Ooey Gooey Red Velvet Butter Bars

By jodieg

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 Tbsp natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 Tbsp buttermilk
• 1 Tbsp red liquid food coloring
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus extra for dusting

Details

Servings 16
Cooking time 50mins
Adapted from communitytable.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl to combine. Add 1 egg, ½ cup of the melted butter, the buttermilk, and the red food coloring. Mix to form a dough. Press into the bottom of the baking dish.

Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the remaining 2 eggs, the vanilla, and the remaining ½ cup melted butter. Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until the mixture is creamy. Pour over the crust.

Bake for about 40 minutes, being careful not to overbake. The center should still be a little bit gooey. Cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, then cut into 16 bars. Store in the refrigerator.