Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars
These Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars feature a chocolate brownie base topped with a layer of creamy cheesecake. They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day…or any day!
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Red velvet cake pairs so well with cream cheese frosting. The creamy frosting combined with a soft red velvet cake is a thing of beauty. Taking things one step further, it stands to reason that red velvet also pairs well with cheesecake. After all, cheesecake is mostly cream cheese anyways…so red velvet + cheesecake is a way to elevate a classic red velvet cake.
Over the years, I’ve made Red Velvet Cupcakes…with cream cheese frosting. I’ve shared this recipe for a Red Velvet Cake Roll…with cream cheese frosting. And then there was this Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake…with a layer of cheesecake and cream cheese frosting! We’re adding another recipe to the collection today. These Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars feature all of the same delicious flavors…in easy-to-eat bar form.
Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars
These Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars start with an absolutely delicious red velvet brownie base. I could absolutely eat these brownies by themselves. But we can’t leave out the cream cheese! So next we spread a layer of cheesecake on top. Swirl in a bit of extra red velvet batter (just to make ’em look really fun), and you’re all set.
These bars only take about 30 minutes to bake, too. No fussing with a water bath or freezing the cheesecake overnight. Nope. Just spread the cheesecake on top of the red velvet base, swirl and bake. The hardest part is letting the bars cool before you slice ’em up!
These Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars are an excellent Valentine’s Day dessert. Since V-Day is all about red and chocolate, this recipe checks both boxes. (Red Velvet actually has a mild chocolate flavor thanks to the addition of cocoa powder.) And of course these bars would also be appropriate at Christmas thanks to the festive color. Then again, I say make these bars whenever you want!
Tips for Swirling Batter
Don’t let the fun swirls in these Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars intimidate you – they are actually very easy! After mixing the red velvet brownie batter, just reserve ~¼ cup of batter. Spread the rest of the batter into the pan. Then spread the cheesecake batter on top. Then drop spoonfuls of that reserved batter randomly on top of the cheesecake. The final step is to use a table knife or a toothpick and drag it in swirls through the spoonfuls of batter. That’s it! Swirled Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars coming right up!
Chill Out!
As noted above, this is an easy recipe to make. The hardest part will be letting the bars cool and chill before slicing. (I prefer serving these Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars cold, although they can be served at room temperature.) One quick tip is to let the pan cool for ~20 minutes and then slide it into the freezer for a few minutes before slicing these bars.
And speaking of slicing cheesecake, dip the knife into hot water and wipe it clean after each cut. It takes a bit of extra time, but it gives you nice, clean cuts. This is especially handy if you’re serving these bars at a party or taking them to a friend’s house.
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover cheesecake bars should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. (Just make sure the bars have cooled completely before putting them away.) These bars also freeze well. Just wrap each square in plastic wrap and freeze them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let the bars thaw in the refrigerator before serving. And since they get wrapped individually, you can pull out just 1-2 at a time!
If you’re looking for a fun Valentine’s Day dessert, then these Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars are definitely a good option! They’re easy, decadent and festive. I hope you enjoy these bars as much as we do around our house. Happy Baking!
Did you make this Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars recipe at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version!
Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake
- 8 oz. cream cheese room temperature
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Red Velvet Bars
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp red food coloring see note
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
For the Cheesecake
- Using a stand mixer or electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sugar, egg yolk and vanilla extract; beat until smooth. Set cheesecake batter aside.
For the Red Velvet Bars
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line an 8”x8” baking pan with parchment paper, allowing 2” of overhang on all sides. Spray parchment with nonstick cooking spray; set pan aside.
- Using a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, red food coloring, vanilla extract and vinegar; stir until well combined.
- Add eggs; stir until well combined.
- Add flour and baking powder; stir until just combined.
- Spread batter into prepared pan, reserving ¼ cup of batter for swirling into the cheesecake.
- Spread the cheesecake mixture (from above) evenly on top.
- Using a spoon, drop dollops of the reserved ¼ cup of batter on top of the cheesecake layer.
- Using a toothpick or a knife, swirl the dollops of batter into the cheesecake layer.
- Bake for 30-32 minutes, or until bars are just set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Let cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Looking for more red velvet recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
I need to try this soon for me and I love chocolate BTW cant wait to make your recipes soon for me
I know you love chocolate – and these are a tasty dessert, Ramya! I hope you enjoy!
How pretty! I do love a cream cheese layer on top. And the colour is a marvellous thing too! Yep waiting is definitely the hardest bit 🙂
I might have gotten a little excited and tried to shortcut the waiting part. I’m impatient like that – haha. Thanks, Sherry!!
These look so pretty and so delicious David. I really need to make them for a fabulous treat.
I’m not sure if Valentine’s Day is popular down there, but these do make for a fun V-Day treat! Of course, they’d make for a fun treat no matter the time of year, too. Thanks, Pauline!
Wow – what stunning bars. And, love that cheesecake swirl – perfect for Vday!
That cheesecake swirl is the fun part, Shashi – and it’s such an easy little twist! Thank you!!
Such a gorgeous and tempting treat, David – these red velvet cheesecake bars look rich, festive, and utterly irresistible!
Cheesecake bars are definitely the best of both worlds! Thanks, Ben!
Your beautifully colored chocolate brownie combined with the cheesecake is so dreamy good! Your trick to drop dollops of brownie mix and then swirl it around to create the pretty effect was so brilliant. It’s a beautiful treat for both the eyes and mouth!
A swirled cheesecake brownie really is a fun dessert – and if that brownie happens to also be a red velvet brownie? Well then count me in! Thanks, Heidi!