Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies take the decadent fudgy brownie we love and elevates it to new heights. A layer of soft and creamy cheesecake swirled with ultra chocolatey red velvet brownie batter.
For my readers who love red velvet cake, you MUST try my delicious red velvet crinkle cookies. Or start your day with a batch of red velvet biscotti!
You Need This Red Velvet Brownies Recipe
These decadent Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies are surprising, impressive, and super tasty. Red velvet desserts make the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day.
If you love thick and fudgy brownies, you’ll have to try today’s recipe.
- The brownies use melted butter, so there’s no waiting around for cold butter to soften.
- Moist brownies- you’ll love the moist crumbs from this red velvet brownie base.
- The brownie and cheesecake share a lot of the same ingredients. So, you won’t have to pick up a million different ingredients to create this over-the-top scrumptious recipe.
- The cheesecake layer is smooth and creamy. It compliments the fudge brownie base perfectly.
My classic cheesecake brownies are equally wonderful. Give my cheesecake stuffed cookies a try next!
Ingredient Notes
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card to see the full ingredient list for these fudgy red velvet brownies.
- Butter – This recipe calls for unsalted butter. However, if you only have salted butter on hand, you can use it and skip the additional salt in the recipe.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder– add this to the batter to create decadent red velvet brownies!
- Red Food Coloring – I prefer using gel food coloring, but you could use liquid food dye in a pinch. Gel food coloring produces a vibrant red color with the least amount of food coloring needed.
- Kosher Salt – Kosher salt is great for baking because it’s less salty than iodized table salt.
- Eggs – Pull your eggs from the fridge and allow them to sit on the counter while you collect the rest of your ingredients. Room-temperature eggs incorporate into the batter easier than cold ones.
- All-Purpose Flour
- Vanilla Extract– Use our homemade vanilla extract for best flavor!
- Granulated Sugar
- Cream Cheese – Softened, room-temperature cream cheese is best. When you pull the eggs from the fridge, set out the cream cheese too.
*White chocolate chips would be a delicious addition to the brownie batter.
How to Make Cheesecake Swirled Red Velvet Brownies
Start the Red Batter Base –
- The batter will be extremely thick at the start. Mix the wet ingredients until smooth. Add dry ingredients. Stir the flour into the batter, just until combined. Don’t over mix here.
- You’ll need to set aside about ¼ cup of red velvet brownie batter to a small bowl. Add remaining batter to baking dish.
Make Cheesecake Filling
Assemble Layers & Create a Swirl – Pour the cream cheese mixture over the red velvet brownie layer, and smooth the top to create an even surface. Then, dollop about 9 scoops of the reserved brownie batter throughout the cheesecake batter. Use a toothpick to create cream cheese swirls.
Bake & Cool – Only the center of the cheesecake should appear soft and jiggly. The rest of the cheesecake should be set. Chill for at least 2 hours before slicing. I promise, they’re worth the wait!
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe. There’s added sugar in the batter and the cheesecake mixture, so you don’t want to overdo the sweetness.
- Gel food coloring will give you more vibrancy with less dye than liquid food coloring. You can’t beat gel food coloring for the iconic deep, rich red hue of red velvet.
- Don’t skip the chilling step in the recipe! The cheesecake layer needs the cold to set fully.
- For super-clean cuts, dip your butter knife in a tall glass of warm water, and wipe off the excess water. Then, make your slice from edge to edge of the baking dish. Wipe off the knife and repeat. The heated knife will create crisp cuts without crumbs. You’ll have picture-perfect brownies every time.
- These fudgy red velvet cheesecake brownies taste amazing. Imagine a slice of red velvet cake topped with cream cheese frosting. That is what these taste like!
- When baking brownies, I prefer to use metal pans instead of glass pans. I feel they conduct heat better for baking. Save your glass pans for side dishes!
Recipe FAQs
These brownies are best when you whip up the batter right before you bake them. I don’t suggest storing the batter to bake at a later time.
Store these brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or cover the pan with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge.
After the cheesecake brownies are baked, the freezer is fair game. When stored in an airtight container, they’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Then, allow them to come to room temperature before digging in!
More Brownie Recipes
- Caramel Brownies
- Brownie Ice Cream Cake
- Oreo Brownies
- M&M Brownies
- Dark Chocolate Brownies
- Buttermilk Brownies
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Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon red gel food coloring
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
For the Cheesecake
- 1 package cream cheese, softened to room temperature 8 ounce
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 or 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, start making the brownie layer. Combine melted butter, sugar, and cocoa powder. Batter will be thick. Mix in gel food coloring (using a wooden spoon).
- Add in vanilla, salt, and eggs, mixing until smoother.
- Add in flour, mixing just until combined. Remove about 1/4 cup of the batter and set it aside. Pour the remaining batter into the baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, starting the cheesecake layer, blend cream cheese, egg, flour, and sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until smooth.
- Pour over the brownie layer, smoothing it out evenly.
- Use a small metal scoop (or teaspoon) and dollop about 9 scoops of the remaining batter over the top of the cream cheese layer.
- Use a toothpick to swirl the batter and cream cheese together gently.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, the cheesecake center may still appear soft.
- Cool to room temperature then chill for two hours before slicing.
Notes
- Gel food coloring achieves a more vibrant color with less amount than liquid food coloring.
- Store cheesecake brownies covered in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze in airtight container for up to 3 months.
- See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.
