Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies (Printable)

Fudgy brownies with red velvet base and creamy cheesecake swirls—decadent and perfect for special occasions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Red Velvet Brownie Layer

01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 tablespoon red food coloring, liquid or gel
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

→ Cheesecake Layer

09 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess paper to hang over edges for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring; mix until fully combined.
03 - Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt into the wet mixture. Fold gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
04 - Reserve 1/4 cup of red velvet batter for swirling. Spread remaining batter evenly across the prepared pan.
05 - In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, egg, and vanilla extract; beat until creamy and free of lumps.
06 - Pour cheesecake mixture over the red velvet layer in the pan and spread evenly.
07 - Dollop reserved red velvet batter in small portions across the cheesecake surface. Draw a knife or skewer through the batter to create decorative swirl patterns.
08 - Bake for 35 minutes until the center is just set. A toothpick inserted should emerge with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.
09 - Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Transfer to refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between rich, chocolatey red velvet and creamy cheesecake creates a flavor experience that feels bakery-level fancy but comes together in under an hour.
  • Each square delivers that perfect fudgy texture with a swirl of tangy sweetness that keeps people coming back for seconds.
  • They look stunning on a platter, making them ideal for potlucks, birthdays, or any time you want to show off a little.
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable for the cheesecake layer, cold cream cheese will leave you with lumps no amount of mixing can fix.
  • Don't skip the chilling time, cutting warm brownies results in messy, uneven squares that fall apart instead of lifting out cleanly.
  • Use parchment paper with overhang so you can lift the entire slab out before slicing, it makes portioning so much easier and prevents crumbling edges.
03 -
  • Run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry between cuts to get clean, bakery-perfect edges on every square.
  • If your cheesecake layer cracks slightly during baking, don't worry, the swirls and a light dusting of powdered sugar will hide any imperfections beautifully.
  • Taste your red food coloring before adding it, some brands have a bitter aftertaste, so start with less and add more gradually until you reach your desired color.
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