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Red Velvet Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 85 reviews

Deliciously rich and moist Red Velvet Cookie Bars topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting. These bars combine the classic flavors of red velvet cake with the chewy texture of cookies, baked in a pan for easy serving and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for parties, holidays, or any occasion needing a decadent treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry 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

Cookie Dough

  • 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 (in addition to the full egg)
  • 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 brick style cream cheese
  • 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1–2 tablespoons cream (whipping cream or table cream), if needed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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 around the edges 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 butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
  4. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the whole egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar to the butter mixture until fully incorporated and there are no lumps of butter visible.
  5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. If needed, sift the dry ingredients to prevent lumps. Mix on low speed until no streaks or lumps of dry ingredients remain.
  6. Form the Cookie Base: Spoon the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan. Spread and press it into an even layer using a piece of wax paper between your hand and the dough to prevent sticking.
  7. Bake the Cookie Bars: Place the pan in the middle rack of your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is set and the edges start to pull away from the pan sides.
  8. Cool Completely: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool fully in the pan before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
  9. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and lump-free.
  10. Add Powdered Sugar and Flavor: Sift in 2 cups of the powdered sugar, then add vanilla extract and salt. Beat on low to combine thoroughly.
  11. Adjust Sweetness and Texture: Continue adding the remaining powdered sugar gradually (about 1/2 cup at a time) until your desired sweetness and frosting thickness is achieved. If frosting feels too thick, beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons of cream to loosen it.
  12. Remove Bars from Pan: If you used parchment paper, lift the fully cooled bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and set on a cutting board. If pan was greased only, keep bars in the pan.
  13. Frost the Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars using a flat edge knife. Optionally, decorate with sprinkles or desired toppings.
  14. Slice and Serve: Using a thin, sharp knife, slice the bars into squares for serving. Enjoy your moist, flavorful red velvet cookie bars!

Notes

  • Use brick-style full-fat cream cheese for best frosting texture and flavor.
  • Red food coloring can be adjusted to your desired intensity; gel tends to produce more vibrant color.
  • Press the dough gently with wax paper to avoid sticking and maintain an even layer.
  • Cool the bars completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • For easier cutting, chill the frosted bars slightly before slicing.
  • If the frosting is too thick, add cream a little at a time to loosen it without making it runny.

Keywords: Red Velvet, Cookie Bars, Cream Cheese Frosting, Dessert Bars, Holiday Dessert

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/red-velvet-cookie-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/