Servings
Font
Back
Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies
4.7 from 111 votes

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies combine a rich red cocoa brownie base with a tangy cream cheese swirl for a dessert with soft, moist crumb and visual contrast. The brownies use butter and bittersweet chocolate melted together, with a generous amount of red food coloring to achieve their distinctive shade, while the cream cheese swirl adds a smooth, mildly sweet topping.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs
Servings: 18
Calories: 307 kcal
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Brownies
  • ¾ cup butter diced into large cubes, unsalted
  • 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate coarsely chopped; or a similar percentage dark chocolate (I used Trader Joe's 72% Pound Plus Bar, 72%
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 egg large
  • 1 ounce red food coloring or as needed for desired shade (see Note 1 below)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder sifted if it's lumpy, unsweetened
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Cream Cheese Swirl
  • 2 egg large, whites
  • 8 ounce cream cheese very well softened, package
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Brownies
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350F, line a 9x13-inch pan with heavy duty aluminum foil if desired for easier cleanup, and spray with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. To a very large microwave-safe bowl, add the cubed butter, chopped chocolate, and heat on high power for 90 seconds, or until the butter has melted and the chocolate can be stirred smooth. Heat for additional time in 15 seconds bursts if needed.
  3. Add the sugar and whisk to combine; mixture will seem thick and granular.
  4. Add the eggs and whisk to combine.
  5. Add the red food coloring, vanilla, and whisk (gently at first) to incorporate. Add additional food coloring as desired until the batter is as red as desired.
  6. Add the cocoa powder and stir to incorporate.
  7. Add the flour, salt, and stir to incorporate.
  8. Turn batter out into prepared pan; set aside.
Cream Cheese Swirl
  1. Add the egg whites, cream cheese, sugar, and beat on high with a handheld electric mixer for about 5 minutes, or until cream cheese is totally smooth and mixture has fluffed up significantly in volume.
  2. Add the flour, vanilla, and beat to incorporate.
  3. Drop the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter in heaping tablespoonfuls. It seems like there is a lot of the cream cheese mixture, and there is, but after swirling it into the brownies, and baking, it's just the right amount.
  4. Swirl gently using a knife to create a marbled effect. * (see note)
  5. Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes (I baked 42 minutes), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Start checking at 30 minutes and I advise rotating your pan once midway through baking to ensure even cooking and browning. Because all climates, ovens, and ingredients vary, and because this is a big heavy pan of brownies, if yours take longer than 45 minutes, don't worry about it; bake until they are done in your oven without regard to what the clock says.

Notes

  • Use about 1 ounce of red food coloring to achieve a vibrant red; adjust amount to preferred shade.
  • For a clear marbled effect, only lightly swirl the cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter to avoid blending colors completely.
  • Store brownies airtight at room temperature up to 5 days or refrigerate to prolong freshness but note they may dry out.
  • Brownies freeze well for up to 4 months when properly wrapped.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 307kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 39g (13%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 4g (20%) Trans Fat 0.3g (15%) Cholesterol 70mg (23%) Sodium 126mg (5%) Potassium 111mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 28g (56%) Vitamin A 462IU (9%) Calcium 28mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 18 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 307

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 307kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 39g 13%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 0.3g 15%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Sodium 126mg 5%
Potassium 111mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 28g 56%
Vitamin A 462IU 9%
Calcium 28mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.