If you have a sweet tooth that loves both the fudgy embrace of brownies and the chewy charm of cookies, then you are in for an absolute treat with this Red Velvet Brookies Recipe. It beautifully combines the rich, crimson allure of red velvet brownies with the classic comfort of chocolate chip cookie dough, creating a dessert that is as stunning to look at as it is to devour. Each bite delivers that perfect mess of textures and flavors, making it impossible not to fall in love with these brookies. Trust me, once you try this Red Velvet Brookies Recipe, it will quickly become a favorite for every occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this fun fusion dessert. Each element plays a crucial role, whether it’s adding moisture, sweetness, or depth of flavor, ensuring your Red Velvet Brookies Recipe comes out perfectly every time.
- Butter (1â…“ cups, room temp): Adds richness and helps create a tender texture.
- Brown sugar (3 cups): Provides moisture and a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
- White sugar (2 cups + 2 cups for brownie layer): Balances sweetness and aids in browning.
- Vanilla extract (4 tsp + 1 tsp): Enhances the overall flavor with warmth and aroma.
- Kosher salt (1 tsp + ¼ tsp): Brings out the sweetness and balances flavors.
- Eggs (6 for cookie dough + 4 for brownie layer): Bind ingredients and add structure.
- Flour (6 cups + 1½ cups for brownie layer): Forms the base and gives chewiness.
- Baking powder (2 tsp): Provides lift and lightness to the cookie layer.
- Chocolate chips (2 cups): Add melty bursts of chocolate in the cookie dough.
- Dark chocolate chunks (1 cup): Introduce rich, gooey pockets of chocolate.
- Melted butter (1 cup for brownie layer): Moisturizes and gives that velvety brownie texture.
- Cocoa powder (½ cup): Deepens the chocolate flavor and enhances the red velvet’s character.
- Red food coloring (2 tbsp): Creates the iconic red velvet hue.
- Vinegar (1 tsp): Reacts with baking soda for acidity and helps tenderize the brownies.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, optional): For a luscious, tangy cream cheese swirl that takes it over the top.
- Sugar (¼ cup for cream cheese swirl): Sweetens the cream cheese layer without overpowering.
- Egg yolk (1 for cream cheese swirl): Adds richness and helps with smooth texture.
How to Make Red Velvet Brookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Oven
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F. Line two baking pans or one larger pan with parchment paper or greasing it well. This will ensure your brookies don’t stick and come out with clean edges, setting the stage for those perfect layers.
Step 2: Whip Up the Red Velvet Brownie Batter
In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, white sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, red food coloring, vinegar, eggs, salt, and flour. This batter is rich and vibrantly red, promising that distinctive red velvet flavor and fudgy texture that makes this recipe so unique.
Step 3: Create the Cookie Dough Layer
Now, in a separate bowl, cream the room temperature butter with both brown and white sugars until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and salt. Then fold in flour, baking powder, chocolate chips, and chunks—this cookie dough is packed with chocolatey goodness that contrasts beautifully with the brownie layer.
Step 4: Make the Optional Cream Cheese Swirl
This step is optional but highly recommended for that extra dimension of flavor. Beat the cream cheese with sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth. This velvety swirl adds a luscious tang that brightens the richness of the brookies.
Step 5: Layer and Swirl
Spread the red velvet brownie batter evenly in your prepared pan(s). Gently spoon the cookie dough over the top to create the cookie layer. If you’re using the cream cheese swirl, dollop spoonfuls of it on top and use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it through, creating a beautiful marbled effect.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the brookies are set but still soft in the center. Cool completely before slicing. For a final touch, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top to enhance the sweetness and flavors in every bite.
How to Serve Red Velvet Brookies Recipe
Garnishes
Serving Red Velvet Brookies Recipe is just as fun as making them. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh raspberries on top can add extra color and freshness. You could also drizzle some melted white chocolate for a stunning visual and decadent touch.
