Description
These Red Velvet Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, rich, and topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting that melts in every bite. They combine the classic flavor of red velvet cake with the convenience of easy cookie bars, making them perfect for holidays, Valentine’s Day desserts, birthday treats, bake sales, quick dessert ideas, and easy party recipes. With their vibrant red color, fudgy texture, and creamy topping, these bars are a crowd-pleasing dessert that looks bakery-worthy while being simple enough for beginner bakers.
Whether you need an easy dessert recipe, festive food ideas, or a make-ahead sweet treat, these Red Velvet Cookie Bars deliver incredible flavor with minimal effort. Everything bakes in one pan for easy cleanup and perfectly soft bars every time.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup white chocolate chips optional
8 ounces cream cheese softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Red sprinkles
White chocolate shavings
Mini chocolate chips
Crushed freeze-dried raspberries
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Mix in the vanilla extract and red food coloring until fully combined.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
7. Fold in the white chocolate chips if using.
8. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly soft.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely.
11. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
12. Add the powdered sugar gradually and mix until fluffy.
13. Stir in the vanilla extract and pinch of salt.
14. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
15. Decorate with sprinkles or toppings of choice.
16. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
Do not overbake the bars because they continue setting while cooling and stay softer with a slightly underbaked center.
Use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring for a more vibrant red color without thinning the batter.
Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting to keep the cream cheese frosting thick and smooth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg