Red Velvet Brownies Cream Cheese Swirl (Printable)
Fudgy red velvet squares enhanced with a creamy, tangy swirl. A delightful treat combining rich cocoa with sweet notes.
# What You’ll Need:
→ For the Brownie Batter
01 - 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 1/2 tablespoons red food coloring (liquid or gel)
06 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ For the Cream Cheese Swirl
09 - 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1 large egg yolk
12 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on all sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until well combined. Incorporate the large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and red food coloring, mixing until the batter is smooth.
03 - Sift the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt into the wet mixture. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined, taking care not to overmix the batter.
04 - Reserve 1/4 cup of the prepared brownie batter for the swirl. Evenly spread the remaining brownie batter into the parchment-lined baking pan.
05 - In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, egg yolk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.
06 - Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter in the pan. Distribute dollops of the reserved brownie batter on top of the cream cheese layer.
07 - Using a knife or a skewer, gently swirl the cream cheese and brownie batters together to create an attractive marbled effect across the surface.
08 - Bake for 33–36 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick inserted into the brownie comes out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
09 - Allow the brownies to cool completely within the pan before carefully lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang. Once cooled, cut into squares for serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You'll love how incredibly fudgy and rich the brownie base is, a true chocolate dream with a sophisticated twist.
- The tangy cream cheese swirl cuts through the richness beautifully, making each bite a delightful balance of flavors that just keeps you coming back for more.
02 -
- Resist the urge to cut into these brownies while they're still warm; letting them cool completely is the secret to clean cuts and that perfect fudgy texture.
- Always ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature for the swirl; lumpy cream cheese will never swirl smoothly and can affect the final texture.
03 -
- For an even richer brownie base, consider folding in 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips along with the dry ingredients; the contrast is divine.
- If you're using liquid food coloring, you might need a tiny bit more to achieve that vibrant red, but add it gradually to avoid thinning the batter too much.