Christmas Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting!
Indulge in these festive Christmas Velvet Brownies, featuring a rich, fudgy texture and topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for holiday gatherings!
Equipment
- 8x8 inch square baking pan
- Parchment Paper
- Medium Bowl
- Whisk
- Wire Rack
- Stand Mixer (optional)
Ingredients
Brownies
- 0.75 cup melted butter (1.5 sticks, regular or dairy-free)
- 0.75 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon liquid red food coloring (adjust for desired vibrant color)
- 1.5 teaspoons white vinegar
- 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 1.1875 cups all-purpose flour (1 cup + 3 tablespoons)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces plain cream cheese softened (regular or dairy-free; use cold if dairy-free)
- 0.25 cup softened butter (0.5 stick, regular or dairy-free)
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- salt Pinch
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar, 1.5 to 2 cups recommended)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (only if using dairy-free cream cheese, optional for thickening)
Instructions
Making the Brownies:
- 1. Get Ready: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some to hang over the sides for simple removal later.
- 2. Melt Butter: In a medium bowl, gently melt your butter. You can do this quickly on the stove or in the microwave.
- 3. Mix Sugars: Add both the light brown sugar and granulated sugar to the melted butter. Whisk them together until the mixture looks like a smooth paste and easily pulls away from the bowl's sides.
- 4. Wet Ingredients: Stir in the eggs, white vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix well until everything is beautifully combined and the color is a lovely red. Feel free to add a few more drops of food coloring if you desire a deeper holiday hue!
- 5. Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle in the cocoa powder, salt, and all-purpose flour. Whisk until just combined—be careful not to overmix, as this keeps your brownies tender.
- 6. Bake: Pour the luscious brownie batter evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for about 30-40 minutes. They're ready when the top is delightfully crinkly and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- 7. Cool Down: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Patience here makes for perfectly set brownies!
Whipping up the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8. Frosting Base: In a medium bowl (or a stand mixer), combine the cream cheese, softened butter, a pinch of salt, and vanilla extract. Beat until wonderfully smooth and creamy.
- 9. Sweeten: Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until you achieve your desired consistency – a little more for thicker frosting, less for a softer spread. If you're using dairy-free cream cheese, now is the time to mix in the cornstarch to help thicken it beautifully.
- 10. Chill & Frost: Store the finished frosting in the fridge until your brownies are entirely cool. Once cooled, spread the delightful cream cheese frosting generously over the brownies. Slice, serve, and enjoy your festive treat!
Notes
Nutrition Information per serving (1 of 16 brownies): Calories: 291kcal, Total Carbs: 49g, Net Carbs: 48g, Fats: 12g, Protein: 3g.
