Description
These fudgy red velvet brownies combine the rich, moist texture of traditional brownies with the vibrant color and subtle cocoa flavor of red velvet, topped with a luscious cream cheese swirl. Perfectly balanced in sweetness and packed with flavor, they make a delightful dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Brownies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring (or 2 teaspoons gel food coloring)
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk (or regular milk if unavailable)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the brownies after baking.
- Make the Brownie Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, red food coloring, and buttermilk until the mixture is fully homogeneous.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing. The batter should be thick.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Assemble the Brownies: Pour the brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the top.
- Create Swirls: Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the batter to create an attractive marbled effect.
- Bake the Brownies: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking to maintain the fudgy texture.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
- Red food coloring can be substituted with gel food coloring for more intense color.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the brownies fudgy.
- Let brownies cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
