Red Velvet Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Introduction

Red Velvet Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on the classic cake, combining rich cocoa flavor with a vibrant red hue in a soft, chewy bar. Topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting, these bars make the perfect treat for any occasion.

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
• 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
• 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 to 2 tablespoons cream, whipping cream, or table cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and smooth.
4. Step 4: Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar to the butter mixture. Beat until the mixture is smooth and no chunks of butter remain.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. If the dry ingredients are clumpy, sift them in. Mix on low speed until fully incorporated with no streaks of flour.
6. Step 6: Transfer the dough into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. To press it down smoothly without sticking, place wax paper over the dough and gently press with your hands.
7. Step 7: Bake in the center of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is set and edges begin to pull away from the pan.
8. Step 8: Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
9. Step 9: For the frosting, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together in a large bowl until smooth and lump-free.
10. Step 10: Sift in 2 cups of powdered sugar, then add vanilla and salt. Beat on low speed until combined.
11. Step 11: Gradually add remaining powdered sugar in 1/2 cup increments until frosting reaches your desired sweetness and thickness. If needed, beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons of cream to adjust consistency.
12. Step 12: If using parchment, lift the cooled bars from the pan using the overhang and place on a cutting board. If not, leave bars in the pan.
13. Step 13: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars with a flat knife. Optionally decorate with sprinkles.
14. Step 14: Slice into bars using a thin, sharp knife and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red without adding extra liquid to the dough.
• Press dough gently with wax paper to avoid sticking and achieve an even layer.
• For a richer frosting, ensure cream cheese and butter are softened but not melted.
• Sprinkle chopped pecans or white chocolate chips on the frosting before it sets for added texture.

Storage

Store cooled and frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. You can also freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months; thaw completely before frosting and serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use natural cocoa powder instead of Dutch-processed cocoa?

Yes, you can use natural cocoa powder, but the texture and color might be slightly different. Dutch-processed cocoa tends to give a deeper color and smoother flavor in red velvet recipes.

What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?

You can substitute with a buttercream frosting or whipped cream if you prefer, but the classic tangy flavor of cream cheese is a signature of red velvet bars.

Red Velvet Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 136 reviews

These Red Velvet Cookie Bars combine the rich and indulgent flavors of red velvet cake with the chewy, soft texture of cookie bars. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, they’re the perfect sweet treat for any occasion, offering a delightful balance of cocoa, vanilla, and tangy cream cheese in every bite.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 to 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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, light or dark
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 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 to 2 tablespoons cream, whipping cream, or table cream (if needed)

Instructions

1. Preheat 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 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 well combined.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and fully creamed.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar into the butter and sugar mixture until smooth and free of visible lumps of butter.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Start mixing on low speed to avoid flour flying out. Continue mixing until no lumps or streaks of dry ingredients remain.
6. Transfer to Baking Pan: Spoon the dough into the prepared pan. Spread or press it into an even layer. To prevent sticking when pressing, place a piece of wax paper between your hands and the dough.
7. Bake: Place the pan in the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until the top appears set and the edges begin to pull away from the pan.
8. Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
9. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and lump-free.
10. Incorporate Sugar and Salt: Sift in 2 cups of powdered sugar, then add vanilla extract and salt. Beat on low speed to combine.
11. Adjust Sweetness and Consistency: Gradually beat in the remaining powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, until the frosting reaches your preferred sweetness and thickness. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of cream if needed to loosen the frosting.
12. Frost Bars: If you lined your pan with parchment, lift out the cooled bars using the parchment overhang and place on a cutting board. If not, frost directly in the pan. Use a flat-edge knife to spread the frosting evenly over the bars.
13. Decorate and Slice: Optionally, add sprinkles on top for decoration. Slice the bars with a thin, sharp knife for clean pieces.

Notes

• Using pudding or gel food coloring enhances the red hue without adding extra liquid to the dough.
• Make sure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Sifting the powdered sugar removes lumps and ensures a creamy frosting texture.
• Pressing the dough with wax paper prevents it from sticking to your hands.
• Cool bars completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
• You can store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives.

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