Fudgy Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Swirl Recipe
These fudgy red velvet brownies combine rich cocoa flavor with the classic red velvet taste and a luscious cream cheese swirl, creating a stunning marbled dessert that’s irresistibly moist and perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies (cut into 4x4 squares) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon red food coloring (or more for deeper color)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until combined. Then whisk in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is smooth, followed by stirring in the vanilla extract.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Prepare Buttermilk Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the buttermilk, red food coloring, and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to combine the wet color and acid elements.
- Combine Dry and Wet: Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
- Add Baking Soda Mixture: In a small cup, mix the remaining 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with the baking soda until it foams slightly. Immediately add this foaming mixture along with the buttermilk mixture to the batter, mixing gently until just incorporated.
- Fold in White Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold in the white chocolate chips if using, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overmixing.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly to ensure uniform baking.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until the frosting is light, creamy, and smooth.
- Swirl Frosting Into Batter: Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese frosting over the brownie batter. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the frosting into the batter to create an attractive marbled effect.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. The edges should appear set, and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist crumbs but not wet batter to ensure a fudgy texture.
- Cool and Cut: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan placed on a wire rack. This cooling step is crucial for clean cutting. Once cooled, lift the brownies out using the parchment overhang and cut them into squares.
- Optional Frosting Layer: For a thicker frosting layer, spread a thin layer of the prepared cream cheese frosting over the cooled brownies before slicing.
Notes
- For the deepest red color, use a high-quality gel-based red food coloring instead of liquid versions.
- To achieve a truly fudgy texture, avoid overbaking and check brownies starting at 30 minutes.
- Let brownies cool fully before cutting to prevent crumbling.
- White chocolate chips add a creamy contrast but can be omitted to keep it classic red velvet.
Keywords: red velvet brownies, fudgy brownies, cream cheese swirl, chocolate dessert, red velvet dessert, homemade brownies
