Description

These Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cookie Bars deliver an irresistible flavor with their soft, chewy texture and rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for special occasions or simply treating yourself, this easy homemade recipe is sure to impress anyone with its delightful taste and appearance.

Ingredients

Scale

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, light or dark
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk, in addition to the full egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring, liquid or gel
1/2 teaspoon vinegar, distilled or white vinegar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened but not starting to melt
8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, be sure to use brick style
2 1/2 – 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sift if lumpy
1/4 teaspoon salt
1–2 tablespoons cream, whipping cream or table cream, if needed

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) pan, or line it with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, whisking until well mixed.
In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
Add in the large egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar. Mix until no lumps of butter remain.
Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until smooth.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. If necessary, press it down using wax paper to prevent sticking.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is set and edges start to pull away from the pan.
Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.

Notes

Use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients accurately for the best results.
Feel free to adjust the amount of red food coloring to achieve your desired shade of red.
For an extra touch, sprinkle some chocolate shavings on top of the cream cheese frosting.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 230
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg