Red Velvet Brownies Cheesecake Layer (Printable Version)
Fudgy red velvet brownies topped with a tangy cheesecake layer, chilled and sliced for rich, shareable bites.
# What You Need:
→ Red Velvet Brownie Layer
01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
05 - 1 tablespoon red food coloring
06 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Cheesecake Layer
09 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Incorporate eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, mixing until fully combined.
03 - Sift all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt together, then gently fold into the wet mixture with a spatula until just combined.
04 - Spread three-quarters of the red velvet batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, reserving the remaining batter for topping.
05 - In a clean bowl, beat softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until creamy and smooth. Blend in the egg and vanilla extract until uniform.
06 - Pour cheesecake batter over the red velvet base, spreading into an even layer.
07 - Dollop the reserved red velvet batter over the cheesecake layer. Swirl gently using a knife or skewer to create a marbled effect.
08 - Bake for 33 to 37 minutes, or until the center sets and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
09 - Allow the dessert to cool completely in the pan. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving for optimal texture.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This is the kind of dessert that always gets a chorus of wows when you set it down at the table.
- The fudgy brownie and tangy cheesecake combination somehow tastes like a bakery secret, but it's totally doable at home.
02 -
- I learned to always chill the brownies before slicing—warm bars are a creamy mess and impossible to serve cleanly.
- Using parchment paper as sling makes lifting them from the pan totally stress free and keeps the cheesecake layer beautiful.
03 -
- Gel food coloring gives the richest color with very little mixing required—no red hands.
- Adding chocolate chips between layers ups the indulgent factor for true chocoholics.