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Red Velvet Swirl Cheesecake Brownies

Red velvet swirl cheesecake brownies—doesn’t that just sound like the best dessert?

These rich and decadent brownies are loaded with cream cheese and topped with a festive swirl of red velvet brownie batter.

Whether you’re looking for a delicious dessert to take to a party or just something special to satisfy your sweet tooth, these brownies are sure to impress.

A Beautiful Red Velvet Dessert

red velvet swirl brownies on a counter

I love this recipe because it’s not only mouthwateringly delicious, but it’s the perfect brownies with a perfect red velvet flavor.

There are two layers, a chocolate brownie layer and a sweet cream cheese swirl layer for a wonderful combination of flavors.

It’s the perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day with a festive red color, or for any day for that matter.

The recipe is surprisingly easy to make and turns out so delicious. It’s the perfect treat.

A Dessert And An Event For Valentine’s Day

I’m thrilled to be able to participate in this year’s Valentine’s event. It’s my first time, but it’s the sixth year for the event, and we want to continue to make a big difference in the fight against pediatric cancer.

I am joining up with other bloggers to share in this event. Be sure do check out all of the other bloggers joining in this cause at their links below.

Cancer is the #1 cause of death of children by disease in the U.S. There are 40,000 U.S. children actively battling cancer as we speak. The National Cancer Institute’s budget for childhood cancer is sadly less than 4%. It’s way too small of a small number, and that’s why I wanted to get involved and help raise awareness and funds.

And with the ongoing pandemic, children are still being diagnosed with cancer. It’s imperative that we raise awareness and continue to raise funds to fund the ongoing pediatric cancer research!

Help us make a difference by donating to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer! Our goal is to raise at least $3000, because these three companies: OXO, Mediavine and Dixie Crystals have each pledged to match our donations raised through this campaign up to $3000! That means when we raise $1, it turns into $4!

We have until March 15th to raise $3000! So please donate today!

Thank you to so many of you who have already donated. We’d love for you to help us reach our goal so we can get the full matching donations and help all of us make an even bigger difference!

Donate here today.

red velvet swirl cheesecake brownies

What Ingredients Are Needed For Red Velvet Swirl Cheesecake Brownies

Red Velvet Brownie Ingredients

  • Melted butter
  • Vanilla extract
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • All-purpose flour
  • White granulated sugar
  • Salt
  • Red food coloring
  • White vinegar
  • Eggs

Cheesecake Topping

  • Cream cheese, softened
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • White granulated sugar

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Easy Directions For Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies

  1. Add the cocoa, flour, eggs, sugar, red food coloring, melted butter, vinegar, vanilla extract, and salt to a large bowl and mix well.
  2. Spread three-fourths of the batter into a prepared baking pan.
  3. In another bowl, add the cream cheese and mix with a hand mixer.
  4. Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, and sugar and mix well.
  5. Spread over the red velvet brownies.
  6. Dollop the remainder of the brownie mix on top of the cream cheese in several locations.
  7. Take a knife and swirl it through the cream cheese mixture.
  8. Bake for 30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean (the brownies will still be a little gooey).
  9. Allow the brownies to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing. (The dessert slices best after being refrigerated for at least one hour).

Homemade Red Velvet Brownies Step-By-Step Instructions

Cocoa and flour in a glass bowl

Start by adding the unsweetened cocoa powder and all-purpose flour to a large mixing bowl.

Sugar in a glass bowl

Next, add the white granulated sugar to the bowl.

pouring butter into a glass bowl

Pour the melted butter into the bowl.

Adding eggs to a bowl with brownie ingredients

Add the eggs to the bowl.

red food coloring in a bowl

Pour the red food coloring in.

I used one tablespoon of food coloring, but you can use less if you’d like to. It really depends on how red you want it to be.

Pouring vinegar into a bowl

Pour the vinegar into the bowl and mix the ingredients.

The vinegar will help make the color much more vibrant. It’s all science. I don’t know what it is, but it’s science.

It’s like when we add vinegar to our Easter egg dye. It makes it brighter.

Brownie batter in a glass baking dish

Spread three-fourths of your brownie batter into an 8-inch by 8-inch greased square pan.

Set the red velvet batter to the side while you get the cheesecake layer ready.

As a side note, you can also use some parchment paper on the bottom of the pan so you can lift the brownies out easily after they have cooked and cooled.

