Thursday, August 29, 2013

red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting



I've learned alot about Red Velvet Cake over the years.

Probably because I find it quite interesting. Is it chocolate cake? Vanilla Cake with red food coloring?

Well . . . it's neither.

Although red velvet cake has a mild chocolate flavor, it is not, by definition, a chocolate cake. 

Rather, it's a devil's food cake that's made with cocoa, white vinegar, baking soda, and buttermilk. The deep red color comes from red food dye, and the cake is traditionally iced in rich cream cheese frosting. 





Legend has it that the cake was actually born in the North, at New York City's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. But there's no question that regardless of its origins, it has become a Southern specialty.

Did you know that there are actually "essentials" to making an authentic Red Velvet Cake!?

A few are that the cake must have some cocoa and red food coloring; and that the cake must also have cream cheese frosting.

I know . . . this post isn't supposed to be about Red Velvet Cake, but when researching and sampling Red Velvet Brownie recipes . . . I wanted to stay as close to the "essentials" of an authentic Southern Red Velvet Cake as I could . . . while trying to stay true to "brownies" as well.





So after researching and sampling several recipes, I made a few adjustments to the best ones . . . and created a recipe that is the perfect combination of red velvet cake and brownie . . . .

moist, dense dark red velvet brownie cake
with strong notes of cocoa . . . 
and the creamy finish of sweetened cream cheese

So delicious!

And the cream cheese frosting . . . Well, it's Paula Deen's recipe; and it's THE best cream cheese frosting recipe. Hands down.

Pair the two (red velvet brownie topped with Paula Deen's frosting) and you have a rich and delectable dessert.





Here’s what you’ll need . . .
1 cup flour
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ cups sugar
1 stick of butter
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3 eggs
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons red food coloring
2/3 cup water
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder

** You can substitute brown sugar for white sugar, if you prefer a strong molasses flavor over cocoa. 

Preparation
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Whisk flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder in a bowl.

Bring 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar, 1 stick butter and 2/3 cup water to a simmer in a saucepan. Off the heat, whisk in 2 ounces chopped unsweetened chocolate; cool.  

Whisk in 3 eggs, one at a time, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and 2 teaspoons red food coloring.

Stir in the flour mixture. Spread in the pan. Bake 18 to 22 minutes (do not over bake), then cool.
Top with cream cheese frosting.


Cream Cheese frosting
courtesy of  Paula Deen

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Add all ingredients into a medium bowl and beat until fluffy using a hand mixer.
Spread frosting on top of each piece of brownie.  

Enjoy!







LET'S STAY in touch!




55 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, these brownies look FABULOUS! With or without the frosting! I love red velvet cake, and these sound delicious!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Maria!

      Thanks for stopping by!
      What I love about these 'brownies' are that you can really taste the cocoa/chocolate, which is sometimes lacking in other red velvet recipes.
      And the frosting . . . well, it's so so good!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  2. Oh my gosh these look amazing! Your pictures make me want one of these right now! Yum:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shannon!

      Thanks for stopping by!
      I hope you give them a try :0) They're a really fun treat!
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  3. When I first read your title "Red Velvet Brownies" I literally went Ooooo and got wide eyed lol, I love red velvet, so this I absolutely must try!! I'm pinning your recipe and I'm now your newest liker on facebook. :)
    Have a Great week,
    Molly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Molly!

      Thanks for coming by!
      Your comment made me smile, because I Ooooo and Aahhhh over authentic red velvet desserts too!
      Please stop by again soon!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  4. Pinned! I have a Red Velvet recipe that is my favorite, and I've never shared it (it's too precious!) I don't have brownie recipe though and I'd love to try them out. This looks so yummy!

    ~Emily
    A Tossed Salad Life

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Emily!

      Thanks for coming by!
      I have treasured recipes too, that I will only share with my immediate family . . . so I know what you mean. I would love to read your red velvet recipe :0)
      Did you know that there are essentials to making an authentic Southern Red Velvet Cake? So neat!
      Come back again soon :0)
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  5. Oh my, I definitely have to make these, sounds sooooooooo good. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Marty!

      So happy to see that you came by!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  6. Will be giving these a try. Thanks for the recipe!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Susan!

      Thanks so much for coming by!
      Come back again soon :0)
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  7. Anonymous9:20 AM

    These brownies are so beautiful Suzanne. I love the idea of that creamy white frosting with the deep red brownies... BROWNIES, not cake. So much better!! Gorgeous photos as always. Definitely making these asap! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura!

      I'm so happy to see that you came by!
      These 'brownies' are quite unique in their texture. A cross between a cake and a brownie. I've baked them a few times, and learned that when you under-bake them slightly, their texture is very much like a brownie. Yum!
      As always, I love hearing from you.
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  8. OH yes! I'll take mine with extra frosting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Diana!

      So happy you stopped by!
      I promise you'll LOVE this frosting!!
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  9. Anything red velvet with cream cheese frosting is a winner in my book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Robin!

      Thanks for coming by!
      I couldn't agree more :0)
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  10. Oh me oh my, these look incredible. My boys would LOVE them (not to mention me...) I must pin!! Thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. These look fabulous! I saw the link on "Less Laundry More Linking" and had to take a look. They look fairly simple to bake up, too! Thanks so much!
    Erin
    www.delightfulEmade.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Erin!

