Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Icing starts with a premium boxed brownie mix and transforms into Red Velvet Brownies.
Red Velvet cake is a Southern standard. Aside from the stunning color, the cake blends powerful flavors that mingle and mesh like old friends at a high school reunion ,to make a spectacular, unforgettable eating experience.
Chocolate, buttermilk, vinegar and vanilla are responsible for transforming a good cake into something as treasured as a teacher’s pet.
Instead of a traditional cake, I thought Red Velvet Brownies would be nice. I wanted to take advantage of a shortcut and use a premium brownie mix. I don’t use a tremendous amount of convenience foods. Most of my cooking is from scratch. But it’s my opinion that a premium brownie mix is just as good as homemade.
Simply adding red food coloring to a brownie recipe doesn’t give it authentic status. Red Velvet Cake has a particular flavor that can only be achieved by recognizing buttermilk, vinegar and vanilla as honored guests at the party.
I used special vinegar I made several weeks ago from blackberries and lavender. This lovely lady had been waiting patiently for the perfect opportunity to get all dressed up. I keep the bottle sitting in my kitchen window so I can see it everyday. The color is ravishing. I’ll use it to make a vinaigrette for a green salad that has added fruit, too. Don’t feel like you need to go to the trouble of making lavender blackberry vinegar. Use whatever you have on hand. Or sitting in your kitchen window.
Grab a box of brownie mix and get started on a journey to bliss. The trip is nice and easy and rewards are smooth as velvet.
Or, if you’re more inclined to enjoy a chocolatey chocolate brownie, Greek Yogurt Brownies are for you.
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Red Velvet Brownies
Using a boxed brownie mix makes these delights almost effortless.
For brownies:
1 box premium brownie mix (I used Betty Crocker Original Supreme Premium Brownie Mix with Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup)
1 ounce red food coloring
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon vinegar
1 egg
Place brownie mix in bowl. Add chocolate syrup included in mix. In small bowl, mix remaining ingredient and add to bowl with brownie mix. Stir until blended well.
Pour mix into an 8×8 that has been oiled and floured or sprayed with Baker’s Joy.
Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until tooth pick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean. Let cool in pan.
For icing:
1 (8 ounce package) cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Cream butter and cream cheese with electric mixer until smooth. Add vanilla and slowly add powdered sugar. Mix until blended.
Spread on brownies while still in the pan.
Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients
- For brownies:
- 1 box premium brownie mix I used Betty Crocker Original Supreme Premium Brownie Mix with Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
- 1 ounce red food coloring
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
- 1 egg
- For icing:
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- For brownies:
- Place brownie mix in bowl. Add chocolate syrup included in mix. In small bowl, mix remaining ingredient and add to bowl with brownie mix. Stir until blended well.
- Pour mix into an 8x8 that has been oiled and floured or sprayed with Baker's Joy.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until tooth pick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean. Let cool in pan.
- For icing:
- Cream butter and cream cheese with electric mixer until smooth. Add vanilla and slowly add powdered sugar. Mix until blended.
- Spread on brownies while still in the pan.
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Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
These beauties from a box? Where do I sign up!
Perfect for the 4th celebration.
Jackie Garvin says
Thanks, Maureen!
Jean says
I’m getting in the van now!!!!
Jackie Garvin says
Jean,
You’re cracking me up! You’re a mess! 🙂
trish says
I love me some red velvet cake, I am definitely trying this recipe! How simple and I know if Jackie posted it, it has to be delicious!
Jackie Garvin says
Trish,
Tyler sure did love this! Let me know what you think. 🙂
Zestuous says
Jackie, these are gorgeous. I have never heard of red velvet brownies. I’m in love. Happy 4th to you!
Jackie Garvin says
Thanks! Happy 4th!
Mary says
These sound and look sooooooo goooood!!!! Wish I had some of your special vinegar, I’ll have to make do with what I have on hand, because I’ll be making these soon. Thanks for sharing. Have a great and safe 4th of July.
Jackie Garvin says
Mary,
I hope you enjoy! I’d love to be able to share some of my special vinegar with you.
Happy 4th!
Terra says
There is something special about brownie mix, some get so moist. What a fun recipe, people would totally dig this flavorful recipe:-) Hugs, Terra
Jackie Garvin says
Terra,
I think brownie mix is one of the best convenient items out there.
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Dina says
cute and festive!
Jackie Garvin says
Thanks, Dina! So glad you stopped by. 🙂
CJ at Food Stories says
These look so good 🙂
Jackie Garvin says
CJ,
Thanks so much!
Lourd says
Are those the actual photos? Does the food coloring really turned the brown color of the brownie into red?
Jackie Garvin says
Lourd,
These are actual photos. Use the full amount of food coloring that I specified and you’ll have the same results. 🙂
Claudia says
If you use a different brownie mix that calls for 2 eggs, 1/4 cup of water and 3/4 cups of oil, how would you alter the recipe?
Jackie Garvin says
Claudia,
Replace the water with the same amount of buttermilk. I think that’s the only adjustment you’d need to make. Add the amount of vinegar and food coloring specified in the original recipe.
Kathryn says
This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!!
Jackie Garvin says
Kathryn,
Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the brownies!