Homemade Small Batch Red Velvet Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Easy Loaf Pan Recipe from Scratch

If the rich, velvety texture and distinctive flavor of red velvet cake call to your sweet tooth, then prepare to fall in love with these homemade Red Velvet Sugar Cookie Bars. Crafted from scratch without a single cake mix in sight, these delightful bars offer all the charm of your favorite red velvet dessert in a convenient, small-batch format. Perfectly baked in a loaf pan, they’re topped with a luscious small batch cream cheese frosting, creating an irresistible treat that’s both elegant and effortlessly simple to make.

As a passionate baker and recipe creator, it felt absolutely essential to feature a truly special red velvet recipe as the cooler months turn towards spring, especially with the love-filled air of February. While it’s true that red and pink desserts proliferate during this time, and it might seem like every possible treat has been “red velvet-ified,” I believe I’ve developed a red velvet recipe that perfectly balances indulgence with an appealing touch of convenience – appealing especially to those moments when you crave something homemade but are short on time or energy.

Imagine wanting to decorate beautiful cookies but lacking the patience or desire to meticulously roll out dough and cut intricate shapes, like my more involved Red Velvet Sugar Cookies. That’s precisely why these Red Velvet Bars were born. Baked conveniently in a standard loaf pan, they yield a manageable small batch, ensuring minimal leftovers while still providing enough to share or savor over a few days. Depending on how you slice them, you can enjoy anywhere from 3 to 8 perfectly portioned bars.

Each bar is generously crowned with a silky, tangy small batch cream cheese frosting – the quintessential partner to any red velvet creation. To add a festive touch, I adorned mine with charming Valentine’s Day sprinkles, but feel free to customize them with any sprinkles you love, making these bars suitable for enjoyment throughout the entire year, regardless of the occasion.

It’s a common dilemma for many home bakers, including myself: the holidays pass by, and I often find myself regretting not making more festive treats. Those adorable sprinkles remain untouched, the cute cupcake liners stay in their drawer, and the full spirit of the holiday season feels like it wasn’t quite embraced. There’s always that rush to dive into last-minute recipe ideas just before one holiday gives way to the next. These Red Velvet Sugar Cookie Bars are designed to be that perfect, stress-free solution – a delightful way to celebrate without the overwhelming commitment of a large-scale baking project.

While often associated with Valentine’s Day, these Red Velvet Bars are truly a celebration of love in its broadest sense. Valentine’s Day, in particular, serves as a wonderful reminder to share a small batch of sweetness with anyone who brightens your life – not just romantic partners. Imagine pairing a beautifully packaged box of these bars with some flowers for a loved one, or offering a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to your dedicated mail carrier who braves the elements, or perhaps the crossing guard who stands bundled against freezing temperatures. This holiday, and indeed, every day, is about showing appreciation and spreading kindness to the everyday people who make a difference in your world. And what better way to do so than with a homemade treat? Given that red velvet is traditionally, and deliciously, paired with rich cream cheese frosting, it was only natural to craft a small batch of that iconic topping to complete these decadent bars.

So, what exactly defines the taste of Red Velvet?

Red velvet cake is celebrated for its uniquely nuanced flavor profile. Traditionally, it’s a tender, moist cake with a subtle cocoa flavor, deriving its characteristic tang and rich texture from ingredients like buttermilk and vinegar. The stunning red hue, of course, comes from red food coloring – though historically, the red was a natural chemical reaction between acidic cocoa and baking soda before modern cocoa processing changed things. Unlike a deep, dark chocolate cake, red velvet offers a mellow, slightly mysterious chocolate note that is distinct and utterly captivating.

When adapting this beloved cake flavor into a cookie or bar form, the challenge lies in translating those essential elements. Cookies typically don’t incorporate the same liquid components like buttermilk. Therefore, in this Red Velvet Cookie Bar recipe, the focus is squarely on achieving that gentle cocoa essence and, of course, the vibrant red color. The combination results in a bar that captures the essence of red velvet – a soft, tender crumb with a hint of chocolate, all brought together by the tangy cream cheese frosting.

