Fudgy and soft, these EASY Red Velvet Brownies are to-die-for! Swirl some cream cheese frosting on top for heavenly decadence.
This post is all about how to make Red Velvet Brownies.
These Red Velvet Brownies are one of the best dessert treats I’ve ever tasted! But honestly, who can resist a chewy, fudgy brownie topped with cream cheese frosting?
You might be surprised to hear that this recipe is EASY and can be thrown together and baked in under 30 minutes. The main ingredient is a box of red velvet cake mix doctored with vanilla extract, one egg, some vegetable oil, and semi-sweet chocolate chips to compliment the cocoa in the red velvet mix.
While the brownies taste incredibly delicious by themselves, adding some sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting takes them to a level of decadence that will blow your mind and taste buds. It’s recommended to serve these brownies with a WARNING because those who take just one bite might become addicted, obsessed, and crave red velvet brownies 24/7.
Let’s dive into the recipe so you can start making these homemade treats for your friends and family. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Red Velvet Brownies
What Is Red Velvet?
Gaining fame in the southern United States, red velvet is a vanilla cake with cocoa powder added. The crumb of the cake is tender and soft. Because of its popularity, you’ll often see this cake in various dessert forms, such as cookies, cupcakes, and brownies!
But Why Is It So Red?
Today, the bright red hue comes from red food coloring. But initially, historians state that cake flour wasn’t available during the Victorian era, so vinegar (an acid) was used to tenderize cakes. The cake turned red when vinegar was mixed with non-Dutch processed cocoa powder.
Why EVERYONE Will Love This Recipe!
- These brownies are fudgy, soft, creamy, and DELICIOUS.
- It’s an EASY recipe.
- You can bake these all year long (not just for Valentine’s Day), and people will RAVE about them EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- One Box Of Red Velvet Cake Mix, about 15 ounces.
- Egg, one.
- Vegetable Oil, 1/2 cup.
- Vanilla Extract, one tablespoon.
- Water, one tablespoon.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, 3/4 cup.
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
- Buy One Tub of Storebought Cream Cheese Frosting.
Or For Homemade Frosting, You’ll Need:
- 8-Ounce Brick of Cream Cheese, full-fat (room temperature)
- One Stick Of Butter, aka 1/2 cup (room temperature)
- One Pound of Powdered Sugar, aka 2 cups.
- Vanilla Extract, one tablespoon.
- Milk, one tablespoon.
Do I Need To Make The Cream Cheese Frosting From Scratch?
Heck no! But does it taste better? YES. Homemade cream cheese frosting is sinfully delicious, and you will taste a big difference compared to the storebought tub. But will these red velvet brownies still taste insanely delicious with the frosting from the store? YES.
Equipment Needed For This Red Velvet Brownie Recipe:
- Sharp Knife – for cutting the brownies into squares.
- One Ziploc Sandwich Bag – If you want to recreate the swirls I made, add frosting to a plastic sandwich bag and cut off a small corner. Drizzle the frosting back and forth on top of each brownie.
- Oven
What’s So Special About Red Velvet Brownies?
The tender and moist crumb, the cocoa powder, and the tangy cream cheese make a unique and unforgettable red velvet dessert brownie that’s totally addicting! Also, it’s a recipe that any novice baker could pull off.
How To Make Red Velvet Brownies, Step-By-Step
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2: Add the red velvet cake mix, egg, oil, vanilla extract, and water to a bowl and mix until combined. The brownie batter will be thick and sticky.
Step 3: Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips to the bowl and mix.
Step 4: Grease an 8 x 8 baking pan and add the batter. Using a spatula, press down the thick brownie dough into the pan, distributing it evenly.
Step 5: Bake the brownies for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Step 6: Allow the baked brownies to cool in the pan completely before cutting them into squares. Place the warm pan on a wire cooling rack.
Step 7: Once the brownies are cool, cut them into nine squares. You can add the optional frosting at this time. If you want to recreate the swirls I made, add frosting to a plastic sandwich bag and cut off a small corner. Drizzle the frosting back and forth on top of each brownie.
How Do You Know When Brownies Are Done?
We want the brownies to taste moist, soft, and fudgy for this particular recipe. Follow the baking time exactly (no more than 20 minutes), and let them cool in the pan before cutting them. Because this recipe calls for a red velvet cake mix, the crumb of the cake is more delicate and not as thick as a traditional brownie batter, which means they bake more quickly.
How To Make Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Add the room-temperature cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar to a bowl and mix until smooth. Use a stand or hand mixer.
Step 2: Next, add the vanilla extract and milk to the bowl and mix.
Step 3: Add the cream cheese frosting to the brownies once they’ve cooled.
Frequently Asked Questions And Tips
What’s The Secret To Making Perfect Red Velvet Brownies From Scratch?