Side Dishes
These brookies are a dessert superstar on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. A hot cup of coffee or milk enhances the overall experience, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the traditional square slice. You can cut brookies into bite-sized bars for parties or use cookie cutters to make festive shapes. Layer them on a dessert platter or stack them with parchment between layers for a gorgeous gift presentation that will wow friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once baked and cooled, store your Red Velvet Brookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the edges soft and the inside delectably chewy. If your kitchen is warm, storing them in the refrigerator is a smart choice to prevent melting chocolate.
Freezing
Red Velvet Brookies Recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months, making it easy to enjoy this treat anytime you want a sweet pick-me-up.
Reheating
To enjoy brookies fresh from the oven again, thaw frozen slices at room temperature and warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a low oven for about 5 minutes. This revives that just-baked softness and rich, melty chocolate goodness.
FAQs
Can I make Red Velvet Brookies Recipe without the cream cheese swirl?
Absolutely! The cream cheese swirl is an optional addition that adds a tangy contrast but omitting it will not affect the core flavors of the brownies and cookies, which remain delightful on their own.
What if I don’t have red food coloring? Can I omit it?
You can skip the red food coloring if you want, though the signature color won’t be there. The flavor will still be rich and chocolatey, but it won’t have that classic red velvet appearance.
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of dark chocolate chunks?
Yes, feel free to customize with your favorite chocolate type. Milk chocolate chips or even white chocolate chunks can be delicious alternatives.
How can I tell when the brookies are done baking?
Look for a set top that is no longer jiggly and slightly pulling away from the edges. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?
Definitely! Just make sure to use a larger pan and increase the baking time slightly. Keep an eye on the oven as layers get thicker to avoid under- or over-baking.
Final Thoughts
If you love experimenting in the kitchen and adore sweets that bring together the best of both worlds, the Red Velvet Brookies Recipe is a must try. It’s simple to prepare yet impressively delicious, perfect for celebrations or just a sweet treat any day of the week. Once you sink your teeth into these, they will undoubtedly become a new favorite to share over coffee, parties, or cozy nights in. So grab your baking gear and enjoy every joyful moment creating and savoring this magnificent dessert!
Print
Red Velvet Brookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 24 brookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Red Velvet Brookies combine the rich, fudgy texture of red velvet brownies with the chewy, chocolate-studded goodness of classic cookie dough. This decadent dessert features a luscious red velvet brownie base topped with a thick layer of chocolate chip cookie dough and an optional cream cheese swirl for extra creaminess. Perfect for parties or an indulgent treat, these brookies are baked to perfection and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt for a delightful sweet-salty balance.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1â…“ cups butter, room temperature
- 3 cups brown sugar
- 2 cups white sugar
- 4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 6 eggs
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup dark chocolate chunks
Red Velvet Brownie Layer
- 1 cup melted butter
- 2 cups white sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 4 eggs
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
Optional Cream Cheese Swirl
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking pans or one large pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Red Velvet Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, red food coloring, vinegar, eggs, salt, and flour. Mix until smooth and well incorporated to create the red velvet brownie layer batter.
- Prepare Cookie Dough: In another large bowl, cream together the room temperature butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract and salt, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Gradually stir in the flour and baking powder, then fold in the chocolate chips and dark chocolate chunks.
- Make Cream Cheese Swirl (Optional): Beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy for the optional swirl topping.
- Layer the Batter: Spread the red velvet brownie batter evenly on the prepared pan(s). Carefully layer the chocolate chip cookie dough over the brownie batter. If using, dollop the cream cheese mixture on top and lightly swirl it into the cookie dough layer using a knife or spatula for a beautiful marbled effect.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the brookies are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brookies to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, sprinkle with sea salt to enhance the flavor. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature ingredients where indicated to ensure proper mixing and texture.
- The cream cheese swirl is optional but adds a lovely tangy contrast to the sweet layers.
- Be careful not to overbake to maintain a soft, fudgy brownie texture and chewy cookie dough top.
- Store brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Feel free to substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips if preferred.
