Red Velvet Brownies Cheesecake Swirl (Print Version)
Fudgy red velvet brownies feature a creamy cheesecake swirl, creating a delicious and visually stunning treat.
# What You Need:
→ For the Red Velvet Brownies
01 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 tablespoon red food coloring
06 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
07 - 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
→ For the Cheesecake Swirl
11 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
13 - 1 large egg yolk
14 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined. Add eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Whisk until smooth.
03 - Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Fold gently until just combined; do not overmix.
04 - Reserve 1/4 cup of the batter for swirling. Spread the remaining batter evenly in the prepared pan.
05 - In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
06 - Dollop spoonfuls of the cheesecake mixture over the brownie batter. Add reserved brownie batter in small dollops. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cheesecake and brownie batters together for a marbled effect.
07 - Bake for 32-36 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
08 - Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Lift out using the parchment overhang, slice into squares, and serve.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- The cheesecake swirl keeps these incredibly moist while adding this tangy creaminess that cuts through all that chocolate richness
- They look like you took a whole afternoon to make them but come together in under an hour
02 -
- Don't skip the cooling step because these need to fully set before slicing or you'll end up with a mess instead of clean squares
- Over swirling will muddy that beautiful marble pattern so just 3 or 4 gentle passes with your knife is perfect
03 -
- If your red color looks more rust than ruby, add another drop of coloring but remember that gel colors are much more concentrated than liquid ones
- Under bake these slightly rather than over bake because they continue cooking in the pan and nobody wants a dry brownie