Name: Red Velvet Cookie Bars With Orange Cream Cheese Swirl
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 250 g (2 cups) All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for a tender bake.; 30 g (2 Tbsp) Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor.; 1 tsp (5 g) Baking Soda: Leavening agent for a light texture.; ¼ tsp (1 g) Salt: Enhances flavors.; 115 g (½ cup) Unsalted Butter, Softened: Creates a light and fluffy base.; 200 g (1 cup) Granulated Sugar: Sweetness and chewy texture.; 1 Large Egg (≈50 g): Binds ingredients and adds richness.; 1 Egg Yolk (≈18 g): Adds extra richness and chewiness.; 30 ml (2 Tbsp) Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderness.; 15 ml (1 Tbsp) Natural Red Food Coloring: Gives the bars a red hue.; 5 ml (1 tsp) Vanilla Extract: Enhances flavor.; 5 ml (1 tsp) White Vinegar: Reacts with baking soda for fluffiness.; 115 g (½ cup) Cream Cheese, Softened: The base of the swirl.; 30 g (¼ cup) Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the swirl.; 5 ml (1 tsp) Orange Zest: Adds citrus aroma and flavor.; 15 ml (1 Tbsp) Orange Juice: Complements the zest.; 50 g (¼ cup) White Chocolate Chips: For a sweet drizzle.; 5 ml (1 tsp) Vegetable Oil: Helps the chocolate melt smoothly.

Description

These red velvet cookie bars feature a vibrant orange cream cheese swirl, offering a soft, chewy texture and a delightful balance of flavors. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with a subtle tang and refreshing citrus note.

Ingredients

Scale

250 g (2 cups) All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for a tender bake.
30 g (2 Tbsp) Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor.
1 tsp (5 g) Baking Soda: Leavening agent for a light texture.
¼ tsp (1 g) Salt: Enhances flavors.
115 g (½ cup) Unsalted Butter, Softened: Creates a light and fluffy base.
200 g (1 cup) Granulated Sugar: Sweetness and chewy texture.
1 Large Egg (≈50 g): Binds ingredients and adds richness.
1 Egg Yolk (≈18 g): Adds extra richness and chewiness.
30 ml (2 Tbsp) Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderness.
15 ml (1 Tbsp) Natural Red Food Coloring: Gives the bars a red hue.
5 ml (1 tsp) Vanilla Extract: Enhances flavor.
5 ml (1 tsp) White Vinegar: Reacts with baking soda for fluffiness.
115 g (½ cup) Cream Cheese, Softened: The base of the swirl.
30 g (¼ cup) Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the swirl.
5 ml (1 tsp) Orange Zest: Adds citrus aroma and flavor.
15 ml (1 Tbsp) Orange Juice: Complements the zest.
50 g (¼ cup) White Chocolate Chips: For a sweet drizzle.
5 ml (1 tsp) Vegetable Oil: Helps the chocolate melt smoothly.

Instructions

Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13-inch) pan with parchment paper.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Cream Butter & Sugar: Cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and vinegar.
Incorporate Wet & Dry: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until smooth.
Spread Batter: Spread half the batter into the prepared pan.
Make Cream Cheese Swirl: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, orange zest, and orange juice until smooth.
Create Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture over batter, then dollop remaining red velvet batter on top. Swirl gently.
Bake Bars: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until edges are set.
Cool & Drizzle: Cool for 10 minutes, melt white chocolate with oil, and drizzle over bars.
Final Cool & Cut: Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

For a more vibrant red color, consider using artificial food coloring. Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for optimal texture.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: red velvet,cookie bars,cream cheese,orange,baking,dessert,chocolate,swirl