Description
These Red Velvet Cookie Bars are the kind of easy dessert that looks festive, tastes bakery-level delicious, and fits everything from holiday trays to casual weekend baking. Soft, chewy, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, they bring together the classic red velvet flavor everyone loves in a simple bar form. This easy recipe is perfect for dessert bars, party treats, bake sale ideas, Valentine’s Day sweets, holiday desserts, and fun food ideas when you want something rich, colorful, and crowd-pleasing without making individual cookies.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons red or pink sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. Mix in the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until fully combined.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until no dry streaks remain.
7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
9. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
10. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
11. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat until fluffy.
12. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
13. Top with sprinkles, slice into bars, and serve.
Notes
Do not overbake the bars or they can lose their soft, chewy texture. Pull them from the oven when the center is just set.
Make sure the bars are completely cool before frosting so the cream cheese topping stays thick and smooth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 58mg
Keywords: red velvet cookie bars, cookie bars, easy dessert, cream cheese frosting, holiday dessert, valentine dessert, dessert bars, easy baking recipe, sweet treats, party dessert