Red Velvet Brownies Recipe: How to Make Homemade Brownies
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: May 15, 2022 • 2 min read
Red velvet brownies are sweet, fudgy, and slightly red from the addition of food coloring. Try this easy recipe to learn how to make the dessert at home.
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What Are Red Velvet Brownies?
Red velvet brownies are classic chocolate brownies with the addition of red food coloring. The earliest red velvet recipes took on a red color from a chemical reaction between the cocoa powder and the baking soda or buttermilk; modern recipes use beetroot or red food coloring instead. The term “velvet” refers to the soft and tender crumbs of the cake, which differ from denser cakes.
3 Variations of Red Velvet Brownies
Red velvet flavor is chocolate since red velvet cakes and other red velvet recipes start with a chocolate cake base. Chocolate pairs well with other sweet and tangy flavors, meaning you can use various ingredients to make different versions of red velvet brownies. Here are three ideas for enhancing your recipe:
- 1. Cheesecake swirl red velvet brownies: Make a thick cheesecake batter and swirl it into the red velvet brownie batter after it’s in the baking pan. The tangy cheesecake balances out the sweetness of the chocolate brownies.
- 2. Cream cheese–frosted red velvet brownies: Cream cheese frosting is a classic choice for modern red velvet cake, but it works well on brownies, too. Cream cheese frosting on baked and cooled red velvet brownies mimics a cheesecake flavor, and the creaminess complements the texture of the chewy and fudgy brownies.
- 3. White chocolate chip red velvet brownies: Mix white chocolate chips into the red velvet brownie batter. The chocolate chips add more sweetness and a crunchy texture to the brownies after they cool. Alternatively, melt white chocolate and drizzle it over the brownies.
Red Velvet Brownies Recipe
makes
9 browniesprep time
10 mintotal time
35 mincook time
25 minIngredients
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2
Grease a square baking dish with cooking spray and line the dish with parchment paper.
- 3
In a mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, and white chocolate chips.
- 4
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter.
- 5
Pour the melted butter into a large mixing bowl.
- 6
Stir the cocoa powder into the melted butter.
- 7
Whisk the brown sugar into the butter and cocoa powder.
- 8
Mix in the eggs, one at a time.
- 9
Add the vanilla extract and red food coloring.
- 10
Gently stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients.
- 11
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan.
- 12
Bake the brownies until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
- 13
Cool the brownies to room temperature.
- 14
If you’re using a cream cheese frosting, frost the cooled brownies. Slice the brownies into equal-sized pieces.
- 15
Serve the brownies immediately or store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
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