The Appeal of Small Batch Baking

There’s a growing appreciation for small batch recipes, and for good reason. They are incredibly practical for those living alone, couples, or small families, preventing excessive leftovers and encouraging mindful indulgence. Small batch baking also reduces food waste and makes trying new recipes less intimidating. For special occasions like Valentine’s Day, a small batch of Red Velvet Cookie Bars feels more intimate and personal, making it a perfect gift or a special treat to share without overdoing it. It allows you to enjoy the fresh, homemade goodness without feeling overwhelmed by a massive amount of dessert.

Crafting Your Perfect Red Velvet Cookie Bars

Making these Red Velvet Cookie Bars from scratch is a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. It starts with combining your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, Dutch-processed cocoa powder (for a richer, less acidic cocoa flavor), salt, and baking soda. In a separate bowl, you’ll cream together granulated sugar and softened unsalted butter until light and fluffy – this step is crucial for achieving a tender bar texture. Next, an egg, vanilla extract, and the all-important red food coloring are beaten in, transforming the mixture into that iconic crimson hue. Finally, the dry ingredients are gradually incorporated into the wet, forming a soft, slightly sticky dough. Spread this evenly into your parchment-lined loaf pan, bake until just set, and then comes the waiting game – allowing the bars to cool completely before generously slathering them with that irresistible cream cheese frosting. The simplicity of this process makes it approachable for bakers of all skill levels, promising a delicious outcome every time.

Tips for Success and Variations

• Don’t Overmix: When incorporating the flour mixture, mix just until a dough forms. Overmixing can lead to tough bars.
• Cool Completely: It’s tempting to frost warm bars, but patience is key! Ensure the bars are completely cool before applying the cream cheese frosting to prevent it from melting.
• Quality Red Food Coloring: For the most vibrant red, use a good quality gel food coloring. Liquid food coloring might require a larger amount to achieve the same intensity, potentially altering the dough consistency slightly.
• Storage: Store frosted Red Velvet Cookie Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days due to the cream cheese frosting. Allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
• Beyond Sprinkles: While sprinkles add a festive touch, consider other garnishes. A dusting of cocoa powder, a swirl of melted white chocolate, or even finely chopped pecans could elevate these bars beautifully.
• Seasonal Adaptability: While perfect for Valentine’s Day, these red velvet treats can be made year-round. Omit the specific holiday sprinkles and enjoy them as a delightful everyday dessert or for any celebration.

More Red Velvet Recipes to Explore

• Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake
• Small Batch Red Velvet Cupcakes

More Delicious Cookie Bar Recipes You’ll Love

If you’ve enjoyed the simplicity and deliciousness of these Red Velvet Cookie Bars, you’ll be thrilled to discover my other fantastic cookie bar recipes, perfect for any craving or occasion:

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
• Gingerbread Cookie Bars
• Coconut Lime Meltaway Cookie Bars
• Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookie Bars
• S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Red Velvet Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield:
8 squares

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
35 minutes

Indulge in these delightful homemade Small Batch Red Velvet Sugar Cookie Bars. Made completely from scratch, these easy-to-make bars feature a rich, subtle cocoa flavor and are perfectly complemented by a tangy, luscious small batch cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of your favorite decorations. Ideal for sharing or a personal treat, baked right in a loaf pan.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweet­ened Dutch processed cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
• 1 recipe Small Batch Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5 inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened Dutch processed cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
3. In a separate large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the granulated sugar and softened unsalted butter until the mixture is light and creamy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to the butter mixture. Beat until thoroughly combined and smooth, about 1 minute, ensuring the color is evenly distributed.
5. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as the ingredients are just combined.
6. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared loaf pan using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. The dough will be slightly sticky. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to frost them. Once cool, prepare your Small Batch Cream Cheese Frosting. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled red velvet bars, then cut into squares and enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

I’d love to hear from you! Rate the recipe above, share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to post a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes. Your culinary creations inspire us all!