      Thanks for coming by!
      Yes, they are easy to bake! I hope you give them a try soon :0)
      Have a beautiful weekend,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  12. Red velvet brownies AND frosting - I'm sold!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for coming by, Kim!
      Have a great weekend,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  13. Wow, those look so delicious!! I love your pictures! Seriously cannot wait to try this recipe!

    ~Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jen,

      Thanks for coming by . . . and thank you for your kind comment.
      These go fast in our home :0)
      Hope you can try them soon.
      Have a beautiful weekend,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  14. I just love this whole intro about Red Velvet cake (you learn something new everyday). These look absolutely delicious, definitely a must try.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sarah!

      Have you noticed that there are so many colors, textures, and flavors of Red Velvet Cake? Because of that, I've been on a quest to find "the real deal."
      Thanks so much for coming by. Please come back again soon.
      Have a beautiful weekend,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  15. I have been trying to make a not too dry red velvet cake for years. Still have not mastered it! I'd love to try your brownies! Please, please share this at on Stylish Friday Finds link party! My readers would love to have your recipe! Thanks so much!
    Happy Weekend!
    http://www.astylishinterior.com/2013/09/new-link-party-stylish-friday-finds.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Karen!

      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Ok, so here's what I learned about making a MOIST red velvet cake . . . adding OIL (not butter!) makes for a moist one. Another must-include ingredient is buttermilk.
      I hope that helps.
      And thank you for extending an invitation to join Stylish Fridays. I'll be there!
      Have a beautiful weekend!
      Come back again soon,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  16. Red Velvet cake is one of my favorites - these brownies sound delicious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Donna,

      Thanks for coming by!
      I hope you give the recipe a try soon :0)
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  17. I love cream cheese frosting! So of course I think it's the icing on the cake, or should I say brownie. lol! I am not a big brownie lover, but red velvet, now that's a different story. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jann!

      So happy to see you :0)
      You might like these then, because they're a cross between a cake and a brownie. The best of both. And the frosting . . . well, it's so so darn good!
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  18. This takes my favorite things and puts it into a brownie! Thanks for sharing this with the Less Laundry, More Linking party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Brenna!
      Thanks for coming by!
      These brownies are great! I hope you can give the recipe a try soon :0)
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  19. Suzanne these look so good!! Thanks so much for partying with us at the Inspiration Monday Link Party :) xo

    ReplyDelete
  20. This sounds so yummy. I can't wait to try this.
    Have a wonderful week,
    Bev
    @ Eclectic Red Barn

    ReplyDelete
  21. oh my....these look wonderful! We'd love for you to come over to our newest link party over at The Inspiration Network: DELISH- a desserts only link party. Bring your desserts and let's party!!
    http://theinspiration-network.com/delish-a-desserts-only-link-party/

    Smiles,
    Melanie and Diana
    The Inspiration Network

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melanie!
      Thanks so much for coming by and extending an invitation to join your desserts only link party!
      Have a great weekend,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  22. My step-daughter recently requested red velvet cake for a dinner we're making for her and her friends. Do you think this could be made as a cake vs. brownies?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shana!
      Absolutely! I think it would taste divine :0)
      Come back again soon!
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  23. These brownies sound so tasty! I love brownies and I must try them in "red velvet" now!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for linking them up at DELISH…a desserts only link party!

    Smiles,
    Melanie

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh I sooooo need one of these NOW!!! : ) Hugs and TFS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I didn't see where you listed the size of pan you used? I want to try these! Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vicki!

      Thanks so much for coming by!
      I think it was a 9" x 11" glass baking dish.
      Happy baking!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  27. This sounds wonderful! Thank you for the recipe! There are several of Paula Deen's recipes that are The Best Hands Down! I love her apple crisp and don't even get me talkin' about her Mississippi Mud. ;-) Oh, my! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Marci!
      Thanks so much for coming by!
      Your comment made me smile, because I've sampled several of Paula Deen's recipes over the years and I've never been disappointed. And her cream cheese frosting recipe that I use to top these Red VELVET brownies is flavorful, light, and luxurious.
      I'm going to have to look into her Mississippi Mud. Thanks for sharing!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  28. My hubby LOVES Red Velvet cake, I can't wait to try this! Looks YUMMY!!!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY Suzanne!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cindy!
      So happy you came by!
      I hope you and your husband enjoy these as much as we do ;0)
      The frosting I shared to top these brownies is also to die for!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

      Delete
  29. Your brownies look amazing! I love brownies, and cream cheese. I bet they even taste better then they look. Thank you for sharing!

    Linda @ Mixed Kreations

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  30. Do you use unsweetened cocoa powder or sweetened

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  31. Hey Suzanne! Thanks for the recipe. I made these tonight and it came out very spongey, more like a cake. I baked for 18 min and it was still really "sloshy" when I checked on them, so I waited 8 more min and it was done (toothpick came out clean). Any suggestions or was that the intended outcome? Thanks either way! I topped it with a white chocolate buttercream and it's in a Pyrex ready for my husband to take to work and share with his platoon tomorrow :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Courtney,
      I'm so sorry that it's taken me so long to respond!
      The texture of these brownies is supposed to be a mix between a brownie and a cake. I'm not sure what happened to yours. Have you checked the internal temperature in your oven? Is it accurate? That's the only thing that I can think that would've contributed to the end product.
      I love the sound of white chocolate buttercream!
      Wishing you and your husband Happy Holidays!
      Suzanne

      Delete

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