Today’s my mom’s birthday.
With this special day falling at the beginning of the Christmas season, it always feels appropriate to bake something holiday-ish. I’ve turned to red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting in the past, as it always makes for a beautiful presentation. And we’re definitely a chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting kind of family!
So this year I made a riff on that famous cake, coming up with some rich brownies that capture all those delicious flavors. Then, because I wanted to offer smaller portions for holiday party platters, I cut these super dense and delicious red velvet brownies into bite-size pieces. Well, bite-size to my husband. More like two bites for me!
The finishing touch is a sprinkling of edible sparkle glitter, adding a little something special for this wonderful time of the year. Kinda like after a fresh snow fall, when the world is blanketed in white, shimmering in diamond dust.
I think these Sparkly Red Velvet Brownie Bites will make the perfect addition to my sweets platter for upcoming holiday parties. And I know Mom is gonna love them when we celebrate her birthday this upcoming weekend!
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Want to know what Mom & I have been up to lately?
We’ve been playing Wordfeud!
If you don’t know about this free app, it’s a word game very similar to Scrabble. It allows us to compete against eachother on our iPhones, connecting us on a daily basis with over two hundred miles between us!
Mom is directly responsible for my love of word games. Scrabble, Wheel of Fortune, Bananagrams, crossword puzzles – you name it, we’re there. When visiting eachother’s homes, our nights are usually closed down with a crossword puzzle from the day’s paper. So when she suggested we start up Wordfeud, a game she had already been playing with my word wiz of a brother-in-law Scott, I didn’t hesitate.
It’s been so much fun. Even though we aren’t having a conversation every day, it still feels like there’s a daily connectedness.
Do you have a favorite game app that you play with someone special?
I’d love to hear about it!
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. unsalted butter, diced
- 3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1-1/2 c. sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 oz. liquid red food coloring
- 1 c. flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 T. unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1-1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar
- white sparkles edible glitter, optional
Preparation
Preheat oven to 325°. Fold a 16'' long piece of foil to a 9'' x 16'' strip and place in 9'' x 9'' metal baking pan, leaving overhang on 2 sides. Repeat with another sheet of foil the same size in the opposite direction, lining pan completely. Spray foil with nonstick spray.
Stir butter and chocolate in heavy large saucepan over very low heat until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat. Whisk in sugar, then eggs, 1 at a time. Stir in vanilla, salt, and food coloring. Sift flour and baking powder over mixture and stir to blend well. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
Bake brownies until puffed and dry-looking and tester inserted into center comes out with some moist batter attached, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely in pan on rack.
Prepare the frosting by first beating together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and mix a bit to incorporate. Then add the sifted powdered sugar and beat to combine.
Using the foil as an aid, lift brownies from pan and place on cutting board. Peel foil down away from the sides of brownies. Spread cream cheese frosting evenly over brownies. Sprinkle with edible glitter, if desired. Cut into bites 1-1/4'' x 1-1/4''. To achieve clean cuts, wipe the knife after each slice.
Source
Inspired by a red velvet brownie I had while visiting my parents. Brownie base heavily adapted from these spectacular Cappuccino Brownies from Bon Appetit.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
I’m linking up with:
- Cheryl at TidyMom for I’m Lovin’ It (Homemade Gifts in a Jar)
- Allison at Alli ‘n Son for Sweet Tooth Friday (Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer)
- Robyn at Add a Pinch for Mingle Monday (7 Christmas Wreath Tutorials)
Can’t wait to try your version of these brownies. Your blog was delightful, dear daughter.
Happy Birthday, Mom! xoxo
Gorgeous!!! And what a neat way to stay connected to your mom… I dont have a phone that has aps (it literally dials phone numbers and thats it) but will have to try that ap out one day!
Amanda recently posted..Comment on KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway! by Alexandra Owens
Thanks, Amanda! {miss you!}
So pretty! Great Job on them!
Angie @ Bigbearswife recently posted..Cannoli Dip
Thank you, Angie.
These brownies are so very pretty. Your Mom is going to enjoy these when you see her this weekend. Happy Birthday to her and all the best for a wonderful year.
Thanks, Paula. I know she’s going to love them!
Aww, the little brownies look so cute, not to mention delicious! I love the last picture with the single candle. It just makes me want to squeeze the brownie because of it’s cuteness… but then I could get red brownie and cream cheese all over me, which might not be a bad thing
Thank you, Becca. That one with the candle – that will be exactly how Mom gets hers this weekend.
Happy Birthday to your mom! These brownies are the perfect way to celebrate!
