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Some days, you need a treat that looks fancy but doesn’t take much effort, right? That’s where my Red Velvet Brownies come in. They’re the perfect blend of fudgy brownies and that unique red velvet flavor everyone loves. They’re easy enough for even your busiest days. I’m talking about a few basic ingredients and a little bit of love, and you’ve got yourself a showstopper dessert!
Enjoy these brownies on their own, or top them with decadent cream cheese icing, which is synonymous with the classic red velvet combo!
Even though I’m all about using convenient, easy items when I can, this is one of those recipes where you skip the box mix and go for homemade. Don’t worry—these Red Velvet Brownies are still easy enough to whip together, and trust me, the difference is worth it.
You’ll get that perfect, fudgy brownie texture with just a few simple ingredients. The rich cocoa and the hint of vinegar give them that signature red velvet flavor, while keeping them super moist and decadent.
The best part of making them from scratch is the satisfaction of knowing you did it all yourself! These brownies are delicious on their own, but they’re also the perfect base for a little extra flair. I love adding a swirl of homemade cream cheese frosting for that perfect mix of tangy and sweet. They don’t just look impressive; they taste like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen, but we both know they’re actually super simple to whip up!
They’re perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day or Christmas, with rich flavor and festive red color. But let’s be real—they’re just as amazing when you’re simply craving something indulgent on a regular day. Whether for a holiday or a self-care treat, these brownies will make any moment feel special!
Why you’ll love this Red Velvet Brownies Recipe!
- Simple Recipe – Brownie recipes are pretty straightforward and simple.
- Delicious and Fudgy—This brownie recipe is all that fudgy deliciousness with just the right lift, giving you that red velvet cake flavor.
- Perfect for holidays or a special treat—If you’re Looking for something red for your Valentine or at Christmas, this is just the treat. Although this is so good, you’ll be making it year-round!
Red Velvet Brownie Ingredient Notes
- Butter: Unsalted or salted works fine. Unsalted butter is usually the standard in baking, but I must confess I use salted butter in my brownies. Melting the butter gives a chewier, more fudge-like texture.
- Sugar: Standard white granulated sugar is all you need.
- Cocoa powder: Natural unsweetened or Dutch process with work in this recipe. I usually make it with good old Hershey’s or Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract will give you that vanilla taste in red velvet.
- White distilled vinegar: Just a little for that red velvet magic.
- Red Food Coloring: I keep it simple and use McCormick’s in the bottle. It has no funny taste and really gives you red brownies.
- Salt: I use kosher or sea salt. Just a little to balance the sweet.
- Eggs: Large eggs at room temperature. Let the eggs incorporate evenly.
- Flour: Simple all-purpose flour works great. You don’t need anything fancy. Just make sure to fluff your flour in the container. Then, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off. Too much flour will result in dry brownies.
Icing Ingredient Notes
This brownie recipe is delicious with or without cream cheese icing. Make this simple frosting to put a classic spin on red velvet.
- Cream Cheese: Block cream cheese at room temperature works best. I like to get a good quality cream cheese, like Philadelphia. However, if your store brand has good quality and isn’t watery, use that. Just don’t get a tub or whipped. It is not the right consistency.
- Butter: I use stick butter at room temperature. Not too soft, though.
- Powdered Sugar: This is also known as confectioners or icing sugar. It makes a smooth icing!
- Vanilla: A good-quality vanilla extract works well. It will slightly tint the icing, and I don’t mind that, so you get a great flavor. However, if you need pure white icing, then go for a clear vanilla flavoring.
How to Make Red Velvet Brownies
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Prepare Pan and Oven
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square cake pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit hanging over the sides so you can easily lift the brownies out later. Trust me, this makes life so much easier when it’s time to slice them!
If you don’t have parchment paper spray the entire pan with baking spray or butter or grease pan.
Step 2 | Mix ingredients
In a large bowl, melt butter at 30-second intervals until melted. You can also melt the butter in a 2-3 quart saucepan over low heat if you like.
Once melted, whisk in the sugar until everything is well combined.
Next, add the eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition until they’re just incorporated. We want to add a little air in the batter so there is a little lift but not too much that they are a little fudgy, too!
Then, mix in the vanilla.
Now, gently whisk the cocoa powder into the batter (I like to sift it through a sieve to avoid any lumps).
Stir in your red food coloring until the color is evenly blended.
If you’re using gel coloring, mix a bit of batter with the gel in a small bowl first, then stir that back into the main bowl to ensure it blends smoothly.
At this point, switch to a rubber spatula or wooden spoon and gently fold in the flour and salt (again, sifting helps prevent lumps). Once the flour is fully incorporated, stir in the vinegar until everything is well combined.
