With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I thought it was the perfect time to dust off my recipe box and feature a dessert which was a huge HIT last year.
I made Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies right before Valentine’s Day and packaged small bundles for family and friends – just a tasty way to say thanks and show appreciation.
Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies is the best of everything I love – rich red cake and cheesecake frosting.
*swoon*
You mix the dry ingredients and wet separately and then add them together. What you’ll get is a very thick batter, which forms the harder base of the brownies. So, when you get a huge deep red ball of what resembles dough, don’t worry, that’s exactly what you want to happen. You then dump this batter-ball {except for 3/4 cup} into a greased pan and push it down using a spatula to form an even layer.
Once you mix the cream cheese frosting, it pours nicely onto the bottom brownie layer you just made. If you need to, use the spatula to spread evenly onto the surface. Then, the batter that you saved from the batter-ball {with some added milk} is spooned onto the cream cheese frosting.
Use a knife and swirl the red batter around in the cream cheese frosting, to make the swirls. Don’t push too far down with the knife though, you don’t want to disturb the bottom brownie layer too much. Bake and this is what results …
Once cooled, you can either cut the brownies into sections right in the pan or take it all out to cut. To do this, simply place a cutting board onto the top of the pan and quickly turn the entire pan over. Once turned, gently pat all sides of the pan until the brownie comes loose and falls onto the cutting board. To turn the huge brownie right side up, place another cutting board on top and quickly flip in the same fashion. It’s now the right way up and ready to be cut.
You can always cut into heart shaped brownie bites as well. It IS Valentine’s Day after all! A fun treat for the kids or packaged nicely for loved ones, they’ll go crazy over these Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies!
- 3 1/4 cups flour
- 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 5 tablespoons milk divided
- 1.5 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1.5 8 oz packages cream cheese softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 teaspoons vanilla { I used clear vanilla for the frosting}
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray.
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In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder {set aside}.
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In another bowl whisk together eggs, vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla extract, red food colouring and white vinegar.
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Combine the wet ingredients to the dry, until combined. This batter will be very thick, it's exactly what you want.
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Remove 3/4 cup of the batter and place it into a bowl. Into this separate batter, mix the remaining 3 tablespoons of milk and set aside.
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Pour the original thick batter into the prepared pan. Using a spatula, smooth the batter to all edges and flatten.
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Using a mixer {stand or hand}, beat the cream cheese and sugar until it's fluffy. Then add the eggs and vanilla, and continue beating until the frosting is combined with no lumps.
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Pour the cream cheese frosting onto the red velvet layer, and smooth until it reaches all of the edges.
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Dollop the remaining brownie batter over the cream cheese layer and use the tip of a knife to drag it through the cheesecake frosting, to create swirls.
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Bake for 35 minutes, or until the center is set.
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Let the brownies cool completely before cutting and enjoy!
For more delicious ideas for Valentine’s Day, may I suggest:
- Valentine’s Day Cupcakes
- 2 Ingredient Valentine Bites
- Valentine Cupcake Candy Surprise
- Skinny Raspberry Milkshake
- Cherry Bomb Brownies
Elizabeth Vlug says
Oh these look really good. Thanks for sharing once again.
Tammi says
Thank you Elizabeth!
🙂
Stacie says
YUM! So festive too and perfect for Vday. I love anything cheesecake.
Tammi says
Me too!
Kelsey Apley says
These are gorgeous and sound scrumptious!!! I am so gonna have to make these, cheesecake and brownies are always the best, and I have never had red velvet brownies!!
Tammi says
No? Well then, you just have to try these then!
🙂
Gingermommy says
these look so good! Yum! I never would have thought to make all three of my faves (cheesecake, brownies and red velvet) into one. Brilliant!
Tammi says
Thanks!
🙂
Anna C says
These look delicious must try
kristin says
I love the heart shaped one. I might just have to try these. My hips say no but everything else says yes. These look delicious!!
Tammi says
I know right? Just close your eyes and don’t think of the calories. Don’t even try to count!
Tiffany (Fabulous Mom Blog) says
Red Velvet is my favorite kind of cake, so I know I’d really enjoy these brownies. Thanks for sharing.
Tammi says
Me too Tiffany, it’s soooo good!
sarah sar says
Oh my that looks so good and so pretty!
Tammi says
Thanks Sarah!
Sarah - ITKM says
So pretty and festive! My husband is a big fan of red velvet so these just may make the list!
Raijean says
You are not right for this, these look amazing!
caryn s says
This dessert sounds so heavenly and perfect for Valentine’s day!
Kristen @ My 3 Little Kittens says
WOW! Always impressed Tammi. This is something I have never baked, but definitely need to try!!!!
Tammi says
You need to Kristen!
Heidi C. says
Not only do these sound delicious but they look lovely!
Tammi says
Thanks Heidi!
Anne Taylor says
Now these look amazing for Valentine’s Day! I think my husband and I will make these for our grandkids!
Thanks so much for the recipe!
Tammi says
You should Anne, what a great treat for the family!
🙂
Soozle says
Oooohhhh.. These look amazing! WOW! 🙂 They are perfect for valentines day
kristen visser says
oh my goodness….these look absolutely delicious!! so perfect for Valentines day! gotta try these. thanks for the recipe
Tammi says
You are most welcome!
🙂
kathy downey says
Oh these look really awesome,thanks again for a great recipe
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
they not only look pretty they look delish!
