Oh, let me tell you about the sheer joy of baking red velvet cookie bars! These beauties are not just your average dessert; they’re a celebration wrapped in a deliciously soft, chewy treat. The vibrant red color instantly brightens up any gathering, making them perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just because you want to add a bit of flair to your week. Trust me, there’s something magical about biting into a warm bar, the rich cocoa flavor mingling with that luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s like a cozy hug for your taste buds! So, gather your ingredients, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of red velvet cookie bars together!
Ingredients for Red Velvet Cookie Bars
To whip up these delightful red velvet cookie bars, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients that work together to create magic. Here’s what you’ll gather:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base of your cookie bars. Make sure to spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off for precision.
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder: This adds that rich chocolate flavor. Choose a high-quality cocoa for the best results.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This will help your bars rise and get that lovely soft texture.
- 1 teaspoon salt: A little salt heightens the flavors, so don’t skip it!
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Let your butter sit out for about 30 minutes before mixing for a creamy consistency.
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: This sweetens your bars beautifully.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
- 2 large eggs: They bind everything together and add richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For that classic flavor boost!
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring: This gives the bars their signature color; you can adjust for how vibrant you want them to be.
- 1 cup white chocolate chips: These melt into little pockets of sweetness in every bite!
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened: Essential for your frosting, make sure it’s really soft for easy mixing.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: This sweetens the frosting and gives it that perfect creamy texture.
How to Prepare Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Now, let’s get to the fun part—making these scrumptious red velvet cookie bars! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a batch of deliciousness ready to devour in no time.
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for even baking, so don’t skip this step!
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure everything is combined evenly.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Next, add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until everything is well incorporated and that stunning red hue shines through!
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredient mixture. I like to do it in thirds to avoid a flour explosion. Just mix until combined—don’t overdo it!
- Gently fold in the white chocolate chips. You want those sweet little surprises in every bite!
- Spread the mixture evenly in a greased baking pan, making sure to smooth the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on them—when a toothpick inserted comes out clean, they’re ready!
- Once baked, let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This cooling is essential to let the bars set up nicely.
- Finally, prepare your cream cheese frosting by beating the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Once the cookie bars are completely cool, spread the frosting generously on top. Cut into squares and serve!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love about these red velvet cookie bars? They’re not just a feast for the eyes; they’re a true delight for the taste buds! Here are a few reasons why this recipe should be in your baking arsenal:
- Quick and Easy: With just a handful of simple steps, you’ll have these bars whipped up in no time!
- Decadent Flavor: The combination of rich cocoa and creamy frosting makes each bite irresistible.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or just a cozy night in, these bars are a hit!
- Fun for All: Kids and adults alike will love these vibrant, delicious treats!
Nutritional Information for Red Velvet Cookie Bars
When you indulge in these delightful red velvet cookie bars, you might be curious about what you’re enjoying. Here’s an estimated breakdown of the nutritional content per bar:
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 20g
- Protein: 3g
Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use. Enjoy responsibly!
Tips for Success with Red Velvet Cookie Bars
To ensure your red velvet cookie bars turn out perfectly, here are some of my favorite tips! First, make sure your butter is truly softened—this will make a world of difference in achieving that fluffy texture. If you’re out of white chocolate chips, feel free to swap in semisweet chocolate chips or even dark chocolate for a richer flavor. Also, don’t skip the cooling step after baking; letting them cool completely helps them set up nicely and makes frosting a breeze! And remember, a little extra red food coloring can really amp up that gorgeous color, just adjust to your taste!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your leftover red velvet cookie bars is a breeze! Just place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, you can refrigerate them for about a week. For the best experience, let them come to room temperature before enjoying again, or pop them in the microwave for just a few seconds to warm them up—trust me, there’s nothing like a warm, gooey cookie bar! If you want to freeze them, wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving, and they’ll taste just as delicious as the day you made them!
FAQ about Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Got questions about these delicious red velvet cookie bars? I’ve got you covered! Here are some common queries:
Can I use a different type of chocolate? Absolutely! You can swap white chocolate chips for semisweet or dark chocolate for a unique twist.
What if my bars are too dry? This could happen if they’re overbaked. Keep an eye on them, and use a toothpick to check for doneness—just a few moist crumbs should stick.
Can I make these ahead of time? Yes! These bars store well, so feel free to bake them a day in advance. Just frost them right before serving for the best flavor.
For more baking tips, check out this baking guide from King Arthur Baking.
Print
Red velvet cookie bars: 7 reasons to bake today
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious red velvet cookie bars with cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add eggs, vanilla, and red food coloring to the butter mixture.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
- Fold in white chocolate chips.
- Spread the mixture evenly in a greased baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool before frosting.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Spread frosting over cooled cookie bars.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Use more or less food coloring for desired color.
- Can substitute chocolate chips for white chocolate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: red velvet cookie bars, dessert, cookies, baking
