Red Velvet Cookie Bars

Red Velvet Cookie Bars deliver chewy red velvet goodness in easy-to-slice squares topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for Valentine’s Day parties or holiday cookie exchanges.

These one-pan wonders bake in 20 minutes yielding 24 bars that stay moist for days.

Why This Recipe Works

Cocoa powder provides authentic red velvet tang without overpowering chocolate. Red gel food coloring creates vibrant hue that doesn’t fade during baking. Cake flour keeps texture tender rather than cakey. Cream cheese frosting cuts sweetness with signature tang.

Ingredients & Prep

Bars: 3 cups all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, 1 cup butter softened, 1½ cups sugar, 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 1 oz red gel food coloring.
Frosting: 8 oz cream cheese softened, ¼ cup butter softened, 3½ cups powdered sugar, 2 tsp vanilla.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven 350°F. Line grease 9×13-inch pan parchment. Whisk flour cocoa baking powder soda salt. Beat butter sugar fluffy 3 minutes. Add eggs one-at-a-time vanilla food coloring. Gradually mix dry ingredients just combined. Press evenly pan smooth top. Bake 18-22 minutes toothpick clean edges pulling. Cool completely. Beat cream cheese butter smooth. Gradually powdered sugar vanilla until spreadable. Frost chilled bars cut squares.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Room temperature airtight 3 days. Refrigerate frosted 5 days. Freeze unfrosted 2 months.

FAQs

Bars sticky? Underbaked wait full time. Frosting runny? Chill 15 minutes extra powdered sugar. Color faded? Use gel not liquid coloring.

Conclusion

Red Velvet Cookie Bars capture cake magic through cookie convenience chewy festive frosting perfection.

Red Velvet Cookie Bars

Print Recipe

Soft, chewy red velvet cookie bars with a rich cocoa flavor, vibrant color, and a sweet vanilla finish baked thick and topped with melty white chocolate chips for an easy dessert bar everyone loves.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 9 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp red food coloring
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• 2. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth.
• 3. Add egg, milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring; mix until fully combined.
• 4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
• 5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a thick batter forms.
• 6. Fold in white chocolate chips.
• 7. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
• 8. Bake for 18–22 minutes until set but still soft in the center.
• 9. Cool completely before slicing into bars.

Notes

• Do not overbake to keep bars soft and chewy.
• Swap white chocolate chips for cream cheese chips if desired.
• Bars store well covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: red velvet bars, cookie bars, easy dessert bars, red velvet cookies