Tammi says
Thanks Chandra!
Judy C (Judy Cowan) says
I have never tried Red Velvet but these look amazing and I love them cut out with the heart shaped cookie cutter, will have to try this recipe out. Thanks for sharing it!
Gord says
These look delicious!
Elva Roberts says
These Red Velvet Cheesecakes Brownies seem to be easy to make and they are certainly ‘eye-Candy.’ Thank you for such a delicious and timely recipe.
Tammi says
You are so welcome!
Amy Heffernan says
These look AMAZING! Thanks for sharing!
Tammi says
Thanks Amy, happy baking!
🙂
Dawn Rader says
there is nothing I love more than cheesecake…except brownies! Thanks for the great recipe. can’t wait to try this!
Tammi says
The perfect combination!!
🙂
trish says
yum!
Susan T. says
These are quite the showstopper! Everyone would be very impressed if I made these!
Stephanie LaPlante says
omg I neeeed this right now
Tammi says
Quick, run into the kitchen and start baking! So worth it!!
Lindsay C says
These sound delicious and I love the marbling – it’s so pretty! I will have to make these for my friends this year and serve them with some bubbly!
Shannon Gnocato says
I’m so going to have to try this recipe! They look awesome
Jessica Z says
These are beautiful! What a great Valentine’s dessert!
Tammi says
Thanks Jessica!
Florence C says
These look delicious. I wish I had one right now.
Jenny says
Oh my! those look yummy!
Lynda Cook says
mmmm, these look so good and I love cheesecake and red velvet, think I might make these for my husband to take into work if there’s any left lol
Debbie W says
OMG! I drooling now. These could become my new addiction.
Catherine says
These look yummy, thank you for sharing the recipe.
jan says
You simply do such a nice job with both the item itself and the photographs. Thanks so much.
Joanne Saunders says
Yummy looking. I am going to try these
Dawn Sutherland says
Brownies and cheesecake ~ Red Velvet!! Sounds like heaven for my KitchenAid this weekend!! 😀
cassandra henninger says
These look great, gotta try them,
Kim Tanti says
2 of my fav’s in one YUM
Mary Vantil says
Yummy
Lana Thompson says
These look fabulous! I can’t wait to try them. Maybe for the kid’s ‘hundreds day party’ at school, which is 2 days before V day
Lesley E says
Wow these look so good…. I think when we go grocery shoping I’ll have to pick up ingredients to try this out!!
Amy @ Marvelous Mommy says
Pinning this one too! 🙂
Amy says
These look so good. I’m a little confused on the cream cheese, is it 12 oz of cream cheese?
JoAnn says
These are delish! Made them on my snowday off! Absolutely a keeper, thanks for sharing 😉
summer says
Is this all purpose flour?
summer says
Is this with all purpose flour?
Rebecca Clancy says
Tammi, these look amazing and I am in the process of making them to take to work, but I just noticed that, in the directions for making the cake part, you mention adding in salt but I’m not seeing salt in the list of ingredients. How much salt should be added?
laina caitlin says
how much salt do you use?
Helen says
I’m in the process of making these now and just noticed that there is no measurement for the salt. Is there no salt in it and that was a type-o? or was the measurement just forgotten?
Patricia Hoffman says
Hi these look wonderful. Question: you have salt being mixed into the brownies but not listed in the ingredients, How much salt?
Jennifer Abel says
Tammi these brownies look so amazing I must make some! Visiting from Mix it up Monday!
Becca Lynn says
Woah wow okay,these look insanely good!
Joyce @ Live Laugh Love Post says
Very delicious! I cannot wait to make this for my husband and boys, we love RED VELVET desserts. I’ve pinned yours in my Pinterest :-). I found yours from #WhipItWednesday Party. Thank you for sharing.
Liisi says
Omg! These look so delicious! 🙂
Elaine says
These look so Yummy!! Hey I would love if you stopped by My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday – Link Party, and share your stuff!! http://www.cookinandcraftin.com/my-2-favorite-things-on-thursday-link-party-3/
Kim @ The Baking ChocolaTess says
The looks really, really awesome! I love red velvet and cheesecake! 🙂 Visiting from Create and Share DIY Party and pinning! 🙂
Teresa says
I love Red Velvet desserts. This looks so easy to make. I had no intention of doing any baking for Valentine’s Day but I may be changing my mind.
Cathy says
So So good! I love the cheesecake part on top, love the red velvet, love the heart shaped one! These are perfect! Saying hello from Freedom Fridays!
Cathy
Jenna says
These look amazing, I love the heart shape one! Going on my to do list for Vday!
danielle says
Thanks so much for linking this yumminess up to the Friday Frenzy – Im sharing this on my FB page!
Create With Joy says
These look AWESOME Tammi! Congrats – you are one of our Featured Guests at Inspire Me Monday #160 at Create With Joy!
Liz @ Liz on Call says
These look beautiful! And delicious! Thanks for linking up to the Creative Exchange.
Miz Helen says
Your Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies will be perfect for a Valentine treat. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Mel says
These look absolutely scrumptious! Definitely pinning for later. Thank you for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in this week’s issue.
Cheryl MacPhail says
What a cool looking icing!! I am so gonna have to try as I just love brownies and cream cheese!! 🙂
Tianna Purdy says
These look sooo good! I have a super awesome brownie recipe that is super unhealthy, and I make them all the time.,,, might have to switch it up!