Our fudgy red velvet brownies are rich and delicious! They have a beautiful, deep red color and are topped with homemade cream cheese frosting. You may also like our classic red velvet cake recipe or red velvet cookies made with cake mix.

These red velvet brownies are really easy to make. Just throw everything in a large bowl, mix, and bake!

Make a frosting with simple ingredients like cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lots of vanilla. You can also add some mix-ins like white chocolate chips or do a little cheesecake swirl in the batter before baking. 

Our red velvet brownies are really sweet and rich. They’re thick, dense, and fudgy—not cakey. I honestly love them with or without the frosting!

We hope you love this red velvet brownies recipe as much as we do! Be sure to also check out more of our soul food dessert recipes. 

What we love about homemade red velvet brownies ❤️

  • Fudgy texture: These brownies are chewy and fudgy, not cakey. That first bite just melts in your mouth.
  • Easy to make: These one-bowl brownies are super simple! Even a beginner baker can make this recipe.
  • Classic cocoa flavor: If you like red velvet, then you will LOVE these brownies. The flavor is so rich and delicious.

Ingredients

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

  • Unsalted butter: Melted butter, or at least softened to room temperature, so that it mixes well with the sugars and oil.
  • Sugar: This recipe uses both white granulated sugar and brown sugar (either light or dark brown sugar). We like to use both for flavor.
  • Vegetable oil: Helps give these brownies their fudgy texture. Canola oil is a great substitute.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: For that classic red velvet flavor.
  • Cornstarch: Adds moisture to the brownies so they’re nice and fudy.
  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt: Use half the amount if you’re swapping with table salt.
  • Red gel food coloring: We used AmeriColor Super Red Soft Gel Paste. It’s an oil-based food coloring, and you only need a few drops to get bright red color. If using liquid food coloring, you may need to double the amount to get these brownies a deep red color.
  • Distilled white vinegar: Works with the red food coloring to create that beautiful red color. You can’t taste it! 
  • Eggs + egg yolk: Adds moisture, richness, and binds everything together. 
  • All-purpose flour: Be sure to measure with a kitchen scale for accuracy.
  • Mix-Ins (optional): Chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or cream cheese swirl can be added to the brownie batter before baking.

Cream cheese frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

What you’ll need to this recipe

  • An 8- or 9-inch square pan: This Fat Daddio aluminum square cake pan is our favorite.
  • Parchment paper to line the pan and prevent sticking
  • Nonstick cooking spray for greasing
  • Whisk, spatula or wooden spoon to combine ingredients
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer is helpful to make the cream cheese frosting

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How to make red velvet brownies

Detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Step 1. Preheat oven to 335°F and line a square cake pan with parchment paper greased with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2. Melt butter in a large mixing bowl.

Step 3. Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.

Add cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.

Stir well combine.

Step 4. Add eggs and extra egg yolk.

Step 5. Whisk in food coloring.

Step 6. Fold in flour.

Be careful not to overmix.

Step 7. Pour brownie batter into the prepared pan.

Step 8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 9. Remove from the oven and let the brownies cool completely before frosting.

Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

Add a cream cheese frosting to your red velvet brownies!

Step 1. Beat cream cheese and butter (both softened to room temperature) together until it’s smooth and creamy.

It’s helpful to use a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

Step 2. Add 3 cups powdered sugar, a little bit at a time, while mixing on low speed until incorporated. Once all the sugar is added, increase the speed and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Step 3. Add vanilla extract and mix again until well combined. Taste and adjust with more powdered sugar or vanilla, if desired. 

Tips for the best fudgy brownies

  • For the best results, use a spatula and fold in the flour until it’s just combined. 
  • It’s best to use room temperature ingredients, especially eggs and butter, because it makes it easier to mix everything.
  • Also remember that gel food coloring is more concentrated than liquid, so you don’t need as much to get a deep red velvet color. If you opt for liquid food coloring, you may need to use more.
  • Make sure thee brownies have cooled down completely before you add the cream cheese frosting, otherwise, the frosting will melt and get all runny. 

More Red Velvet Recipes

Old Fashioned Red Velvet Cake

Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Red Velvet Brownie Recipe

Krysten & Marrekus Wilkes
Our fudgy red velvet brownies are rich and delicious! They have a beautiful, deep red color and are topped with homemade cream cheese frosting. You may also like our classic red velvet cake recipe or red velvet cookies made with cake mix.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9 brownies

Ingredients
  

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar packed
  • cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • teaspoons red gel food coloring
  • ¾ teaspoon white vinegar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 335°F. Line a 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper and lightly grease with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a large, microwave safe bowl, melt the butter.
  • Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, cornstarch, salt, food coloring, and vinegar until smooth and combined.
  • Add eggs and egg yolk and whisk to combine.
  • Then, fold in flour, being careful not to overmix to avoid adding air into the batter.
  • Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  • Remove from the oven and let the brownies cool completely before frosting.

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed and beat until light and fluffy.
  • Add the vanilla extract and mix again until well combined. Taste and adjust with more vanilla or powdered sugar, if desired.
  • Once the brownies have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.

Notes

Store red velvet brownies in the refrigerator in an airtight container; they will stay fresh for about 3–5 days. Just let them sit out for about 10 or 15 minutes when you take them out the refrigerator.
Keyword red velvet brownies
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