Step 3 | Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and pop it in the oven.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or cake tester inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let the brownies cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment overhang and allow them to cool completely before frosting.
Step 4 | Add Cream Cheese Icing (optional)
For the frosting, beat room-temperature butter and cream cheese with a mixer until smooth and creamy.
Slowly add the powdered sugar and mix until combined.
Once everything is incorporated, turn the mixer to high speed and whip the frosting for a couple of minutes until it’s light and fluffy.
Add the vanilla and, if needed, 1-2 teaspoons of milk to adjust the consistency. Beat until everything is smooth.
Now, spread that delicious frosting on your fully-cooled brownies, slice them up, and enjoy every bite!
Variations and Substitutions:
- Use green food coloring and make these for St. Patrick’s Day!
- Add 1 cup of white chocolate chips to the batter instead of frosting them.
- You can warm the brownies and serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a really sweet treat! Add a dollop of whipped cream and then drizzle with a bit of chocolate or caramel to put them over the top.
- These are also delicious as Red Velvet Brownie Cups or Bites.
- For Halloween, drizzle some red food coloring or gel icing on some edible eyeballs or Halloween eyeball candies. You can even place toy spider rings or any spooky candy.
Tips
- Do not over-mix the batter. This will add more air to the batter, making it less fudgy in texture. If you want a more cake-like brownie, really whip the eggs to incorporate more air. For a fudgy brownie brownie, lightly whip the eggs.
- Don’t overbake. This is so important if you want a chewy, fudge-like brownie.
- If your oven cooks unevenly, about 15 minutes into the cooking time, just rotate the pan for an even bake.
- Fully cool your brownies before icing them and slicing them.
- If you want an extra thick icing, I recommend making 1.5 batches of this icing.
- For perfectly sliced brownies, pop them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before cutting. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for neat, even slices.
- Want to make a larger batch? Double the recipe and make it in a 9 X 13 pan.
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How to Store This Recipe for Red Velvet Brownies
Storage:
- If you are not icing the brownies, they can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- If icing is used, brownies need to be stored in the refrigerator. Iced or uniced brownies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
Freezing:
Brownies will freeze well for up to 2 months.
- Double wrap these red velvet brownies with freezer safe wrap, or single wrap and place in a freezer-safe zip bag. Brownies may be frozen whole or in individual slices.
- Allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
FAQs for making Red Velvet Brownies from Scratch
Yes, you can. Use a 4-ounce bittersweet chocolate baking bar. Just chop and melt it in the microwave in 30-second intervals. Then, mix it with the sugar and butter mixture in place of the cocoa.
Using a warm, sharp blade or bench/dough scraper works great.
Let the brownies completely cool. You can even chill in the refrigerator for even more even slices.
Yes, start with about 1 ½ teaspoons and add up 3 teaspoons depending on desired color.
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Red Velvet Brownies
Ingredients
Red Velvet Brownies
- ¾ cup butter, (1 ½ sticks)
- 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 ½ ounce red food coloring
- 1 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, sifted
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon kosher salt, to taste – I used salted butter, and no salt added
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Cream Cheese Icing
- 4 ounces block cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 – 2 teaspoons milk, (if needed to desired consistency)
Instructions
Red Velvet Brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line an 8-inch square cake pan with parchment paper, with some hanging over each side so that the brownies are easy to remove. If you don't have parchment pape, spray the entire pan with baking spray or butter or grease pan.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in 30-second increments until completely melted. (This can also be done in a 2-3 quart saucepan over low heat.) Add the sugar to the melted butter and whisk together until combined.¾ cup butter, 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
- Add the eggs in 1 at a time and whisk until each is just incorporated. Then add in vanilla and whisk together. You want the eggs incorporated so don’t be afraid to whisk them in. Just don’t go overboard and overmix as we do not want to add too much air into the mixture as that makes the brownie cakey.3 large eggs, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Add the cocoa powder to the brownie batter (I tap through a sieve to avoid lumps) and whisk together gently until completely combined.6 tablespoons cocoa powder
- Add the liquid red food coloring to the bowl and mix until combined. (If using an alternate gel food coloring, take a couple of tablespoons of the batter and put it into a small bowl. Add your red gel food coloring to this bowl and mix it in until the gel is all incorporated and there are no lumps.) Then, add the mixture to the batter and mix until combined.1 ½ ounce red food coloring
- Switch from a whisk to a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, and fold the flour and salt into the batter (I tap through a sieve to avoid lumps).1 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, ¼ to ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- When there are no more lumps of flour, add the vinegar and mix in well.1 teaspoon white vinegar
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until a wooden skewer or a cake tester comes out with just moist crumbs on it.
