Red Velvet Brownies

Red Velvet Brownies with cream cheese frosting is a show-stopping dessert perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and special occasions.

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Red velvet brownies with cake mix

There is just something incredibly rich and decadent about Red Velvet cake, and these easy Red Velvet brownies with cake mix offer the same self-indulgence without the hassle of baking, serving, or storing a cake made from scratch.

Take these brownies from just merely good to downright spectacular with the homemade cream cheese frosting. You can make a batch of these beauties in less than thirty minutes, so you are always ready to impress an unexpected guest or two.

What is red velvet cake?

Despite what you might have thought, Red Velvet cake is not just chocolate cake with red dye. While most modern Red Velvet cakes do contain food coloring, it wasn’t always that way.

The first Red Velvet cakes were not the same vibrant red that we are used to today, but rather more of a rich mahogany. The deep red color occurred naturally from the addition of two of the more unusual ingredients in a Red Velvet cake recipe: buttermilk and vinegar.

Buttermilk and vinegar may seem like odd things to add to a cake, but these two ingredients help create the Red Velvet cake’s signature color and flavor. The color comes from how buttermilk and vinegar react with the cocoa powder. Since both ingredients are slightly acidic, they add a pleasant taste that elevates the cake’s chocolatey goodness.

And if you have ever wondered why the term ‘velvet’ is used in the name of the cake, it goes back to the 1800s when people used the word to describe a moist, denser cake with a small crumb in contrast to lighter, more airy cakes with a large crumb.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need to make these red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting:

• Red velvet cake mix (Duncan Hines recommended)
• Vegetable oil 
• Eggs 
• Cream cheese 
• Butter
• Vanilla extract 
• Powdered sugar 
• Sprinkles (optional)

How to make red velvet brownies

1. Place cake mix, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
2. Beat until well combined.
3. Pour the batter into an 8 X 8-inch square cake pan that has been lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 23 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Remove the brownies from the pan and allow it to cool.
6. Place cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a mixing bowl.
7. Beat until fluffy.
8. Add half of the powdered sugar and mix well. 
9. Add remaining powdered sugar and beat until uniform.
10. Spread frosting over the top of the brownies.
11. Top with sprinkles if desired.

12. Cut into 2 X 2-inch squares.
13. Enjoy!

Tips for baking, serving, and storing easy red velvet brownies

There are lots of Red Velvet cake mix you can choose from. Look for a box that has instructions on the back for an 8 x 8 pan. If you are a little wary of choosing the wrong one, look for the Red Velvet Brownies Duncan Hines mix in the store.

Use the right 8 x 8 pan. Ideally, use an aluminum pan with about a 2-inch rim. Stay away from silicone or glass pans if you like a crusty brownie exterior. Darker colored pans tend to make it easy to overbake brownies.

Don’t forget about carry-over cooking. The insides of the brownies will continue to cook even after you take them out of the oven. So, remove the pan from the oven as soon as the toothpick comes out clean. Remember, the goal is not to have an ooey-gooey center for this particular brownie recipe. It is not only okay but preferable for your brownies to have a cake consistency.

Cool completely before cutting and frosting. Don’t jump the gun. Your brownies have to be completely cool before frosting. We are talking about hours here. Remember to frost your brownies before frosting them.

Store brownies on the counter. Cut and frosted brownies will last about 48 hours in an airtight container, while uncut and unfrosted brownies will stay fresh for about four days. You can freeze tightly wrapped uncut and unfrosted brownies for around three months.

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More red velvet recipes

• Red Velvet Cheesecake
• Waldorf Astoria Red Velvet Cake
• Red Velvet Cake from Scratch
• Denny’s Red Velvet Pancake Puppies

Favorite holiday desserts

• Jello Poke Cake
• Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake
• Double Chocolate Coca Cola Cake
• Chocolate Pistachio Cake
• Chocolate Fondue Recipe
• Chocolate Cream Pie
• Coconut Cream Pie
• Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
• Eggnog Pie
• Cake Mix Cookies

Be sure to check out more of my easy brownie recipes and the best holiday recipes here on CopyKat.com!