoyed by all. Combining these two iconic desserts brings the best of both worlds together in one mouthwatering bite.

Ingredients Breakdown:

  • For the Red Velvet Brownie Layer:
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour: Forms the base and structure of the brownies.
    • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder: Adds the classic chocolate flavor to the red velvet layer.
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder: Provides lift to the brownies, ensuring they aren’t too dense.
    • ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and moisture to the brownies.
    • 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the brownie layer.
    • 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and add structure.
    • 1 tablespoon red food coloring: Provides the signature red velvet color.
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds depth of flavor.
    • 1 teaspoon white vinegar: Helps activate the baking powder for a tender texture.
  • For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
    • 8 oz cream cheese, softened: The base for the creamy, tangy swirl.
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture.
    • 1 large egg: Adds creaminess and helps bind the swirl.
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cream cheese layer.

Step-by-Step Recipe:

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. Make the Red Velvet Brownie Batter:
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar, mixing until fully combined.
    • Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl:
    • In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  4. Assemble the Brownies:
    • Pour about ¾ of the red velvet brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
    • Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the red velvet batter.
    • Dollop the remaining red velvet batter over the top. Use a knife or toothpick to swirl the cream cheese and red velvet batter together, creating a marbled effect.
  5. Bake the Brownies:
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
    • Let the brownies cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out of the pan and onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. Serve and Enjoy:
    • Once cooled, slice the brownies into squares and serve. For an extra indulgent touch, top with whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Tips for the Perfect Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies:

  1. Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the red velvet brownie batter can lead to dense brownies. Mix until just combined for the best texture.
  2. Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother cream cheese swirl.
  3. Swirl Gently: When creating the marbled effect, use a gentle hand. Over-swirling can blend the two layers too much and lose the striking red-and-white contrast.

Variations and Customizations:

  1. Chocolate Chip Addition: Fold in chocolate chips into the red velvet batter for an extra layer of gooey chocolate goodness.
  2. Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these brownies gluten-free.
  3. Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the brownie batter for a crunchy contrast to the soft, creamy layers.
  4. Valentine’s Day Treat: These brownies make a perfect Valentine’s Day dessert! Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to make them extra festive.

Health Considerations and Nutritional Value:

These Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies are rich and indulgent, with a higher sugar and fat content due to the butter, cream cheese, and sugar. For a lighter version:

  • Reduce Sugar: You can cut back the sugar by ¼ cup without compromising too much on sweetness.
  • Use Light Cream Cheese: Swap full-fat cream cheese with light cream cheese for a lower-fat option.
  • Portion Control: Since these brownies are dense and rich, cutting them into smaller portions can help manage calorie intake while still enjoying the treat.

FAQ:

  1. Can I freeze Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies?
    Yes! Once cooled, wrap the brownies tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
  2. How do I store the brownies?
    Store the brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
  3. Can I use a box mix for the red velvet base?
    Yes, you can use a red velvet cake or brownie mix as the base and follow the same steps for the cream cheese swirl.
Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies are a decadent fusion of fudgy red velvet brownies and creamy, tangy cream cheese, all swirled together for a stunning and delicious dessert. These rich, indulgent treats are perfect for any occasion, from holidays to casual gatherings!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Bars, Brownies, Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 317 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 2 medium mixing bowls
  • 1 electric mixer
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • 1 spatula
  • 1 nut chopper if nuts are not previously chopped

Ingredients
  

CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

  • 8 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 5 tbsp. unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup coconut

RED VELVET BROWNIE LAYER:

  • 1 box Red Velvet cake mix
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup canola oil or coconut oil
  • 1 cup nuts chopped (either walnuts or pecans work fine) (measure after chopping)
  • 12 oz. bag chocolate chunks or chocolate chips

Instructions
 

CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

  • Mix cream cheese and butter with electric mixer.
  • Add sugar, eggs, flour and vanilla.
  • Stir in coconut.
  • Set aside.

RED VELVET BROWNIE LAYER:

  • Mix red velvet cake mix, egg, water and oil with a wooden spoon.
  • Stir in nuts and chocolate chunks.
  • The dough will be thick.
  • Spray a 9×13” baking pan with cooking spray (or grease and flour pan).
  • Spread half of the cream cheese mixture in bottom of pan.
  • Spread out to cover surface of pan.
  • Then spread half of the red velvet brownie mixture over top of the cream cheese mixture.
  • It won’t spread evenly, but you can dollop it onto the mixture and move it around slightly to cover the surface the best you can.
  • Pour and spread remaining cream cheese mixture over top of the red velvet brownie layer, and then remaining red velvet brownie mix.
  • Using a wooden spoon swirl through all layers.
  • Don’t overdo it, but make sure you swirl the batter in 2 or 3 inch swirls throughout the pan.
  • Bake at 350° for about 40-45 minutes.
  • Be sure mixture is set in the middle.
  • Test with a toothpick.
  • Cook additional 5 or 10 minutes if necessary, depending on the heat of your oven.

Notes

I highly recommend refrigerating the brownies before cutting and serving.

NUTRITION

  • Calories: 317kcal
    Carbohydrates: 34g
    Protein: 6g
    Fat: 19g
    Saturated Fat: 7g
    Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat: 8g
    Trans Fat: 0.1g
    Cholesterol: 32mg
    Sodium: 227mg
    Potassium: 226mg
    Fiber: 2g
    Sugar: 21g
    Vitamin A: 124IU
    Vitamin C: 0.1mg
    Calcium: 78mg
    Iron: 2mg
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