- The brownies should be cooled in the pan for 30 minutes. Then, remove them from the pan to cool completely before frosting them with the cream cheese
Cream Cheese Icing
- In a stand mixer or with an electric mixer, beat the room-temperature butter and cream cheese together until smooth and combined.4 ounces block cream cheese, 4 tablespoons butter
- Add the powdered sugar and mix in slowly, once just combined, turn your mixer onto high speed and beat for a few minutes until light and fluffy.2 cups powdered sugar
- Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons milk(optional), if needed, to achieve the desired consistency, and beat until smooth.1 – 2 teaspoons milk
- Spread the cream cheese icing on the fully cooled brownies and slice to serve.
Want to Save this Recipe?
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Notes
Storage:
- If you are not icing the brownies, they can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- If icing is used, brownies need to be stored in the refrigerator. Iced or uniced brownies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.
Freezing:
Brownies will freeze well for up to 2 months.- Double wrap these red velvet brownies with freezer safe wrap, or single wrap and place in a freezer safe zip bag. Brownies may be frozen whole or in individual slices.
- Allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
These brownies where so delicious. Plus, easy and quick to make!
Thank you, Jess! I am so glad you enjoyed them!
The brownies were really good but a 1/2 cup of cocoa powder was a bit much. I wanted a brighter red color but with that much cocoa powder it was difficult to achieve they came out a deep dark red. A friend and I both tried this recipe at the same time however she used two tablespoons of cocoa powder, and hers came out a beautiful bright red. The taste of the brownie though was really good.
How can I get that beautiful bright red color? Every time I make red velvet anything, I can’t achieve that color. They always come out burgundy. Can I omit some of the cocoa powder and add some red velvet emulsion?
You could cut back on the cocoa powder but I love the flavor it gives. The 2 bottles of Mccormick Red Coloring is key for color.
Nikki, the recipe is correct in that 1 0z of food coloring is used, right? Making these soon and my bottle of food coloring is 1 oz, so it would only be one bottle, correct? Thanks!
Yes. That is correct. You can use less if desired but to get that deep red color I use the whole bottle. My red velvet cake uses 2 of them.
Cut way back on the cocoa powder. A friend and I both tried this recipe at the same time. I didn’t even use the full half cup, and my brownies for a darker red. My friend used about two tablespoons of cocoa powder and hers turned out it really bright pretty red.
REALLY GOOD! I didn’t add the vinegar because I didn’t have some but they we’re still really good! I definitely recommend and will be making AND adding to my recipe book!
Thank you so much, Giselle! This makes my heart glad. I am so happy that you enjoyed them and will be making this part of your recipe collection!
These brownies came out awesome! My daughter made them but didn’t melt the butter. I had softened it for her so we just beat it in. I do have a question. You have white vinegar as an ingredient, but the recipe doesn’t it call it out. We added it along with the food coloring?? Just curious. They turned out fantastic!
Thank you so much! You did exactly right. Thanks for catching that. I have corrected it.
What a gorgeous color! I love red velvet anything!
These were both delicious and easy to make! Thanks so much for this recipe!
Your desserts are amazing! I had everything on hand and put them together in a jiffy. They’re delicious and these brownies are perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Can’t beat a brownie–and these are perfect for Valentine’s Day! Even better frosted!
These red velvet brownies are scrumptious and so easy to make. Everyone loved them.
Love the idea of red velvet brownies! They sound so yummy!
These are going in the oven now, the batter is divine (don’t ask how I know) . Making these to send to my college son, AMAZING!
This is SO delicious! Love this brownie and is so perfect in flavors!
I am drooling at the sheer idea of these red velvet brownies! I am baking them up this afternoon because I just can’t WAIT until Valentine’s Day to eat them!!
Thank you, Michaela! I cannot ever pass up brownies either!
Not sure how I’ve made it to my age without ever having eaten anything red velvet! These sound fantastic!
Oh my goodness Jolene! You have to make up for lost time! Enjoy!
I never thought of a Red Velvet Brownie! Delish!
We love them! My hubby already wants another batch!
Red velvet everything, please! the perfect gift for Valentine’s day (at least for me)
Kathy, I agree! Give me brownies over flowers any day!
These brownies were so delicious and I love the red velvet flavor! So delicious and will be making these again in a few weeks for Valentine’s Day 🙂 The cream cheese frosting was the perfect topping!
Thank you, Kathryn! It really is hard to beat the combination of cream cheese and red velvet!
Love the variations….you could make these for just about any occasion. They are sure to be a hit.
These are so pretty! The perfect dessert to celebrate Valentine’s Day with!