Valentine’s Day is all about love, indulgence, and sharing sweet moments with those who matter most. This year, why not go the extra mile to impress your loved ones with a treat that’s as vibrant as your feelings? Enter the stunning Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cookie Bars! These delectable bars are soft, chewy, and bursting with that signature red velvet flavor we all adore. Topped with creamy, dreamy cream cheese frosting, they’re the perfect way to celebrate love, friendship, or simply a sweet treat for yourself.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cookie Bars

Recently, I made these cookie bars for a gathering, and they were an instant hit. Watching faces light up as they took a bite was a joy in itself! The rich cocoa flavor paired with the beautiful red color really sets the mood for any festive occasion. Plus, they’re easy to make and promise generous servings—about 15, to be exact—making them a fantastic choice for sharing. You’ll find the rich taste and beautiful appearance will leave everyone asking for seconds (and the recipe!).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just 45 minutes of prep followed by 130 minutes of baking, you’ll have delicious bars ready to impress in no time.
Irresistible Flavor: Imagine biting into a soft, buttery cookie that melts in your mouth with hints of chocolate and a creamy frosting topping.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The deep red color and luscious cream cheese frosting create a stunning dessert that’s bound to turn heads.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for Valentine’s Day, parties, or anytime you crave something sweet—these bars fit any occasion!
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adapted for gluten-free diets by substituting with a gluten-free flour blend.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: Forms the main structure of your bars. For a gluten-free option, you can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
3 tablespoons cocoa powder: Adds that rich chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa works great if you prefer a deeper taste.
1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Aids in rising—make sure it’s fresh for the best texture.
1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Works with the vinegar to make the cookie bars light and fluffy.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors, balancing the sweetness.
1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Creates a rich and tender cookie base. If you’re in a pinch, you can use margarine.
3/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens without overwhelming. Adjust the sugar slightly for a less sweet bar if desired.
1/2 cup brown sugar, light or dark: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together.
1 large egg yolk, in addition to the full egg: Enriches the flavor and chewiness of the bars.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract: A must for an added layer of flavor.
1 tablespoon red food coloring: Gives the bars that signature deep red color. Feel free to adjust the amount for a lighter hue.
1/2 teaspoon vinegar: Reacts with the baking soda to add fluffiness.
8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, brick style: The star ingredient for our frosting—always choose brick-style for the best consistency.
2 1/2 – 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese frosting. Sifting it helps eliminate lumps for a silky smooth finish.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a touch to balance the sweetness in the frosting.
1-2 tablespoons cream: Used if your frosting needs a little lightening up for spreadability.

Preheat: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) pan or line it with parchment paper, allowing the edges to hang over for easy removal later.

Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well combined.

Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup brown sugar until creamy and fluffy. Take your time with this step, as it creates a light texture.

Mix in Egg Mixture: Beat in 1 large egg, plus an additional large egg yolk, along with 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon liquid or gel red food coloring, and 1/2 teaspoon vinegar. Mix until combined and you no longer see lumps of butter in the mixture.

Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed initially to avoid any flour clouds. Mix until no lumps or streaks of dry ingredients remain—you’re aiming for a smooth dough.

Press Dough Into Pan: Spoon the cookie dough into your prepared pan, pressing it down into an even layer. If the dough feels sticky, use a piece of wax paper between your hands and the mixture to prevent sticking.

Bake: Place the pan in the center of your preheated oven and bake for around 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the top looks set and edges start to pull away from the sides, making for perfectly chewy cookie bars.

Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool fully in the pan before frosting them—this is crucial for a clean slice later on!

Prepare Frosting: In a large bowl, beat together 1/2 cup softened butter and 8 ounces of brick-style cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. This step is key for a luscious frosting.

Add Sugar and Flavorings: Sift in 2 cups of powdered sugar, then mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Start on low speed to prevent cloudiness.

Adjust Consistency: Gradually add more powdered sugar, up to 3 1/2 cups, until you achieve your desired sweetness and thickness. If the frosting seems too thick, mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons of cream for that light, spreadable texture.

Frost Bars: If you used parchment paper, lift the cooled bars out of the pan using the edges and place them onto a cutting board. If not, leave them in the pan. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars, adding sprinkles if you like for extra flair.

Slice: Using a sharp, thin knife, slice the bars nice and evenly for serving, revealing their rich red interior and creamy frosting.

Storing & Reheating

Store your Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cookie Bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to four days. For longer storage, refrigerate, where they will keep fresh for up to a week. If you want to freeze them, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. To enjoy them later, thaw at room temperature or heat them briefly in the microwave—just enough to soften, not cook.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid overmixing your cookie dough, or the bars may turn out tough. Mix just until combined!
Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming—this helps achieve that light texture.
For the richest flavor, use full-fat cream cheese, as low-fat varieties may affect the frosting consistency.
If storing them, remember that refrigeration can slightly change the texture, but a gentle warm-up in the microwave will refresh them beautifully.
Feel free to get creative with toppings—chocolate shavings or crushed nuts make great additions.

These cookie bars are truly a treat, blending all the flavors of love into one gorgeous dessert. Whether it’s a cozy night in or a gathering with friends, these Red Velvet Cookie Bars will make the occasion deliciously memorable. So grab those ingredients, fire up your oven, and get ready to savor every delightful bite!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these cookie bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie bars and frost them a day in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to soften slightly.

How can I adjust the sweetness of the frosting?

If your frosting turns out too sweet for your liking, you can add a pinch of salt or a little more cream to help balance the flavor. A splash of lemon juice also adds a nice touch if you enjoy a tangy flavor!

What if I can’t find red food coloring?

If red food coloring is hard to come by, you can use beet juice as a natural alternative for a similar color, but keep in mind this might subtly change the flavor of your cookie bars.

How do I know when the cookie bars are done baking?

The cookie bars are ready when the edges start pulling away from the pan, and the center looks set rather than glossy. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.

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Author: Dorothy
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 130 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
Yield: 15 servings 1x
Category: Desserts
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

These Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cookie Bars are a delightful treat that brings joy with their rich flavor and creamy frosting. Perfect for celebrations or casual gatherings, they’re easy to make, and sure to impress all chocolate lovers!

Ingredients

Scale

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, light or dark
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring, liquid or gel
1/2 teaspoon vinegar, distilled or white vinegar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened but not starting to melt
8 ounces full-fat cream cheese
2 1/2 – 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sift if lumpy
1/4 teaspoon salt
1–2 tablespoons cream

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) pan or line it with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar to the butter mixture, and mix until well blended.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing at low speed until fully combined.
Spoon the dough into the prepared pan and press into an even layer, using wax paper if necessary to prevent sticking.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is set and edges pull away from the pan.
Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.

Notes

Make sure to use brick-style cream cheese for the frosting for the best texture.
You can adjust the amount of red food coloring for the desired intensity of color in your cookie bars.
Allow the bars to be completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.