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Red Velvet Cookie Bars Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 150 reviews
  • Author: Gabriel
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 24 bars (2-inch squares) 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Delightfully rich and moist Red Velvet Cookie Bars topped with a creamy, luscious cream cheese frosting. These bars combine the classic flavors of red velvet cake with the chewy texture of cookies, baked to perfection in a single pan. Ideal for dessert lovers craving a balance of sweetness and tanginess in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 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

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk (in addition to the full egg)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring (liquid or gel)
  • 1/2 teaspoon distilled or white vinegar

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened but not melting
  • 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (brick style)
  • 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1–2 tablespoons cream (whipping or table cream), if needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking pan or line it with parchment paper leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined evenly.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  4. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the whole egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar into the butter and sugar mixture until no visible lumps of butter remain and the color is consistent.
  5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Begin mixing on low speed to avoid flour flying everywhere. Mix until the dough is homogenous with no lumps or streaks of flour.
  6. Spread Dough in Pan: Transfer the dough into the prepared pan. Use a spatula or your hands (with a piece of wax paper between your palms and the dough) to spread and press the dough into an even layer.
  7. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top looks set and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan.
  8. Cool Completely: Remove the cookie bars from the oven and allow to cool fully in the pan before frosting. This can take about 1 to 2 hours at room temperature.
  9. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth without lumps.
  10. Add Powdered Sugar and Flavorings: Sift in 2 cups of powdered sugar along with the vanilla extract and salt. Beat on low until combined.
  11. Adjust Sweetness and Consistency: Gradually beat in the remaining powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, until you reach your preferred sweetness and thickness. If needed, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of cream to achieve spreadable consistency.
  12. Frost the Bars: If you used parchment paper, lift the cooled bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and place on a cutting board. Otherwise, keep the bars in the pan. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using a flat knife.
  13. Optional Decoration and Serving: Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Use a thin, sharp knife to slice into bars and serve.

Notes

  • Using parchment paper with an overhang makes it easier to remove the bars without breaking.
  • Adjust the amount of red food coloring according to your color preference.
  • Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened but not melted for a smoother frosting.
  • Let the bars cool completely before frosting to prevent frosting from melting.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: red velvet bars, cream cheese frosting, cookie bars, red velvet dessert, easy red velvet recipe

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Find it online: https://gabriellangdon.com/red-velvet-cookie-bars-recipe/