If you are craving a dessert that perfectly blends rich chocolatey flavor with a vibrant touch of red, look no further than this delightful Red Velvet Cookie Bars with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These cookie bars are the ultimate crowd-pleaser—moist and tender with an irresistible cream cheese frosting on top, plus the sweet surprise of white chocolate chips in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a festive occasion or simply treating yourself, this recipe offers a spectacular combination of flavors and textures that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in creating that signature red velvet charm: from the creamy butter to the rich cocoa powder, every element comes together to give these cookie bars their perfect texture, stunning color, and delightful taste.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie bars, providing structure without heaviness.
- Cocoa powder: Adds just a hint of chocolate flavor to deepen the red velvet profile.
- Baking soda: Helps the bars rise and stay tender.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Brings richness and moisture essential for soft, chewy bars.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps with the cookie bars’ light texture.
- Brown sugar, packed: Adds a subtle caramel undertone and chewiness.
- Large eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to a soft crumb.
- Red food coloring: Gives these bars their iconic red hue that’s so festive and fun.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out flavors with a warm, sweet note.
- White chocolate chips: Provide pockets of creamy sweetness throughout every bite.
- Cream cheese frosting: The pièce de résistance, adding luxuriously tangy and sweet frosting that pairs beautifully with the cookie bars.
How to Make Red Velvet Cookie Bars with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it to ensure your cookie bars come out perfectly without sticking.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix forms the backbone of your bars, ensuring even distribution of flavors and proper texture.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until creamy and smooth—this step is key to achieving that soft, chewy texture we love.
Step 4: Add Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to lock in the structure of your batter.
Step 5: Incorporate Color and Flavor
Stir in the red food coloring and vanilla extract until the batter has a rich and even red tone that’ll make these bars stand out on any dessert table.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients at low speed, stopping as soon as everything is just combined. This prevents overmixing, which can toughen the bars.
Step 7: Fold in White Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in white chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly spread for delightful bursts of sweetness in every bite.
Step 8: Bake the Batter
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth it out with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The aroma while baking is simply heavenly!
Step 9: Cool and Frost
Let the bars cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack until completely cool. Once cooled, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the top for that creamy, tangy finish that perfectly balances the sweet bars.
How to Serve Red Velvet Cookie Bars with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few white chocolate chips or even some festive red and white sprinkles on top of the frosting for an extra special touch. A light dusting of cocoa powder can add a subtle contrast too.
Side Dishes
These cookie bars pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk for classic comfort. For a grown-up twist, serve alongside a cup of rich coffee or even a glass of dessert wine like a ruby port.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your Red Velvet Cookie Bars with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe into bite-sized squares for a party platter or layer them in a dessert trifle with whipped cream and fresh berries. You can also wrap individual bars as charming gifts for friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh and creamy.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted cookie bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and frost fresh before serving.
Reheating
If you enjoy your bars a bit warm, gently heat individual bars in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This melts the white chocolate chips slightly and softens the cream cheese frosting for a luscious texture.
FAQs
Can I make these cookie bars without cream cheese frosting?
Absolutely! While the cream cheese frosting adds a wonderful tangy sweetness, these bars are delicious on their own or with a simple dusting of powdered sugar if you prefer less sweetness.
Is there a substitute for red food coloring?
You can use natural alternatives like beet juice or powdered beetroot if you want to avoid artificial coloring, but the classic vibrant red color might be a bit muted.
Can I use chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips?
Yes, chocolate chips work well too. They add a deeper chocolate flavor, but it will shift the balance of flavors away from the traditional red velvet-white chocolate combo.
How do I make homemade cream cheese frosting?
Combine softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy—adjust sweetness to taste!
Are these bars gluten-free?
The recipe calls for all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free as is, but you can experiment with a gluten-free flour blend to make them suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try these Red Velvet Cookie Bars with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, they will become a favorite way to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your friends. They’re fun to bake, stunning to look at, and utterly delicious—perfect for any occasion when you want something special with a personal touch. So grab your ingredients and get ready to bake a batch of happiness!
Print
Red Velvet Cookie Bars with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 20m
- Cook Time: 0h 30m
- Total Time: 0h 50m
- Yield: 12-16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully rich and colorful Red Velvet Cookie Bars featuring a tender, cocoa-infused base studded with creamy white chocolate chips and topped with smooth cream cheese frosting. Perfect for festive occasions or a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins and Topping
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting, for topping (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition to ensure an even texture.
- Add Color and Flavor: Stir in the red food coloring and vanilla extract until the batter is uniformly colored and fragrant.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the white chocolate chips into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
- Spread Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula for uniform thickness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool in Pan: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the bars to a wire rack to cool completely, preparing them for frosting.
- Add Frosting and Serve: Once fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Cut into squares or bars and serve.
Notes
- If you prefer, you can make homemade cream cheese frosting using cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter after adding dry ingredients to keep the bars tender.
- Use parchment paper to easily lift the bars out of the pan for cutting.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Room temperature cream cheese frosting spreads best on cooled bars to prevent melting.
