Delish Red Velvet Brownies

I made these Delish Red Velvet Brownies because I have a weakness for anything that combines drama (red color), comfort (brownies), and the ability to pretend it’s fancy when people come over. They’re fudgy, a little cakey where it counts, and come with that cream-cheese swirl that makes you feel both indulgent and morally superior to boxed mixes. Try them because chocolate + tangy cream cheese is the kind of decision that never regrets you.

My husband “helped” by taste-testing the batter with the dignity of a raccoon. The kids used the empty cream cheese tub as a microphone and declared themselves judges of texture, flavor, and my life choices. I took one photo, turned to wipe a spill, and came back to find half the pan mysteriously reduced. Either my husband discovered teleportation or brownies possess stealth. Spoiler: it was husband.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use boxed cake mix + cocoa powder when you’re hangry and not feeling noble. Don’t tell anyone I said that.
– Swap the hand mixer for a whisk if you have patience (you don’t). The whisk also doubles as a defense against curious toddlers.
– Line the pan with foil or parchment so you can pop the whole thing out like a dessert magician—less scrubbing, more applause.
– Make the cream-cheese swirl in the same bowl you used for the batter if you’re into living dangerously and owning fewer dishes.
– Bake in a slightly larger pan to shave a few minutes off baking time; edges = crispy, center = still perfect.

Serving Ideas

– Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to be dramatic and slightly sticky-faced.
– Drizzle with leftover cream cheese frosting and pretend you intended to be so extra.
– Pair with coffee in the morning and also pair with wine if the kids have been especially successful at tantruming that day.
– Break into squares and hide one in a secret snack drawer. Don’t look at me when your co-parent finds it.
– Keep it simple: warm a square, sit, and eat it like it’s therapy.

What to Serve It With

– Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a slow clap.
– Black coffee or a milkshake, depending on your maturity level and available nap time.
– Fresh berries if you’re trying to fool someone into thinking it’s healthy.

✔Tips & Mistakes

Do not overbake: these are happiest when fudgy, not soul-sucked and dry.
Pan matters: Yes, this pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes. If your batter comes right to the top, use a bigger pan or accept thinner brownies.
Swirl technique: dollop cream cheese and drag a knife through in gentle S shapes—overdoing it makes a marbled mess instead of art.
Salt: don’t skip a pinch. It’s tiny and dramatically improves everything.
If the kitchen catches an odd smell, it’s probably just my optimism burning.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
– Freeze slices between parchment for up to 2 months; thaw on the counter for 30–60 minutes for best results.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Add white chocolate chips or chopped pecans for texture.
– Use beet juice for extra natural red if you’re feeling artisanal.
– Gluten-free flour blends work fine—treat them like brownies, not brownies pretending to be cake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Red Velvet Brownies

A rich and fudgy chocolate brownie with a classic velvet texture and a hint of cream cheese frosting.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter
• ▢ 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• ▢ 3 large eggs
• ▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
• ▢ 0.5 cup red food coloring
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 0.5 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture until combined.
• Stir in the red food coloring until well mixed.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30 minutes.
• Let the brownies cool before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes

These brownies can be topped with cream cheese frosting for added flavor!