Red Velvet Brownies topped with champagne cream cheese frosting are a decadent way to celebrate! The rich red velvet flavor in these fudgy brownies is incredibly addictive. Anyone who loves red velvet will love these!

about these red velvet brownies

Who doesn’t love red velvet? Whether it’s cake or ice cream or these delightful brownies, I am all about it. And so is The Man.

Which was actually my inspiration for these brownies!

I know, you must be shocked that I show someone how much I love them through food 😉

Though I don’t make a ton of brownies, I am a big fan. I remember there were these brownies my mom would buy at the grocery store and I would go through them SO fast I don’t know if she even got to eat more than two. Even though I have some additional restraint nowadays, when it comes to these brownies it’s really tough to…

I couldn’t believe how wonderfully these turned out! They are moist, dense, and chewy, while also being delightfully easy to make. Not to mention, I use actual melted chocolate instead of cocoa powder because it’s AWESOME.

what is red velvet?

Red velvet is a vanilla cake that has cocoa powder and red food coloring mixed into it. This is what gives it such a gorgeous red color! Of course, in this recipe, since we are making brownies today, you are going to see a combination of chocolate and red food coloring. It makes for an extra rich and fudgy treat, that’s for sure.

ingredients

bittersweet chocolate – I use a classic bittersweet chocolate baking bar for this recipe instead of cocoa powder. I think the flavor is better and it helps with the texture of the brownies! I do not recommend using dark or milk chocolate chips in this recipe as it will make the brownies too bitter or too sweet as an end result. In addition chocolate acts different in baking, so I cannot guarantee that you’ll end up with the right texture if you use a different kind of chocolate.

red food coloring – what would red velvet be without the red? Any kind of red food coloring will work. I stick with the liquid because you can buy exactly what you need in a 1 ounce bottle. You could also use red gel food coloring.

butter – unsalted butter is key here and make sure to soften it to room temperature. If you don’t have enough time to soften it, just throw it in the microwave for about 10 seconds.

vanilla extract – always reach for the pure vanilla extract! I always highly recommend using a high-quality vanilla extract for your recipes, including this frosting. My favorite is Nielsen Massey – their Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract is amazing.

eggs – make sure that your eggs are truly large size as this will impact the ratio of the brownies.

flour – simple all-purpose flour is all you need to use here, nothing fancy!

sugar – all you need is granulated white sugar for this recipe.

this recipe’s must haves

To make the batter, you’ll need a large bowl from your set of metal mixing bowls, as well as a whisk and a wooden spoon or spatula.

I bake mine in a simple 9×9-inch square baking dish. You can use metal or glass with this recipe.

You might also want a cooling rack to rest the brownies on after baking them.

Other tasty brownie recipes to try: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies | Espresso Brownie Cups | Whiskey Skillet Brownie | Biscoff Brownies

here’s how to make easy red velvet brownies

make batter

To make the batter, start by melting the chocolate. I do this in a microwave-safe bowl with the butter in the microwave. Just heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted and smooth.

Add the melted chocolate and butter to a large bowl, then whisk in sugar and eggs until blended.

Add flour, red food coloring, baking powder, and vanilla. Stir until well-combined.

bake

Before pouring the red velvet brownie batter, prep a 9×9-inch baking pan by lining it with a piece of parchment paper long enough to hang over the sides by at least 2 inches. This will create a sling so you can easily remove the brownies from the pan! Lightly grease the parchment with cooking spray.

Pour the batter in and bake for 40 to 44 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with small crumbs. Let the brownies cool completely, then remove from the pan and set aside.

cool and frost

Cool completely in the pan, then remove from the pan and frost as desired (I like to use champagne cream cheese frosting but you can also opt to not frost them if you prefer! Or just use store-bought if you are in a pinch!).

Need more inspiration for dessert? Check out my desserts recipe page!

why are my brownies not chewy?

When brownies come out dry, it is usually because of the bake time. If you have over-baked your brownies, they will come out dry. The less time you cook them, the fudgier they will be. Keep an eye on your brownies closer to the end of cook time and continue to check their consistency from 20 minutes on. Every oven is different and some ovens run hotter than others!

what’s the best way to cut brownies?

I like to warm the blade under hot water and then wipe it clean after every cut. It also helps to chill the brownies in the fridge after frosting them so they are a little cooler.

what is red velvet flavor?

Red velvet flavor generally tastes like a mild chocolate cocoa flavor with a tartness that comes in. The cream cheese is usually the most prominent flavor when it comes to a classic red velvet cake. With these brownies you get that mild cocoa flavor paired with the tartness in the cream cheese! It’s like eating a red velvet cake, but with a much fudgier texture.

how do you know that the brownies are done?

I recommend keeping a close eye on the brownies at the end of the cook time. You are looking for the edges to be set. The center of the brownies will be set, but still a bit wobbly.

This is the time to take the brownies out of the oven! The brownies will continue to cook while they cool.

how to cut brownies

Let the brownies cool completely and frost them. Once they’ve been frosted, use clean knife to cut the brownies into pieces. I like to run my knife until hot water to make slicing even easier and cleaner. I do not recommend using a plastic knife or butter knife to cut them. Use a sharp knife and wipe it off between each cut.

how to store

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 to 4 days. You can also store them in the refrigerator if your house runs hot.

what do I serve with red velvet brownies?

No matter what occasion you are making these red velvet brownies for, you really don’t need to serve them with much!

If you decide to skip the frosting, I recommend warming the brownies and serving them with scoops of vanilla ice cream and hot fudge sauce. The best brownie sundae you’ll ever have!

This is obviously a dessert, so if you need a main dish, here are some winners that always impress:

• This herb crusted rack of lamb with red wine jus certainly impresses whenever it is served! However, it’s so simple to make that you won’t have to worry about doing a ton of cooking in the kitchen.
• Roasted chicken with white wine and fresh herbs is delicious anytime of year! It’s simple and cooking the chicken in pieces is what makes the cooking time so fast.
• Simple bbq beef tenderloin is elegant and the perfect splurge for a holiday or Valentine’s Day. Serve with a simple creamy horseradish sauce, it’s absolutely delicious.

If you are serving this dessert for Valentine’s Day, be sure to check out my Valentine’s Day drinks to get some inspiration! I particularly love a bubbly pink strawberry mimosa or a sparkling grapefruit rosé cocktail.

Finally, if you make this red velvet brownies recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment!

I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!