Description
Red Velvet Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and topped with creamy cream cheese frosting, making them an easy recipe for parties, holiday dessert tables, quick dessert ideas, Valentine’s Day treats, bake sale sweets, and fun food ideas when you want the flavor of red velvet cake in simple bar form.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons red sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Beat 1 cup softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and creamy.
3. Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, red gel food coloring, and white vinegar.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
6. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
7. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, until the edges are set and the center has a few moist crumbs on a toothpick.
8. Cool the bars completely before frosting.
9. Beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup softened butter until smooth, then mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until creamy.
10. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, add sprinkles, chill briefly if desired, then slice and serve.
Notes
Use gel food coloring for the boldest red velvet color without thinning the dough.
Do not overbake the bars; remove them when the center is set but still soft.
Cool completely before frosting so the cream cheese topping stays thick and smooth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: red velvet cookie bars, red velvet bars, cream cheese frosting, easy dessert, holiday dessert, Valentine’s Day dessert, bake sale dessert, dessert bars