Description

Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cookie Bars are a delightful dessert with a rich flavor and creamy frosting. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, these bars are simple to prepare and utterly delicious, making them a must-try for anyone craving a sweet treat.

Ingredients

Scale

2 1/4 cup 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 vinegar, distilled or white vinegar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened but not starting to melt
8 ounces full-fat cream cheese
2 1/2 – 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sift if lumpy
1/4 teaspoon salt
1–2 tablespoons cream, whipping cream or table cream, if needed

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) pan or line with parchment paper with overhang.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
Beat in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar until well combined and no lumps remain.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until smooth and combined.
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan, using wax paper to press it down if needed.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until set and edges start pulling away from the sides.
Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Notes

For best results, measure flour accurately by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off.
Feel free to adjust the amount of red food coloring to achieve your desired color intensity.
These cookie bars can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 350
Sugar: 28g
Sodium: 200mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 43g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 65mg