Red Velvet Brownies

I saw this recipe in the December issue of Southern Living and knew I had to try it.  I had never heard of red velvet brownies - red velvet cake but not red velvet brownies.  I was intrigued.

I took last Friday off and had a chance to give these a try.  OMG!  These are unbelievable!!  This is my new favorite Christmas treat.  I've made it so many times this holiday season that I have the recipe memorized!  These are super easy to make (maybe too easy), and I love that it only uses one bowl!  (less cleanup for Chicken Legs)

This is the kind of dessert that calls to me in the middle of the night.  I had to get up last weekend and eat one for breakfast.  I gave these away to friends and co-workers instead of a pound cake this year.  These will be a new holiday tradition in our house.

Red Velvet Brownies
Southern Living
(Printable Recipe)

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1 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 (1-oz.) bottle red liquid food coloring
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.

Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Whisk in sugar. Add eggs, 1 at a time, whisking just until blended after each addition. Gently stir in flour and next 4 ingredients. Pour mixture into prepared pan.

Bake at 350° for 44 to 48 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 2 hours).

Lift brownies from pan, using foil sides as handles; gently remove foil. Spread Small-Batch Cream Cheese Frosting on top of brownies, and cut into 16 squares. Garnish, if desired.

Small-Batch Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
3 Tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, beating until blended. Stir in vanilla.