Description
Soft, chewy Red Velvet Cookie Bars topped with silky cream cheese frosting. A festive, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s easy to make and perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime you’re craving something sweet and cozy.
Ingredients
Red Velvet Cookie Bars
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring (liquid or gel, or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
8 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese
2 1/2–3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1–2 tablespoons cream (whipping or table cream), if needed
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan or line with parchment paper with an overhang.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla, food coloring, and vinegar. Mix until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low until combined.
Press dough evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake 25–30 minutes, or until the top looks set and edges begin to pull away. Cool completely.
For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then salt and cream if needed.
Frost cooled bars, slice into squares, and enjoy.
Notes
For a lighter red color, reduce the food coloring.
Add white chocolate chips to the batter for extra sweetness.
Chill the bars before slicing for cleaner cuts.
Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 298 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 158 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 47 mg