The secret for this best recipe is to use a red velvet cake mix and add semi-sweet chocolate chips to enhance the cocoa in the mix. Top with homemade cream cheese frosting for perfection.
What Do Red Velvet Brownies Taste Like?
Each brownie bite is moist, chewy, and loaded with sweet and tangy flavors from the cream cheese frosting.
How Should I Store Red Velvet Brownies?
I prefer to store these brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator, especially if you’re making homemade cream cheese frosting. They taste delicious when chilled, and you can keep them in the fridge for up to seven days. If you’re not topping them with frosting, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for no more than three days.
Is Red Velvet Just Chocolate?
No, red velvet is not just chocolate. It is made with a vanilla cake mix, and cocoa powder is mixed in, which gives it the chocolate flavor.
How Can I Make Brownies Out Of Cake Mix?
Follow this EASY recipe! And if you want to change the flavor of the cake mix, that is no problem.
What Is The Difference Between A Cake Mix And Brownie Mix?
Cake mixes contain a leavening agent to make it rise, while a brownie mix contains very little.
What Is The Best Way To Cut Brownies?
Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting them into squares. Use a sharp knife to cut the brownies.
How Do I Freeze These Brownies?
Place them in an airtight container, and they can be kept in the freezer for up to three months.
How Should I Serve Red Velvet Brownies?
Easy! Serve them anytime and for any occasion.
Should I Eat These At Room Temperature Or Chilled From The Fridge?
You can eat them anyway, but I prefer to enjoy them chilled if they’re topped with cream cheese frosting.
What Makes Brownies Fudgy Instead of Cakey?
Fudgy brownies have a higher fat-to-flour ratio than cakey brownies. The amount of vegetable oil used in this recipe is perfect for achieving fudgy red velvet brownies.
What Are Katharine Hepburn Brownies?
Katharine Hepburn had a delicious and simple brownie recipe that people still rave about today. It’s important to note that Hepburn’s recipe does not contain red velvet ingredients.
Were Brownies Originally Topped With Nuts?
Yes! Back in the day, walnuts were used for a basic brownie recipe.
How Can I Make These Red Velvet Brownies With Ghirardelli Chocolate?
You can add Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips to this brownie recipe, and it will be extra delicious! You can NEVER go wrong with gourmet Ghirardelli chocolate.
Variations & Substitutions
- You can use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet morsels.
- Use any flavor of cake mix to get another brownie variation.
- While cream cheese frosting is perfect for red velvet brownies, you could use another flavor depending on the brownie variation you’re baking.
Red Velvet Brownies
Equipment
- 1 8 x 8 Baking Pan
- Nonstick Cooking Spray
- Mixing Bowl
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Sharp Knife – for cutting the brownies into squares.
- Spatula
- Wire Cooling Rack
- Oven
- 1 Ziploc Sandwich Bag – If you want to recreate the swirls I made, add frosting to a plastic sandwich bag and cut off a small corner. Drizzle the frosting back and forth on top of each brownie.
Ingredients
Ingredients You'll Need For Red Velvet Brownies:
- 1 Box Red Velvet Cake Mix, approximately 15 ounces.
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tbsp Water
- 3/4 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Ingredients You'll Need For Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 Storebought tub of Cream Cheese Frosting
Or For Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting You'll Need:
- 1 8-ounce Brick Of Cream Cheese (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup Butter (one stick, room temperature)
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (aka, one pound)
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tbsp Milk
Instructions
How To Make Red Velvet Brownies, Step-By-Step
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the red velvet cake mix, egg, oil, vanilla extract, and water to a bowl and mix until combined. The brownie batter will be thick and sticky.
- Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips to the bowl and mix.
- Grease an 8 x 8 baking pan and add the batter. Using a spatula, press down the thick brownie dough into the pan, distributing it evenly.
- Bake the brownies for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- Allow the baked brownies to cool in the pan completely before cutting them into squares. Place the warm pan on a wire cooling rack.
- Once the brownies are cool, cut them into nine squares. You can add the optional frosting at this time. If you want to recreate the swirls I made, add frosting to a plastic sandwich bag and cut off a small corner. Drizzle the frosting back and forth on top of each brownie.
How To Make Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting, Step-By-Step
- Add the room-temperature cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar to a bowl and mix until smooth. Use a stand or hand mixer.
- Next, add the vanilla extract and milk to the bowl and mix.
- Add the cream cheese frosting to the brownies once they’ve cooled.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts For These Best Red Velvet Brownies
I’m positive if you bake these Red Velvet Brownies, you’ll become addicted! They are so delicious, and the recipe could not be easier.
Please share this sweet treat with friends and family on social media if you find it outrageously delectable! You can follow career girl meets… on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more home decor ideas, recipes, and gift guides.
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