Red Velvet Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both comforting and show-stopping, this Red Velvet Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how these bars combine the tender crumb of red velvet cake with the convenience and chewiness of a cookie bar. Plus, topped with luscious cream cheese frosting — it’s pure magic! Stick around, because I’m going to share all my best tips to help you nail this fan-freaking-tastic treat every single time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to create that iconic red velvet flavor and texture, while making it easy for you to achieve the perfect bake. I recommend using softened butter and cream cheese for the best frosting consistency — it really makes all the difference.

• Flour: All-purpose works best to give these bars structure without being tough.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds that subtle chocolate hint essential in red velvet.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise ever so slightly for that tender crumb.
• Butter (softened): Use real butter for the best flavor and texture in both dough and frosting.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar gives a perfect sweetness without overpowering.
• Eggs: They bind everything and add moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: A little vanilla goes a long way in deepening the flavor profile.
• Red Food Coloring: Use a good quality gel or liquid food coloring to get that rich red hue.
• Cream Cheese (softened): For the frosting; makes it creamy, tangy, and utterly delicious.
• Powdered Sugar: Sifted to ensure smooth, lump-free frosting.

Variations

I love making these bars just as they are, but feel free to play around with the recipe depending on your mood or dietary needs. Everyone’s taste buds are a little different, so customizing makes this recipe yours.

• Gluten-Free Option: I once swapped in a gluten-free flour blend and it still turned out wonderfully chewy — just be sure your blend contains xanthan gum.
• Less Sweet Frosting: If you prefer a less sugary topping, try cutting back powdered sugar by 1/4 cup and adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
• White Chocolate Drizzle: On special occasions, I melt white chocolate and drizzle it over the frosting — total showstopper!
• Seasonal Twists: Adding a teaspoon of pumpkin spice or cinnamon can make these feel festive during the fall season.

How to Make Red Velvet Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). I always line my 9×13 inch baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray. This little trick makes it so much easier to lift the whole batch out later and get those neat, clean cuts without the bars sticking or breaking apart.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. This ensures that everything’s evenly combined and gives your bars a perfectly balanced flavor and rise. Set this aside while you work on the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a larger mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy—about 2 to 3 minutes. When I first tried this, I didn’t whip it enough and ended up with dense bars, so trust me, this step really matters.

Step 4: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Red Food Coloring

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and red food coloring. The dough will start to look totally festive at this point. If you’re like me and want a deeper red color, add a little extra food coloring — just be mindful not to go overboard, or you’ll lose that classic red velvet flavor balance.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Bake

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything comes together into a soft dough. Press this dough evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for about 20 minutes. I keep a close eye on mine around 18 minutes—the edges should start to pull away, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. Let the bars cool completely before moving to frosting.

Step 6: Make and Spread the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the bars cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Slowly add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat until you have a luscious, spreadable frosting. Once the bars are completely cooled, frost the top generously—and trust me, you’ll want to go all in here.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with these bars, but sometimes I’ll add a light dusting of cocoa powder or tiny white chocolate shavings on top of the frosting for an extra touch. Fresh raspberries or a sprinkling of chopped pecans also look and taste amazing if you want to fancy them up.

Side Dishes

These bars are sweet and rich, so I love pairing them with a simple cup of hot coffee or herbal tea—works perfect for an afternoon treat. If you want to serve them as part of a bigger spread, some fresh fruit or lightly salted nuts balance the indulgence nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holiday gatherings, I like to cut these bars into bite-sized squares and serve them on a pretty tiered dessert tray. Sometimes I’ll stack layers of bars separated with parchment paper in a decorative box if I’m gifting neighbors or friends — everyone loves getting these!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover bars can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend wrapping tightly with plastic wrap or keeping them in an airtight container to preserve freshness and keep that frosting nice and creamy without drying out.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these bars successfully by cutting them into individual squares, wrapping each piece in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When you want a sweet treat, thaw them in the fridge overnight. The texture stays moist and the frosting holds up well!

Reheating

If you want to warm up a slice, I suggest microwaving it for about 10-15 seconds on low power—just enough to take the chill off without melting the frosting totally. It’s delicious served slightly warm or straight out of the fridge, depending on your preference.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is one of those desserts that’s both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. It’s perfect for whenever you want to treat yourself or impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Whenever I bake this, my family goes crazy for it (especially my picky teen!), and I just love how it brings everyone together. Give it a try—you’ll be making these bars again and again, I promise.

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