Red Velvet Cookie Bars

Craving a decadently delicious treat without spending hours in the kitchen? Look no further than Red Velvet Cookie Bars! These bars are a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth with a healthy-ish twist, packed with flavor and ready in minutes. Picture this: a vibrant red base, a hint of cocoa, a touch of tanginess, and a creamy, dreamy topping – all baked into portable, blissful bars. As a busy parent, I needed a dessert option that didn't require all day and Red Velvet Cookie Bars became a favorite. It's the perfect compromise between indulgence and convenience!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

My grandmother, bless her heart, always tried to make these elaborate layered red velvet cakes for every family gathering, but they always ended up a bit…lopsided. One year, in a fit of inspiration, she decided to ditch the cake layers and bake the whole thing in a sheet pan. The results? Red Velvet Cookie Bars! They were easier, quicker, and surprisingly, even more delicious. This recipe is an homage to her creative spirit and a reminder that sometimes, the best things come from happy accidents.

Ingredients

For the Bars:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 1 ounce red food coloring

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons milk, if needed

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Incorporate: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Mix Liquids: In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and red food coloring.
6. Alternate: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the red food coloring mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
7. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
9. Frosting: While the bars are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
10. Add Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
11. Frost and Serve: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve! Enjoy your Red Velvet Cookie Bars!

Red Velvet Cookie Bars

Quick and easy red velvet cookie bars with a creamy cream cheese frosting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

For the Bars:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 1 ounce red food coloring

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1/2 stick)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons milk if needed

Equipment

• 9×13-inch Baking Pan
• Medium Bowl
• Large Bowl

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
   1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt
3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
   1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
   2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and red food coloring.
   1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar, 1 ounce red food coloring
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the red food coloring mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
   1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 ounce red food coloring
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
9. While the bars are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
   4 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
    2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1-2 tablespoons milk
11. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve! Enjoy your Red Velvet Cookie Bars!