Description
Enjoy these decadent Red Velvet Sugar Cookie Bars topped with a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting. Combining the rich flavors of classic red velvet cake with the chewy texture of sugar cookie bars, this easy-to-make dessert is perfect for parties, holidays, or a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by lining it with aluminum foil or parchment paper and spraying with cooking spray to ensure the bars easily lift out and cut smoothly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1 1/2 cups of sugar until the mixture is light and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Food Coloring: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of red food coloring until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Form Cookie Dough: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Press Dough into Pan: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13 inch pan.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the edges start to pull away from the sides and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Make the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened butter until smooth. Gradually add in the sifted powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is creamy and smooth with no lumps.
- Frost Bars and Serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Cut into 16 bars and enjoy!
Notes
- To remove bars easily, lining the pan with foil or parchment paper is recommended.
- Make sure the bars are completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting the cream cheese frosting.
- You can adjust the amount of red food coloring to achieve your desired shade of red.
- These bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- For best results, use room temperature butter and cream cheese for easier mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 452 kcal
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 291 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 86 mg
