These Red Velvet Brownies are such a divine holiday treat! They’re so amazing in flavour, and the vegan cream cheese frosting on top is the perfect final touch!
Melt chocolate chips in microwave for a minute, stirring after to see if chips have melted. If not, microwave in increments of 30 seconds until completely melted. Alternatively, you can melt in over a small pot of boiling water (Not a lot of water in the pot) and put the chocolate chips it in a heat proof and melt proof bowl over the pot and stir until melted.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour and salt and until combined. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, add the flax eggs, sugar and oil and mix until combined in a mixer or by hand for about 2 minutes. Add the water, Nielsen-Massey Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and natural red food colouring and stir again for 1 minute. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and melted chocolate chips and stir for about 3 minutes until combined.
In a small container, combine the vinegar and the baking soda. It will fizz! Stir quickly, add to the brownie mixture and combine once more.
Pour into a greased, parchment lined, or a greased foil-lined 8x8 square pan. Tap the brownie pan on the counter a few times to release any bubbles.
Bake for 35 minutes.*
When finished, remove from oven and allow to cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Then let brownies chill in the fridge while you make the frosting (if not made already).
Add the frosting to the brownies, then allow to chill in the fridge for at least an hour before slicing through. Slice through with a warm knife, cleaning after slice to prevent red velvet crumbs from getting all over the frosting. Serve and enjoy! These brownies are best stored in the fridge and freeze beautifully!
Cream Cheese Frosting
In the bowl of a mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese together for about 2 minutes until fully incorporated.
Add in the Nielsen-Massey Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and the pinch of salt.
Add in a cup of sifted powdered sugar at a time. Mix for about 3 minutes, before adding in the rest. Add in the powdered sugar a ½ cup at a time until the frosting has reached the desired thickness. The frosting also thickens up really well in the fridge!
Notes
NotesThe first time I made these brownies I baked them at 40 minutes. They came out slightly fudgy, slightly cake-y, which was still an amazing contrast to the richness of the frosting. So if you want more fudgy – 35 minutes is great, if you want slightly cake-y brownies, 40 minutes is for you!If you can’t find vegan cream cheese, you can use cream cheese spread but it won’t hold up out the fridge! It’ll taste delicious though!