Description

Vampire Bite Red Velvet Brownies combine the rich, chocolatey goodness of classic brownies with a vibrant red velvet twist and a creamy cheesecake swirl. Perfect for spooky occasions or whenever you crave a decadent dessert, this recipe yields moist, tender brownies with bursts of dark chocolate chips and a luscious cream cheese frosting infused with vanilla, topped with a drizzle of dark chocolate ganache for a dramatic bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Batter

1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, melted
2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring
2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (175 g) dark chocolate chips

Cream Cheese Swirl

8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)

Chocolate Ganache Topping

1/2 cup (90 g) dark chocolate chips
2 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well combined.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, stir melted butter with 2 cups granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon red food coloring until fully incorporated.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep brownies tender. Fold in 1 cup dark chocolate chips evenly into the batter.
Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter.
Cool the Brownies: Remove from oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before proceeding to frosting.
Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter until smooth. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating until creamy. Add 1-2 tablespoons milk as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.
Frost the Brownies: Spread the prepared cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled brownies with a spatula.
Make Chocolate Ganache: Heat 2 tablespoons heavy cream until steaming but not boiling. Pour over 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips and let sit for 2-3 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
Drizzle Ganache: Drizzle the chocolate ganache over the frosted brownies for a striking finishing touch.
Serve: Allow ganache to set slightly before slicing brownies into squares and serving.

Notes

Ensure the brownies are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting the cream cheese frosting.
The red food coloring gives the brownies a vibrant red velvet tint; adjust the amount for your preferred color intensity.
Use full-fat cream cheese and butter for the best frosting texture and flavor.
If the ganache is too thick, warm the heavy cream gently again to thin it out.
Store brownies covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
For a more dramatic vampire bite effect, consider using a piping bag for the cream cheese swirl before adding the ganache drizzle.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: vampire bite brownies, red velvet brownies, cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache, Halloween dessert, spooky brownies