Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies

• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Red Velvet Brownie Batter:

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp red food coloring

⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

¾ cup all-purpose flour

¼ tsp salt

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat and Prepare:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

Make the Red Velvet Batter:

In a bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and red food coloring.

Sift in cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Stir until just combined. Set aside about ¼ cup of this batter for the swirl topping.

Make the Cream Cheese Filling:

In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

Assemble the Brownies:

Spread most of the red velvet batter evenly in the prepared pan.

Pour the cream cheese filling over the batter and gently spread.

Drop spoonfuls of the reserved red velvet batter on top and swirl lightly with a knife.

Bake:

Bake for 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Cool completely in the pan before slicing.