Best Crispy Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Red Velvet Cookie Bars are the perfect fall dessert that’s crispy on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside, and better than takeout. After making these many times, I discovered the trick to perfect red velvet cookie bars is to not overbake them. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Cheesecake-Filled Strawberry Waffles and Creamy Garlic Sauce Baby Potatoes That Wow Every Dinner Table.
Why This Best Crispy Red Velvet Cookie Bars Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy edges with a soft, gooey center
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for fall and holiday gatherings
What You'll Need for Best Crispy Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Red food coloring
- White chocolate chips
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Optional: Sprinkles
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Red food coloring: Use gel food coloring for a deeper red color.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer — Makes mixing batter a breeze → See on Amazon
- Silicone Baking Mats — Prevents sticking and easy cleanup → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Crispy Red Velvet Cookie Bars
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 3: Add butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until well combined.
- Step 4: Fold in white chocolate chips.
- Step 5: Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 6: While bars are baking, prepare cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 7: Once bars are completely cool, spread frosting evenly on top. Cut into bars and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Crispy Red Velvet Cookie Bars
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overbaking to prevent dry, crumbly bars. Check for doneness at the 20-minute mark.
- Pro tip: For even baking, use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate temperature.
- Pro tip: For a cleaner cut, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean with a damp cloth between cuts.
Storing & Reheating Best Crispy Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Bars can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and frost before serving.
Freezing Best Crispy Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or until warmed through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a deeper red color, use gel food coloring.
- Best substitution: Substitute white chocolate chips with semisweet chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
- Make-ahead: Bars can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and frost before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be halved and baked in an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Troubleshooting: If bars are too dry, add a tablespoon of milk to the batter. If they're too gooey, increase baking time by 2-3 minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Best Crispy Red Velvet Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Red food coloring
- White chocolate chips
Seasonings
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 3: Add butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until well combined.
- Step 4: Fold in white chocolate chips.
- Step 5: Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 6: While bars are baking, prepare cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 7: Once bars are completely cool, spread frosting evenly on top. Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a deeper red color, use gel food coloring.
- Best substitution: Substitute white chocolate chips with semisweet chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
- Make-ahead: Bars can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and frost before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be halved and baked in an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Troubleshooting: If bars are too dry, add a tablespoon of milk to the batter. If they're too gooey, increase baking time by 2-3 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or until warmed through.
- Make ahead: Bars can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and frost before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Crispy Red Velvet Cookie Bars FAQs
Yes, bars can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and frost before serving.
Avoid overbaking to prevent dry, crumbly bars. Check for doneness at the 20-minute mark.
Yes, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
No, this recipe is not suitable for the air fryer.
Semisweet chocolate chips can be used as a substitute for a richer flavor.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Crispy Red Velvet Cookie Bars and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