I greased my pan, and they came out fine, but the parchment paper is another option.

Brownie batter in a bowl

Save about a fourth of the batter. You will be adding it to the top of the cheesecake batter to swirl it in and give it that pretty effect.

Cream Cheese Mixture

Cream cheese in a glass bowl

Add the softened cream cheese to a medium bowl.

If you are like me and often forget to leave the cream cheese out to soften, you can just cream it with an electric mixer a little more.

Adding sugar into a glass bowl

Next, add the egg and the sugar to the bowl and mix well.

Pouring vanilla extract into a bowl with cream cheese

Pour the vanilla extract into the bowl and mix.

Cream cheese spread on top of brownie batter

Gently spread the cream cheese mixture over the top of the homemade brownies and spread it to the edge.

Brownie batter on top of cream cheese mixture

Take the remainder of your red velvet brownie batter and dollop it in several places on top of the cream cheese mixture.

Red velvet swirl brownie batter in a dish

Take a knife and run it through the brownie batter, creating swirls.

If you are a big chocolate lover, like me, you can sprinkle some chocolate chips on top for extra decadent red velvet brownies.

baked red velvet swirl brownies

Bake the brownies for about 30 minutes. After they bake, allow them to cool for at least an hour.

I will let them cool for about half an hour, and then I will place them into the refrigerator for a couple of hours to firm up even more.

Just make sure you have a hot pad under your pan if you place it in the refrigerator, so you don’t break your glass shelves.

The brownies will still be moist and still fudgy brownies after 30 minutes of baking. If you want them a little more dry, bake them for a few more minutes, but be mindful of the top getting too brown.

How To Store The Brownies

The brownies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Because of the cream cheese, the dessert will need to be refrigerated.

Red velvet brownies

Other Favorite Desserts:

sliced red velvet swirl brownies

If you’re looking for something to take to your next holiday party or just want a delicious treat, these brownies are the answer.

With cream cheese and red velvet swirls baked in, there is no doubt that they will be gone quickly!

Get the recipe here so you can start baking them today.

baked red velvet swirl brownies

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Yield: 12 pieces
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Move over pumpkin spice, it's time to get ready for red velvet season! These cheesecake brownies combine two of my favorite desserts into one mouth-watering treat. The rich chocolate brownie is loaded with creamy cheesecake and swirled with decadent red velvet brownie making them the perfect dessert for any special occasion. Trust me, these will be gone in no time!

Ingredients

Brownie Layer

  • 8 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Cheesecake Layer

  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350-degrees and grease an 8-inch by 8-inch square baking dish.
  2. Add the cocoa, flour, sugar, eggs, red food coloring, melted butter, salt, vanilla extract, and vinegar, and mix well.
  3. Spread three-fourths of the batter into the baking dish and set aside (reserving the small amount to top the cheesecake layer).
  4. In another bowl, add the cream cheese and mix with an electric mixer.
  5. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and sugar and mix well.
  6. Gently spread over the brownie batter.
  7. Dollop the remainder of the brownie batter to the top of the cheesecake layer.
  8. Run a knife through the batter to create a swirl pattern.
  9. Bake for 30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. (You can bake longer if you don't want the brownies to be too fudgy--just mind the top that it doesn't brown too much).
  10. Allow the brownies to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes and move to the refrigerator. Cool in the refrigerator for at least one hour. (Be sure the bottom of the pan isn't too hot before placing it in the refrigerator or it can break the glass).
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 271Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 183mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 22gProtein: 4g

Nutrition is approximate.

Did you make this recipe?

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Taylor

Tuesday 27th of September 2022

Disregard precious comment.. just found the flour measurement! :)

Julie Pollitt

Wednesday 28th of September 2022

Too funny. Just saw this after I answered. 🤣

Taylor

Tuesday 27th of September 2022

How much flour?

Julie Pollitt

Wednesday 28th of September 2022

Hi Taylor,

It calls for 3/4 cup all-purpose flour. Enjoy!

Miz Helen

Sunday 20th of February 2022

Your awesome post is featured on Full Plate Thursday,576, thanks so much for sharing it with us! Hope you have a great week and come back to see us soon! Miz Helen

Julie Pollitt

Sunday 20th of February 2022

Thanks so much, Miz Helen!

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