Make colorful and swirly brownies with minutes of prep using this shortcut recipe!

Red velvet cake mix with a sweetened cream cheese swirl are baked together for an eye-catching and unforgettable dessert!

This red treat is great for Valentine’s Day, or anytime!

stack of Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Holly’s Recipe Highlights

  • Flavor: Enjoy the irresistible taste of cheesecake and brownies combined in one delicious bar. 
  • Swaps: Swap vanilla extract for almond extract or use a chocolate cake mix for a twist!
  • Serving suggestions: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
  • Freezing: These brownies freeze well! Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temp before serving.
ingredients to make Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies with labels

What’s in Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies?

Cake Mix: Red velvet cake gives these brownies their dramatic look. Experiment with other flavors, like apple spice cake, chocolate fudge, or a confetti cake. Just add red food coloring for a devilish touch.

Cream Cheese: Cream cheese blended with sugar and eggs creates a mock cheesecake. For this recipe, be sure to use a brick of cream cheees and not the spreadable kind.

Variations

  • For a fun topping, top the cheesecake layer with crushed Oreo cookies, ‘Nilla Wafers, sliced strawberries, or fresh blueberries (for a fun 4th of July treat).
  • Change up the flavor but adding extracts like orange (top with orange zest) almond (top with slivered almonds), coconut (top with toasted coconut), or banana (top with sliced bananas) to the cream cheese mixture.
  • Fold mini dark or white chocolate chips into the red velvet brownie base for a fun add-in.
  • Sprinkle the top with cocoa powder, or drizzle with easy caramel sauce or melted chocolate for an extra layer of richness
Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies in the pan

How to Make Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

  1. Prepare cake mix and spread into a prepared baking pan.
  2. Make the cheesecake batter (full recipe below).
  3. Swirl dollops of cheesecake mixture on top of the red velvet brownie batter and bake.

Cool completely before cutting.

Tips for The Perfect Brownies

  • Room-temperature cream cheese and the egg will make it easier to whisk together.
  • Line the pan with parchment paper with extra opposite sides for easy removal and even easier cleanup!
  • The sweetened cream cheese can be made up to a day ahead and warmed in the microwave for about 30 seconds before using in Step 5.
sliced Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Save It for Later?

Keep leftover red velvet brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days so they stay moist.

Freeze portions by wrapping them in plastic and transferring them to a zippered bag. Pop one or two in a backpack or briefcase and they’ll be thawed just in time for a sweet treat!

More Sweet Treats

 Did you make these Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies? Leave a comment and comment below! 

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
a stack of Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies with a bite taken out of one
5 from 15 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Red Velvet Brownies

This easy recipe combines two of the best desserts in one indulgent treat.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 16 servings

Equipment

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Ingredients  

  • 1 box red velvet cake mix 432 g/15.25 ounce box
  • cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 egg

Cream Cheese Mixture

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper.
  • Combine cake mix, oil, milk, and egg together and mix until fully incorporated.
  • Spread into prepared pan.
  • Beat cream cheese and sugar with a hand mixer until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix until incorporated.
  • Drop large spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture onto the batter. Gently swirl the two mixtures together using a knife.
  • Bake for 30-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before cutting.

Notes

Store brownies in a covered container at room temperature or in the fridge.
Freeze bars in zippered bags for up to 4 weeks. 
5 from 15 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 202 | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 133IU | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Cake, Dessert, Party Food
Cuisine American
fudgy Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies cut into slices with writing
close up of sliced Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies with a title
close up of Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies with writing
sliced Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies and brownies in a pile with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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5 from 15 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Hey this was such a fun easy recipe ! I think it would turn out better if you press that red velvet mixture into the pan and not spoon but just pour the mix over the top and spread it out evenly then swirl. Next time should be perfect5 stars