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Red Velvet Cookie Bars

Red Velvet Cookie Bars
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These Red Velvet Cookie Bars combine the softness and chewiness of cookies with the rich, chocolaty flavor and vibrant color of classic red velvet. Perfect for a cozy snack or impressive dessert, this easy-to-follow recipe yields tender, fudgy bars with a unique tang from buttermilk and a striking red hue. Ready in under an hour, these bars make an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons red food coloring
  • ½ cup buttermilk

Optional Ingredients

  • ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (for nutty variation)
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips
  • Cream cheese for frosting or layering

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it well to ensure easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and cocoa for consistent flavor.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy, incorporating air to create tender bars.
  4. Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Food Coloring: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and red food coloring, transforming the batter to a vibrant red.
  5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry. Mix gently until just combined to maintain batter tenderness.
  6. Spread and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer about one inch thick. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until edges are set but the center remains slightly soft for a fudgy texture.
  7. Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, helping them firm up and making slicing into squares or rectangles clean and easy.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and texture.
  • Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense or tough bars.
  • Start checking for doneness at 25 minutes using a toothpick; slight softness in the center is desired.
  • Lining the pan with parchment paper simplifies removal and cleanup.
  • Gel or paste food coloring works best for vibrant color without altering consistency.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil and eggs with flaxseed or chia eggs.
  • To make gluten-free bars, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet, cookie bars, soft cookies, chewy bars, chocolate dessert, easy baking, gluten-free option, cream cheese frosting

Find it online: https://withnora.com/red-velvet-cookie-bars/