Description
Red velvet cheesecake brownie bars blend luxurious dessert layers with rich chocolate and cream cheese. Chocolate lovers will savor this indulgent Southern-inspired treat that promises delightful complexity in each elegant square.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ⅓ cups (265 g) granulated sugar
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning rack in the center.
- Brownie Base: Whisk melted butter with granulated sugar until smooth. Blend in eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Fold sifted cocoa powder, flour, and salt into the mixture, maintaining a delicate texture. Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan, reserving a small portion for swirling.
- Cheesecake Layer: Beat cream cheese and sugar until velvety. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Gently pour cheesecake mixture over the red velvet base, ensuring complete coverage.
- Marbling: Dot reserved red velvet batter across the cheesecake surface. Use a toothpick or thin knife to create intricate swirls, generating an artistic pattern.
- Baking: Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring for a set center and clean toothpick test.
- Cooling and Setting: Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to achieve optimal consistency and flavor melding.
- Serving: Extract the dessert from the pan using parchment paper edges. Slice into precise squares, revealing the stunning red velvet and cheesecake layers.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to maintain a light, tender brownie texture without developing tough gluten strands.
- Color Calibration: Use gel food coloring for vibrant red hue without thinning the batter, ensuring rich color and consistent consistency.
- Temperature Control: Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature before mixing to create smoother, lump-free cheesecake layer and ensure even blending.
- Swirling Technique: Use a toothpick or thin knife with gentle, fluid motions when creating marbled effect to avoid over-mixing and maintain distinct color separation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg