If you adore the decadence of brownies and the soft chewiness of cookies, then you are in for a treat with this Red Velvet Brookies Recipe. This delightful mashup combines the rich, fudgy texture of red velvet brownies with the comforting, buttery goodness of chocolate chip cookies. The result is a stunning dessert that’s as visually dazzling with its vibrant red hue as it is scrumptious. Every bite is a perfect balance of flavors and textures that’s sure to become your new favorite indulgence for family gatherings, celebrations, or simply whenever the sweet tooth calls.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple but thoughtfully chosen ingredients is the secret to nailing this Red Velvet Brookies Recipe. Each component plays an essential role in creating that perfect balance of color, flavor, and texture that makes this dessert truly memorable.
- 1 ¾ cups flour: Provides the structure for both the cookie and brownie layers, ensuring the right density.
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa: Boosts that chocolaty richness and deepens the red velvet flavor.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors perfectly.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough to be tender but not cakey.
- ¾ cup butter (at room temperature): Adds creamy richness and moisture to the cookie dough.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies with a mild crunch.
- 1 cup brown sugar: Adds chewiness and a mellow molasses undertone to the cookie layer.
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk: Binds ingredients and adds richness for a tender bite.
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring: Delivers that classic vibrant red hue that defines red velvet desserts.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Lends signature warmth and depth to both the cookie and brownie layers.
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar: Reacts with baking soda to help tenderize and enhance the red velvet color.
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips: Little pockets of melty chocolate that surprise you in every bite.
- 1 cup butter (at room temperature): For the brownie batter’s rich and creamy foundation.
- 2 cups sugar: Sweetens the brownie batter perfectly.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings out the flavors in the brownie base.
- 3 eggs: The moisture and structure builders in the brownie mix.
- 1 cup flour: Provides body and structure to the brownie layer.
How to Make Red Velvet Brookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F and greasing a 9 inch by 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. This ensures an even bake and makes sure your brookies come out cleanly when it’s time to enjoy.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients for Cookies
In a small bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Setting this aside will make it easy to combine evenly later.
Step 3: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, cream the butter with both sugars until it’s smooth and creamy. Then add the egg and egg yolk, mixing well to incorporate. Pour in the red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar to get that iconic red velvet flavor and color. Slowly add the dry ingredients while mixing until everything is uniform, then hand fold in the chocolate chips for those irresistible pockets of chocolate.
Step 4: Chill the Cookie Dough
Pop the cookie dough into the refrigerator. Chilling it tightens the dough, making it easier to spread later and helps preserve the cookies’ chewy texture during baking.
Step 5: Prepare the Brownie Batter
In another large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar for the brownie base until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract, eggs, red food coloring, and white vinegar. In a separate bowl, combine the cocoa, flour, salt, and baking powder, then gradually incorporate this into the wet mixture, stirring just until smooth and velvety.
Step 6: Assemble the Brookies
Spread the brownie batter evenly into your prepared baking dish, creating the base layer. Then take the chilled cookie dough and gently spread it over the brownie layer. This layering creates the defining characteristic of the Red Velvet Brookies Recipe—a perfectly balanced duo of textures and flavors in every bite.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake everything in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes. You want to bake until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs attached. Let the brookies cool before slicing so the layers settle and cut neatly.
How to Serve Red Velvet Brookies Recipe
Garnishes
Simple toppings like a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of cream cheese glaze elevate the red velvet colors and add an extra touch of indulgence. Fresh berries also complement the rich chocolate and red velvet flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
These brookies shine best alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For an adult twist, a cup of rich coffee or a creamy latte pairs wonderfully with the chocolatey and sweet layers.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the brookies into small squares and serve them on a dessert platter with colorful edible flowers or sprinkles for a party tray that’s as festive as it is delicious. You can also stack them between sheets of parchment paper in decorative boxes as delightful gifts for friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Red Velvet Brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps the brownies moist and the cookie layer chewy without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to keep them for longer, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy the magic of this dessert any time.
Reheating
Warm frozen or refrigerated brookies briefly in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds. This refreshes the gooey texture and melts those chocolate chips slightly, giving you that freshly baked experience in an instant.
FAQs
Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of unsweetened cocoa?
Yes, regular cocoa powder works just fine in the Red Velvet Brookies Recipe. Just make sure it’s unsweetened to keep the balance of flavors right and avoid affecting the sweetness.
Is there a substitute for red food coloring?
You can try using natural alternatives like beet juice or powdered freeze-dried beetroot for color, but keep in mind the final shade might be less vibrant. For that classic red velvet look, traditional red food coloring is best.
Do I have to chill the cookie dough?
Chilling the cookie dough is highly recommended as it helps the dough hold its shape better while baking and enhances the chewy texture that makes the cookie layer stand out against the brownie base.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just replace the flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
How do I know when the brookies are done baking?
Look for set edges and a mostly clean toothpick when inserted into the center, with only a few moist crumbs clinging to it. If the cookie dough on top is golden and the brownies feel firm underneath, you’re good to go.
Final Thoughts
The Red Velvet Brookies Recipe is one of those unforgettable desserts that brings together the best of both worlds—cookie and brownie—in a way that’s irresistibly delicious and rich with nostalgic charm. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or craving a sweet treat at home, this recipe is sure to bring smiles and “yum”s all around. Trust me, once you try making these, they’ll hold a permanent place in your dessert rotation. So grab your mixing bowls and get baking—you’re about to create magic!
Print
Red Velvet Brookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
Description
Delight in these irresistible Red Velvet Brookies, a perfect combination of fudgy red velvet brownies topped with chewy chocolate chip cookies. This layered treat offers a luscious chocolate flavor with a festive red twist, ideal for sharing at parties or enjoying as a decadent dessert.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup butter (at room temperature)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup butter (at room temperature)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F to prepare for baking the brookies.
- Mix Dry Ingredients for Cookie Dough: In a small bowl, combine 1 ¾ cups flour, ¼ cup cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon baking powder; set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars (Cookie Dough): In a large bowl, mix ¾ cup room temperature butter with ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 cup brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add Eggs and Flavoring (Cookie Dough): Incorporate 1 egg and 1 egg yolk, then mix in 1 tablespoon red food coloring, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon white vinegar until well combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients (Cookie Dough): Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Hand-mix in 1 ½ cups chocolate chips evenly into the dough.
- Chill Cookie Dough: Place the cookie dough in the refrigerator to firm up while preparing the brownie batter.
- Prepare Brownie Batter Dry Mix: In a separate bowl, mix together 1 cup flour, 1 cup cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon baking powder.
- Cream Butter and Sugar (Brownie Batter): In a large bowl, cream 1 cup room temperature butter with 2 cups sugar until fluffy.
- Add Flavorings and Eggs (Brownie Batter): Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 eggs, 1 tablespoon red food coloring, and 1 teaspoon white vinegar.
- Combine Wet and Dry (Brownie Batter): Gradually mix in the dry ingredient blend until smooth and well incorporated.
- Assemble Brookies: Spray a 9 inch by 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray, then spread the brownie batter evenly as the base layer.
- Add Cookie Dough Layer: Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator and spread it evenly on top of the brownie batter.
- Bake Brookies: Place the assembled brookies in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the cookie layer is set and a toothpick inserted in the brownie layer comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brookies to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 15 servings and enjoying.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter to ensure smooth creaming.
- Chilling the cookie dough prevents it from spreading too much during baking.
- You can test doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center; it should come out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
- Store leftover brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Red food coloring can be adjusted to intensify the red color according to preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
