Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

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Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

Indulge in decadent Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies! This irresistible recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Prep Time15

Cook Time35

Refrigeration time4

Total Time4 50

Course: Dessert, Valentines

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 232kcal

Author: Susan Ensley

Equipment

9x13 baking pan
Parchment paper
Large Bowl
4-cup measuring cup with a spout
medium size bowl
Small Bowl
2 whisks
2 silicone spatulas
Electric hand mixer

Ingredients

For the Red Velvet Brownies

3 ¼ c All-Purpose Flour
2 ¼ c White Granulated Sugar
3 tbs Cocoa Powder
½ teaspoon Baking Powder
½ teaspoon Table Salt
3 Large Eggs
1 c Vegetable Oil
5 tbs Whole Milk divided
1 ½ tbs Vanilla Extract
2 tbs Red Food Coloring¹
2 teaspoon White Vinegar
5.5 oz White Chocolate Chips

For the Cheesecake Layer

8 oz Cream Cheese room temperature
¾ c White Granulated Sugar
2 Large Eggs
1 tbs Vanilla Extract

Instructions

To Make the Red Velvet Brownies

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside until ready to use.
Crack three large eggs into a 4-cup measuring cup with a spout and lightly whisk them. Then, add the vegetable oil, two tablespoons of milk, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red food coloring. Use a small whisk to combine everything until the mixture is well-emulsified. Set aside until ready to use.
Place the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder in a large bowl and whisk together until well combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a silicone spatula to stir until dough forms.
Use a large ice cream scoop to remove about ¾ cup of the batter, and place it in a small bowl. Set the small bowl aside until ready to use.
Stir white chocolate chips into brownie batter in the large bowl. Transfer the brownie batter to the prepared baking pan, and use a silicone spatula to press it into an even layer. Set the pan aside while preparing the cheesecake layer.

To Make the Cheesecake Swirl Layer

Place the room-temperature cream cheese in a medium-sized bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer for about a minute until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat for about two minutes until well combined. Then, add the vanilla extract and two eggs and beat for about a minute until well combined. Scrape the bowl and beat for another minute.
Pour the cheesecake batter over the red velvet brownie batter in the prepared pan. Smooth the cheesecake batter with a silicone spatula so that it reaches the edges. Set the pan aside while you make the red velvet swirl.
Pour three tablespoons of milk into the small bowl with the reserved brownie batter. Use a silicone spatula to stir the milk into the brownie batter until well combined and the batter is liquid.
Use a small ice cream scoop, or a large spoon, to drop the red batter into the cheesecake layer. Use a wooden chopstick or knife to draw through the red velvet batter to create the swirl effect on top.
Bake in a 350°F oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is set. Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature. Place the pan in the refrigerator uncovered² for at least four hours, or overnight to chill thoroughly.
To serve the Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies, remove the pan from the refrigerator, lift the parchment out of the pan, and place it on a large cutting board. Peel the parchment away from the brownies and cut it into squares. Store the brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Yield 24 servings

Notes

Recently the FDA banned Red 3 dye however, this ban does not go into effect until January 15, 2027. The McCormick Red Food Coloring that I used in this recipe, and is what's typically found in most supermarkets, unfortunately does contain the banned ingredient. However, there are some red food colorings on the market that do not contain the banned ingredient. Amazon sells a variety of natural food colorings, ranging from powder to gel to liquid. The one that I would recommend, that is closest to what I used in this recipe, is this Amazon Fresh Red Food coloring. You can also get plant based food colorings at Whole Foods, but they come in a pack of four colors.
When placing the room temperature pan in the refrigerator, do not cover it because condensation will form on top of the brownies when they chill.

Nutrition