Cookie Week - Red Velvet Brownies

Cookie week continues! Hopefully the boyfriends coworkers don't get too sick of cookies. I've been sending him to work with lots and lots of them. Well, most of them, these red velvet brownies didn't leave the house. Call me a sucker for cream cheese frosting, because you couldn't pry these from my hands.

I prefer the red velvet brownie over a traditional brownie. It has just enough chocolate flavor, like a cocoa flavored blondie. So good. I think Santa will be very happy when he comes to visit my house. That is assuming I haven't already eaten all of these.

Okay, truth - I've already eaten them all.  Sorry Santa.

One Year Ago: Triple Peanut & Chocolate Chip Cookies
Two Years Ago: Peppermint Mallomars
Three Years Ago: Banana Whoopie Pies

Red Velvet Brownies

Adapted from Christmas Cookies Magazine

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 eggs
3 tablespoons buttermilk
1 teaspoon1 vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring

Preheat oven to 350 ºF. Line an 8x8-inch pan with aluminum foil, allow foil to drape over the edges of the pan. Lightly coat foil with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.  To a small saucepan, add water, butter and cocoa powder.  Heat over medium heat until butter is melted and the mixture is just beginning to boil.  Add to flour mixture and beat with a mixer until combined.  Add eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and food coloring, beat until combined. (The batter will be very thin).

Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set brownies on a wire rack until completely cooled. Frost with cream cheese frosting.  Lift brownies out of the pan using the foil. Gently peel foil from the brownies and cut into 16 squares.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Adapted from everywhere

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons full fat cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth and fluffy.  Add vanilla extract and beat until combined.  Add powdered, sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Beat on high until fluffy.