Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies: A Delicious Treat

Hey there! Today, I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite recipes — Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies! They’re soft, chocolatey, and have a sweet cheesecake swirl in the middle. Trust me, these are a real hit in my house. Even my neighbor can’t stop talking about them! Let’s get into the recipe so you can try them too!

What You’ll Need:

For the Red Velvet Brownie Base:

• ⅔ cup (80 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons (22 g) cornstarch
• ¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder (don’t use Dutch-processed cocoa, it makes the brownies too dark!)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup (150 g) white granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs (make sure they’re at room temperature)
• ¼ cup (53 g) vegetable oil (I use canola oil)
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons liquid red food coloring

For the Cheesecake Swirl:

• 1 cup (225 g) cream cheese (room temperature)
• ¼ cup (50 g) white granulated sugar
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This is a regular oven temperature — if you have a fan-assisted one, you may want to drop the temperature by 10–15°C. Grease an 8×8-inch square cake tin, and line it with parchment paper, leaving some paper hanging over the edges. This will help you lift the brownies out later, making life much easier!

Make the Red Velvet Brownie Batter: In a bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix it well with a whisk and set it aside.

Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sugar and eggs. Now, using a hand or stand mixer, beat this mixture on medium speed for about 3 minutes. It should become thick and light in color, kind of like a cloud! My neighbor always says the mixture should look like it’s “got a good mix of happiness in it.”

Add Oil, Butter, and More: To the egg mixture, add the oil, melted butter, vanilla extract, vinegar, and red food coloring. Mix it all together gently with a spatula. Be careful not to lose the air you just beat into the eggs — we want the brownies to stay nice and fluffy!

Fold in the Dry Ingredients: Add the sifted dry ingredients to the batter. Use the spatula to fold it all together, but don’t overmix. Overmixing is like stirring too hard and making the batter sad! You want everything just combined.

Layer the Brownie Base: Spread about ⅔ of the red velvet brownie batter into your prepared tin. Try to make it as even as you can. It doesn’t have to be perfect — I think a little imperfection makes the brownies look more “homemade” and fun!

Make the Cheesecake Swirl: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla, and flour. Mix it together until it’s smooth. I love the creamy texture of this layer. It’s like a secret ingredient that makes these brownies extra special.

Layer the Cheesecake: Spoon dollops of the cheesecake mixture over the red velvet brownie base. Use a spatula to spread it out gently without mixing it into the brownie batter. You want a nice, creamy layer on top.

Add the Last Brownie Layer: Now, take the remaining red velvet batter and add dollops on top of the cheesecake layer. Spread it gently so that it covers the cheesecake completely. My granny always says, “Don’t rush the spread!” That’s the secret to a good swirl.

Swirl It: Here’s the fun part! Take a toothpick and swirl it through the batter. This creates that gorgeous cheesecake swirl effect that makes your brownies look super fancy!

Bake the Brownies: Tap the tin lightly on the counter to get rid of any air bubbles. Then, bake in the oven for 25–28 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. Trust me, the smell while they’re baking will drive you crazy with hunger — I can never wait for them to cool!

Cool and Slice: Let the brownies cool completely in the tin. Once they’re cool, use the parchment paper to lift them out of the tin. Slice into squares and enjoy!

My Thoughts:

These brownies are absolutely delicious! The rich red velvet flavor pairs perfectly with the creamy cheesecake swirl. Honestly, every time I make them, my whole family loves them. My neighbor even asked me for the recipe! People on the internet say these are the best brownies they’ve ever had, and I totally agree.

What My Granny Thinks: My granny would tell you that these brownies remind her of the old-fashioned treats we used to bake together. She says they’re perfect for a Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea.

If you’re looking for a fun treat to make with the kids or to impress your friends, give these Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies a try. They’re simple to make and taste amazing. Plus, the swirl looks super fancy, and everyone will think you’re a baking pro!

Enjoy baking, and don’t forget to share them with someone special!