Maria recently posted..Apple Coffee Crumb Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze
I’ll tell my mom to come read her birthday greetings.
Thanks, Maria!
Happy Birthday to your mom, and that’s so cute that she even comments
Gorgeous brownies too!
Mom’s one of my biggest fans/supporters.
I’ll pass along the birthday greetings. Thanks, Julia!
I love this! It’s two of my favorite treats: Red Velvet and brownies! How could you go wrong?! I love how you finish it with sugar crystals on top. The red and the snowy look of the sugar crystals are perfect for the holidays! I pinned your recipe for safe keeping.
I co-host a foodie meme called Friday Food Fight. I would love for you to link up and share your brownie recipe. Hope to see you in the ring!
http://deniseisrundmt.com/2011/12/02/pumpkin-biscotti/
Run DMT recently posted..Pumpkin Biscotti
So nice to meet you – thank you!!
These are beautiful! Happy Birthday to your Mom! I’d love for you to join my linky sometime, Crazy Sweet Tuesday, the link runs through Friday.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Whatever Friday {My Past Holiday Treats}
So nice to meet you, Dorothy! And thank you very much – I will pass your birthday greetings along to Mom!
Oh goodness, these looks amazing! Love bite size desserts.
Thank you, Lisa!
These look lovely! What a nice birthday treat!
I love reading through RV recipes to see how everyone’s personal spin on an old fav. Love the bittersweet chocolate!
Hello, dear Chris! I imagine you’ve seen it all down there, huh?!
Wonderful to hear from you – thank you!!!
These look amazing! Red Velvet cupcakes are my favourite naughty treat, I’ll be baking some for my christmas party this weekend!
Harriet recently posted..Nokia Lumia 800
Thanks, Harriet! Hope your Christmas party is fabulous – enjoy that red velvet!!
Saw this on Tidy Mom’s post today! These look delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Can’t wait to make them
Heather @ House of Woyaks recently posted..Menu Plan
Hello Heather – so nice to meet you! Hope you like these!
I just happened upon your blog and had to leave you a comment. Love the red velvet brownies…your mom will love them. I’m glad I found your blog while I was browsing. Looking forward to visiting again.
So nice to hear from you, Kathy – thanks!
These brownies look ridiculously delicious and sooooooooo dangerous. Beautiful photos too!
Thank you, Geni!
Happy Belated Birthday to your mom! My husband has been playing words with friends lately on his phone but he beats me every time!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots | A Holiday Brunch Party
It’s not whether you win or lose…(right?!)
Great to hear from you, Sylivie!
That look sooooo goooood….Found you at tidy mom
Thank you, Deana – and thanks for visiting!!
I am planning to make these for an ornament I am hosting tomorrow night. Do you think I can make and frost them today and they will keep well for tomorrow in the fridge? By the way, I am new to your blog and I always look forward to reading about what you’re creating.
Most definitely, Dixie. Just keep them in an airtight container in the fridge until tomorrow. So nice to meet you – thanks for reading!!
They turned out perfectly. So pretty and festive for Christmas. The glitter adds the perfect touch, too!! Thanks for a great recipe.
Yay! Thanks for taking the time to let me know!!
Just made the brownies for my husbands coworkers. Had to take a nibble. Don’t know what it is about red velvet but the brownies are fabulous!
I made your brownies and they were PERFECT. I shared it on my blog today.
http://deniseisrundmt.com/2011/12/16/frostbitten-red-velvet-brownie-bites/
Run DMT recently posted..Frostbitten Red Velvet Brownie Bites
I made these for New Year’s! I heard that red velvet cake was good luck… Not sure where I heard it, but hey… It can’t hurt!
They were super easy to make and turned out beautifully!
Thanks for letting me know, Tammy. I’ve never heard that before, but it sounds great to me!! So glad you liked them.
Those look even better than red velvet cupcakes! Way more original to serve in little squares. You can actually see the red part that is usually covered by a cupcake wrapper.
sarah recently posted..Cuisine de Bar by Poilane
Yay! Don’t know what it is about red velvet but the brownies are fabulous!
Deborah Pena recently posted..Many Mops
i made these last night for friends, and they were such a big hit. the sparkles are too fun! thanks.
That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to come back and let me know.
Included these in a Valentine’s Day roundup tonight! Beautiful photos!
Amanda
http://www.amandajanebrown.com/2013/01/valentines-decorations-and-food-ideas.html
Thank you, Amanda.
Your recipe is amazing and the brownies are to die for!
Was wondering if you could also make mini cupcakes using this recipe, in a mini muffin pan? How long would the bake time be, and would you need to modify the ratio of the ingredients?