Red velvet bars are a simple dessert that blends the rich flavor of red velvet with the ease of a cookie bar, topped with tangy cream cheese icing.
They are perfect for holidays, special occasions, or as a sweet treat to share with family and friends.
Why You'll Love These Red Velvet Bars
- Soft and chewy texture with classic red velvet flavor.
- Cream cheese frosting that is balanced and delicious.
- Simple to make with basic ingredients and minimal effort.
- Great for holidays, special occasions, and red velvet lovers.
Ingredients in Red Velvet Sugar Cookie Bars
- all purpose flour
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- salt
- baking powder
- salted butter, room temperature
- granulated sugar
- white vinegar
- large eggs, room temperature
- vanilla extract
- red food coloring
Ingredients in Cream Cheese Frosting
- softened cream cheese
- butter, room temperature
- powdered sugar, sifted
- vanilla extract
How to Make Red Velvet Cookie Bars
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Set this mixture aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, then stir until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms.
5. Spread the cookie dough in an even layer in the bottom of prepared baking dish. Use your hands or the back of a measuring cup to press it down firmly. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
6. To prepare the cream cheese frosting, cream the cream cheese and butter in a bowl until smooth. Then, add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar, beating until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
7. Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting generously on top. Enjoy!
Serve in airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Quick Tips
- Frosting: Let the bars cool completely before adding frosting to avoid melting. Use an offset spatula or piping bag for smooth and even coverage. For extra flair, sprinkle crushed cookies, chocolate chips, or festive decorations on top.
- Slicing: Chill the frosted bars in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before cutting to keep the edges neat. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between slices for a polished look.
Holiday Dessert Ideas
Christmas: These red velvet bars are a festive addition to any holiday spread. Top them with white chocolate chips or Christmas sprinkles for a cheerful touch.
Valentine's Day: The bright red color of these bars makes them great for celebrating love. Sprinkle with heart or red, white, and pink sprinkles.
Mother's Day: Surprise Mom with a batch of these bars. Pair them with her favorite tea or coffee for a thoughtful and delicious treat.
Other Desserts You May Like
If you're a fan of red velvet recipes, you'll love these:
- Red Velvet Cupcakes: Classic, fluffy, and topped with a creamy swirl of cream cheese frosting.
- Pink Velvet Cupcakes: Same red velvet flavors but pretty in pink.
- Red Velvet Shortbread Cookies: Buttery, crumbly, and soft cookies.
📖 Recipe
Red Velvet Bars
Ingredients
Red Velvet Bars
- 1 cup salted butter - room temperature
- 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs - room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- red food coloring
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese - room temperature
- ½ cup butter - room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar - sifted
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
- 2. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Set this mixture aside.
- 3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, then stir until well combined.
- 4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- 5. Spread the cookie dough in an even layer at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use your hands or the back of a measuring cup to press it down firmly.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes clean. Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
- 6. To prepare the cream cheese frosting, cream the cream cheese and butter in a bowl until smooth.
- Then, add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar, beating until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- 7. Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting generously on top. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
© Popular Recipes
Dana is the lead recipe developer and photographer for PopularRecipes.com. With her 10+ years of experience creating, testing, and photographing recipes, she has become an artist in developing wholesome, family-friendly meals that are a hit with both kids and parents.
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