Description
Delicious and festive Red Velvet Cookie Bars featuring a tender cocoa-flavored cookie base topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. These bars combine classic red velvet flavor with an easy-to-make cookie bar format, perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime you crave a sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons red gel food coloring
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 0.5 cup brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Food Coloring: Beat in 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons red gel food coloring until the mixture is well combined and the red color is evenly distributed.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 2.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 0.5 teaspoon salt to ensure even dispersion of leavening agents and cocoa.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a thick dough forms with all ingredients fully incorporated.
- Spread Dough and Bake: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan and bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the bars are set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool Bars: Allow the baked bars to cool completely in the pan to ensure the frosting will not melt when applied.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese and 0.5 cup softened unsalted butter until smooth and creamy, creating a rich base for the frosting.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Milk: Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk, beating the mixture until it becomes fluffy and spreadable.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Optionally, sprinkle with red velvet crumbs for decoration. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for a vibrant red color without adding extra liquid to the dough.
- Make sure the bars are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- You can store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For a more intense red color, increase red gel food coloring by an additional 1 tablespoon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Red Velvet Cookie Bars, Red Velvet Bars, Cream Cheese Frosting, Dessert Bars, Holiday Dessert
