Red Velvet Brownies

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

red velvet brownie on a plate


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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 for Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Red velvet cake mix (Duncan Hines recommended)
  • Vegetable oil 
  • Eggs 
  • Cream cheese 
  • Butter
  • Vanilla extract 
  • Powdered sugar 
  • Sprinkles (optional)
red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting ingredients

How to Make Red Velvet Brownies

  1. Place cake mix, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
    red velvet cake mix, oil, and eggs in a mixing bowl
  2. Beat until well combined.
    red velvet brownies batter in a mixing bowl
  3. Pour the batter into an 8 X 8-inch square cake pan that has been lined with parchment paper.
    red velvet brownies batter in a parchment lined baking pan
  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.
    baked red velvet brownies on a plate
  6. Place cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a mixing bowl.
    butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in a mixing bowl
  7. Beat until fluffy.
    whipped butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in a mixing bowl
  8. Add half of the powdered sugar and mix well. 
  9. Add remaining powdered sugar and beat until uniform.
    cream cheese frosting in a mixing bowl
  10. Spread frosting over the top of the brownies.
    whole frosted red velvet brownies before being sliced into pieces
  11. Top with sprinkles if desired.
    whole red velvet brownies with frosting and sprinkles before being sliced into pieces
  12. Cut into 2 X 2-inch squares.
red velvet brownie with cream cheese frosting on a white plate

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.

We have more great dessert recipes and a lot more on Facebook!

red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles

More Red Velvet Recipes

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

red velvet brownie piece on a fork in front of the brownie

Red Velvet Brownies

Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting is a tasty dessert perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and special occasions. Get the easy recipe and find out how to make the best red velvet brownies from a box cake mix and homemade cream cheese frosting. These scrumptious brownies are moist, cakey and sure to be a hit.
5 from 5 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Red Velvet Brownies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 239kcal

Ingredients

Red Velvet Brownie Ingredients

  • 1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 5 ounces butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • sprinkles optional

Instructions

Brownie directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix, oil, and eggs together. Pour into an 8×8 cake pan that has been lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake for 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from pan and allow the brownies to cool.

Cream cheese frosting directions

  • Prepare frosting by beating cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together with a mixer until fluffy.
  • Add half of powdered sugar and mix well.
  • Add remaining powdered sugar and beat until uniform.
  • When the brownies have cooled add the frosting, and top with sprinkles if desired.

Equipment

Mixer

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 23mg | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 462IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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