Name: Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
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 and 1 large egg yolk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon red food coloring; 1/2 teaspoon vinegar; 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (brick style); 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1-2 tablespoons cream

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There’s something wonderfully festive about the warmth and richness that fills the kitchen when baking Red Velvet Cookie Bars. Imagine the sweet aroma wafting through your home, hinting at the rich cocoa and buttery goodness lurking within each square. As these cookie bars bake, the vibrant red color deepens, promising a rich taste experience that tempts even the most disciplined dessert lover.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Red Velvet Cookie Bars

For me, these bars bring back happy memories of sharing treats at family gatherings and potlucks. The striking color always catches the eye, instantly adding a celebratory touch to any event. Whether it’s a holiday party or a simple afternoon snack with friends, these cookie bars are sure to bring smiles and spark joy all around. Are you ready to whip up a batch of these soft, chewy delights that are beautifully adorned with creamy frosting? Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Made in under an hour, perfect for last-minute bake sales or cravings.
Irresistible Flavor: Rich red velvet flavor accented by tangy cream cheese frosting—each bite is a delight!
Eye-Catching Appeal: The vibrant red color and creamy frosting make these bars a showstopper at any gathering.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for dessert, snack time, or even breakfast (who are we to judge?).
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adapt with gluten-free flour or dairy-free cream cheese for diverse diets.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base of your cookie bars, providing structure. For a gluten-free version, consider a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
3 tablespoons cocoa powder: Unsweetened cocoa adds essential chocolate notes to balance the sweetness. Look for high-quality cocoa for the best flavor.
1/2 teaspoon baking powder: This helps the cookie bars rise and become soft. Baking soda can be a substitute if needed.
1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Aids in achieving a nice, chewy texture. Make sure it’s fresh to ensure it activates properly.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness. Don’t skip this; it’s key to great flavor.
1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Butter provides richness and moisture. Always use softened butter for easy mixing; you can microwave butter for a few seconds to soften if needed.
3/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that lovely cookie texture.
1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark): Brown sugar adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor, making these bars extra special.
1 large egg and 1 large egg yolk: The whole egg adds moisture, while the yolk helps with richness and chewiness.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Pure vanilla adds warmth and depth to the flavors.
1 tablespoon red food coloring: This gives that classic red velvet color. Feel free to use less, depending on your preference for intensity.
1/2 teaspoon vinegar: A touch of vinegar helps react with the baking soda for a lighter texture, and it also enhances the red hue.
8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (brick style): Essential for creamy frosting. Avoid spreadable cheese; it won’t frost well.
2 1/2 – 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar: This sweetens your frosting—adjust based on how sweet you like it.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness of the frosting for optimal flavor.
1-2 tablespoons cream: Used to thin the frosting; adjust depending on your desired thickness.

Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan or line it with parchment paper, allowing the edges to hang over. This little trick makes it easier to lift out the bars later, resulting in neat, beautiful squares that you’ll be excited to share.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This step ensures that all the leavening agents are evenly distributed, which is key to achieving the perfect texture. Set it aside for later!

Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is creamy and light. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Then, add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar, ensuring no lumps of butter remain. This is where the magic happens! The red color combined with the rich sweetness starts to come together beautifully.

Fold Together Gently: Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed to prevent any flour clouds. Continue until the batter is free of lumps, but be careful not to overmix; you want soft bars, not tough ones! Spoon the dough into your prepared pan, using a piece of wax paper between your hands and the dough helps with pressing it down without sticking.

Bake Until Golden: Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the top looks set and the edges start to pull away from the sides. You can check for doneness by inserting a toothpick—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Don’t be tempted to skip the cooling; it’s vital for the frosting to stick properly!

Make Your Frosting: While the bars cool, whip up the cream cheese frosting! In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy. Sift in 2 cups of powdered sugar and add vanilla and salt. Start mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud, then gradually beat in more powdered sugar until you reach your desired sweetness. If the frosting feels too thick, add a tablespoon or two of cream until it’s spreadable.

Frost and Slice: Once the bars are completely cooled, if you used parchment paper, lift them out of the pan. Otherwise, leave them in the pan. Use a flat-edged knife to frost the bars evenly, adding sprinkles if you’re feeling whimsical! When ready to slice, a thin, sharp knife will do the trick. Cut them into squares for easy serving!

Storing & Reheating

Store your Red Velvet Cookie Bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, they can be refrigerated for up to a week. Just be sure to place them in a container to maintain their texture. For longer storage, freeze the bars for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy again, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and then warm briefly in the microwave at a low power setting for a few seconds to refresh their soft, chewy texture.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature for the best mixing results.
Don’t overmix the dough; it can result in tough bars instead of soft and chewy ones.
If your frosting is too thick, add cream a little at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
For a touch of flavor enrichment, try adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the cookie dough.
Preparing ahead of time? You can make the bars and freeze them without frosting—just frost them when you’re ready to serve for that fresh taste!

Elevate your baking game with these luscious Red Velvet Cookie Bars. Their rich flavor, vibrant color, and soft texture make them a hit for any occasion—whether it’s a cozy family gathering or an evening treat at home. Feel free to experiment with the frosting to suit your taste. Maybe a drizzle of chocolate or a sprinkle of nuts? No matter how you enjoy them, these cookie bars are bound to bring smiles all around. Happy baking!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these Red Velvet Cookie Bars gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend. Just be sure to double-check that your other ingredients, like the baking powder and cocoa powder, are also gluten-free.

How long do these cookie bars last?

If stored in an airtight container at room temperature, your Red Velvet Cookie Bars will stay fresh for about 3 days. They can also be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw before serving!

Can I use less food coloring?

Yes, you can definitely adjust the amount of food coloring to your liking. If you prefer a lighter color, simply reduce the red food coloring. The flavor will remain delightful, just a bit less visually striking!

How should I store the cream cheese frosting?

If you have leftover cream cheese frosting, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a quick stir before using again, to bring back the creamy consistency!