The moment you step into the kitchen and breathe in that rich, cocoa-infused aroma, you know you’re about to create something special. The vibrant red hue of Red Velvet Cookie Bars transforming from raw batter to a beautiful, baked masterpiece is nothing short of magic. Soft, chewy, and topped with the dreamy swirl of cream cheese frosting, these bars are a delightful sight—so inviting with their luxurious color and smooth creamy finish that it’s hard to resist taking a bite even before they’re sliced.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Red Velvet Cookie Bars

I remember the first time I tried red velvet treats at a friend’s birthday party. I was enchanted by the blend of cocoa undertones intertwined with the creamy sweet frosting. Now, every time I whip up a batch of Red Velvet Cookie Bars, it feels like a joyful celebration worthy of sharing, whether it’s during the holiday season or just because. Let me tell you, there’s no wrong time for these luscious bars. Let’s make some together!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With only 45 minutes of prep time, you’ll have these beauties in your belly in no time!
Irresistible Flavor: The soft, chewy texture combined with the rich taste of red velvet and sweet cream cheese creates a flavor explosion.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Their stunning color makes them perfect for parties and celebrations, sure to impress your guests.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for any occasion—snacks, dessert, or even breakfast (who’s judging?).
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable for gluten-free flour blends or dairy-free alternatives.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): This is the base of your cookie bars, providing structure. For gluten-free, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Cocoa powder (3 tablespoons): Unsweetened cocoa powder gives that chocolatey depth without overpowering the red velvet flavor.
Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon) and baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): These leavening agents help the bars rise and become fluffy.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): A small amount enhances flavors, balancing the sweetness.
Unsalted butter (1 cup + 1/2 cup): Softened butter ensures a creamy texture; use room-temperature butter for the best results.
Granulated sugar (3/4 cup) and brown sugar (1/2 cup): The combination gives a fantastic sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor from the brown sugar.
Egg (1) & Egg yolk (1): This duo adds richness, moisture, and helps bind the bars together while creating a chewy texture.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Pure vanilla extract intensifies the flavors, making your bars more aromatic and flavorful.
Red food coloring (1 tablespoon): Essential for that iconic red velvet appearance. Feel free to adjust the amount based on your color preference.
Vinegar (1/2 teaspoon): Typically white or distilled vinegar, it reacts with baking soda to give a lighter texture and enhances the red hue.
Cream cheese (8 ounces): Use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese for a rich and creamy frosting.
Powdered sugar (2 1/2 – 3 1/2 cups): Provides sweetness and a smooth icing consistency; sift if lumpy.
Cream (1-2 tablespoons): Adds the perfect creamy texture to your frosting; adjust based on your desired thickness.

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. This step is key to ensuring your bars come out cleanly and look beautiful when served.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents in your flour, ensuring an even rise as they bake.

Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Then, mix in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar. The goal is a smooth batter without lumps of butter visible, which will ensure a tender cookie bar.

Fold Together Gently: Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Start mixing on a low speed to prevent flour from flying everywhere until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture soft and chewy.

Spread into Pan: Spoon the dough into the prepared pan, using your hands or a spatula to spread it into an even layer. If you find it sticking to your hands, lightly press using wax paper—no sticky fingers here!

Bake Until Golden: Place the pan in the middle of the preheated oven and bake the bars for 25-30 minutes. They’re done when the edges are pulling away from the sides and the top is set. A toothpick should come out clean with a few moist crumbs attached, indicating they’re perfectly baked.

Cool Down: Allow the cookie bars to cool thoroughly in the pan. If you used parchment paper, simply lift them out by the edges and place them on a cutting board to cool faster. Patience is key here; no one wants melted frosting!

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and remaining butter until smooth. Sift in 2 cups of powdered sugar, then add vanilla extract and salt. Mix on low speed, gradually increasing until the frosting is fluffy. Adjust sweetness and thickness by adding more sugar or cream, if needed.

Frost and Slice: Once the bars are completely cool, frost them generously with a flat-edged knife. If you’re feeling festive, sprinkle colorful decorations on top. Slice carefully with a sharp knife to ensure clean edges, and get ready for the compliments!

Storing & Reheating

To keep your delicious Red Velvet Cookie Bars fresh, store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Just remember that defrosting may slightly change the texture. To refresh them, lightly warm in the oven at 300°F for 5-10 minutes, and they’ll taste freshly baked!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid overmixing the batter to ensure a soft cookie texture.
Always use room temperature eggs and butter for the best incorporation.
If your frosting is too thick, a tablespoon of cream at a time can help reach your desired consistency.
If the bars start to puff up while baking, resist the urge to open the oven door until the time is up to maintain even baking.
Consider adding a touch of finely chopped nuts or white chocolate chips to the batter for extra flavor and texture.
These bars can be made ahead of time, then frosted just before serving for a fresher taste.

With each bite of these lovely Red Velvet Cookie Bars, you’ll revel in the perfect blend of rich cocoa flavor and sweet cream cheese frosting. The soft, chewy texture is sure to warm your heart and bring a smile to your face. Whether you’re sharing them at gatherings or enjoying them as a special treat for yourself, don’t hesitate to experiment with flavors and toppings, making it your own masterpiece. So go ahead; gather your ingredients, and let the baking fun begin!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of frosting?

Absolutely! While cream cheese frosting is classic for red velvet, you can experiment with vanilla buttercream, chocolate ganache, or even whipped cream for a lighter touch. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change slightly with different frostings.

How do I make these cookie bars gluten-free?

To make these Red Velvet Cookie Bars gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Just ensure that the blend has xanthum gum included, which helps in providing the necessary structure and chewiness.

Can I reduce the sugar in the frosting?

Yes, you can certainly reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting to suit your sweetness preference. Just remember that with less sugar, the consistency of the frosting might also change; you may need to adjust with a bit more cream or butter.

What if my cookie bars turn out dry?

Dry bars are often a result of overbaking or using too much flour. Make sure to properly measure the flour, ideally using the spoon-and-level method. If they do turn out dry, serve with a scoop of ice cream or drizzle with a cream or milk glaze to add moisture!