DESSERTS

Frosted Red Velvet Bars: 5 Reasons to Indulge

by basmer

2 de February de 2026

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Frosted Red Velvet Bars are the ultimate dessert that combines the best qualities of cake, cookie, and brownie. These bars are not only visually stunning with their deep red color but are also incredibly fudgy and chewy, delivering just the right amount of tanginess. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of red crumbs, they offer a delightful twist on a classic dessert. If you’re looking for an indulgent treat that will impress family and friends, this is it!

Why You’ll Love This Frosted Red Velvet Bars

There are countless reasons to fall in love with Frosted Red Velvet Bars. First, they are incredibly easy to make, making them perfect for both novice and experienced bakers. Second, their rich flavor profile, combining cocoa and cream cheese, is hard to resist. Third, they are versatile and can be served at various occasions, from birthdays to holiday gatherings. Fourth, the bars are moist, making them a delightful treat for any dessert lover. Lastly, they can be enjoyed as Red Velvet Dessert Bars or even as Frosted Red Velvet Squares, catering to different preferences. These bars are truly a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients for Frosted Red Velvet Bars

Gather these items:

12 tablespoons (172g) unsalted butter
3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (150g) dark brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons red gel food coloring
1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 1/4 cups (163g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 oz block full fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups (165g) powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

How to Make Frosted Red Velvet Bars Step-by-Step

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350F. Grease and line the bottom and sides of a 9×9″ baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: In a medium pot, melt butter until liquid and it just starts to sizzle.
Step 3: Take the pot off the heat and immediately add in the granulated and brown sugar. Whisk together until the butter stops separating from the sugars and you have a thick, glossy mixture.
Step 4: Pour the butter sugar mix into a large bowl. It may be a little warm but it shouldn’t be hot at this point. If it’s hot, set it aside for 5-10 minutes just to cool slightly.
Step 5: Whisk in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla, food coloring, and vinegar.
Step 6: Lastly, add in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt and mix together until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 7: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan. Bake in the center of your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with a few fudgy crumbs.
Step 8: Cool the red velvet bars completely to room temperature in the pan before pulling them out and frosting.
Step 9: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and butter.
Step 10: Use an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to cream together until smooth.
Step 11: Add in the powdered sugar and mix on low until the sugar is dissolved.
Step 12: Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula then add in the vanilla. Beat together until smooth and combined.
Step 13: You should be able to use the frosting right away, but if it’s too soft, pop it into the fridge for 20-30 minutes to allow it to firm up slightly before using.
Step 14: Pull the cooled red velvet slab out of the baking pan and place onto your serving platter.
Step 15: (Optional) If you want some red velvet crumbs to crumble over the frosted bars, cut a small strip off of one side and use your fingers to crumble it up into a plate.
Step 16: Drop the frosting on top of the red velvet bars and spread it evenly over the surface. Sprinkle the reserved crumbs on top. Slice into 9-16 bars and serve!

Pro Tips for the Perfect Frosted Red Velvet Bars

Keep these in mind:

Ensure the butter is not too hot before adding sugars.
For best results, use room temperature ingredients.
Adjust the size of the bars based on preference.
Consider using a mixer for a smoother batter.

Best Ways to Serve Frosted Red Velvet Bars

These Red Velvet Cake Bars with Frosting are perfect for various occasions. Serve them at birthday parties, holiday gatherings, or simply as a sweet treat after dinner. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience. They also make a delightful addition to a dessert table at celebrations!

How to Store and Reheat Frosted Red Velvet Bars

To store your Frosted Red Velvet Bars, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last for about a week. If you want to enjoy them warm, simply microwave for a few seconds to bring back their delicious fudgy texture. These bars are also great for meal prep, allowing you to have a sweet treat ready at any time!

Frequently Asked Questions About Frosted Red Velvet Bars

What’s the secret to perfect Frosted Red Velvet Bars?

The secret lies in ensuring your ingredients are at room temperature and not overmixing the batter. This will help you achieve the moist texture that makes these bars so delightful!

Can I make Frosted Red Velvet Bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars can be made a day ahead, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Just store them in the refrigerator and frost them right before serving.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Frosted Red Velvet Bars?

Avoid using cold ingredients and ensure you measure your flour correctly to prevent dry bars. Following the recipe closely will help you achieve the desired results!

Variations of Frosted Red Velvet Bars You Can Try

Feel free to experiment with your Frosted Red Velvet Bars. You can add chocolate chips for a decadent touch or try a different frosting, like a cream cheese frosting with white chocolate. These bars are versatile, so get creative!

For more delicious dessert ideas, check out our latest recipes or try making gingerbread cookies for the holidays!

Frosted Red Velvet Bars: 5 Reasons to Indulge

Author: basmer
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 9-16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Frosted Red Velvet Bars combine the best qualities of red velvet cake, cookie, and brownie. They are fudgy, chewy, and have a beautiful deep red color. Topped with smooth cream cheese frosting and red crumbs, they offer a delightful twist on a vintage cake.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350F. Grease and line the bottom and sides of a 9×9″ baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium pot, melt butter until liquid and it just starts to sizzle.
Take the pot off the heat and immediately add in the granulated and brown sugar. Whisk together until the butter stops separating from the sugars and you have a thick, glossy mixture.
Pour the butter sugar mix into a large bowl. It may be a little warm but it shouldn’t be hot at this point. If it’s hot, set it aside for 5-10 minutes just to cool slightly.
Whisk in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla, food coloring, and vinegar.
Lastly, add in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt and mix together until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan. Bake in the center of your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with a few fudgy crumbs.
Cool the red velvet bars completely to room temperature in the pan before pulling them out and frosting.
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and butter.
Use an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to cream together until smooth.
Add in the powdered sugar and mix on low until the sugar is dissolved.
Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula then add in the vanilla. Beat together until smooth and combined.
You should be able to use the frosting right away, but if it’s too soft, pop it into the fridge for 20-30 minutes to allow it to firm up slightly before using.
Pull the cooled red velvet slab out of the baking pan and place onto your serving platter.
(Optional) If you want some red velvet crumbs to crumble over the frosted bars, cut a small strip off of one side and use your fingers to crumble it up into a plate.
Drop the frosting on top of the red velvet bars and spread it evenly over the surface. Sprinkle the reserved crumbs on top. Slice into 9-16 bars and serve!