Brownies are always a crowd pleaser. There are so many different options for flavors and styles of brownies, and you can mix some of your favorite toppings into them, too! You can make anything from my classic Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Brownies to rich Banana Pudding Brownies to these super yummy Red Velvet Brownies. They are topped with decadent cream cheese frosting to really take them over the top.
For this recipe, I combined my two favorite sweet treats, brownies and red velvet cake into the most delicious gluten free brownie recipe ever! The best part, it takes minimal dishes, just a few ingredients, and they come together so quickly! Try this twist on the classic brownie, and I guarantee you won't regret it!
Jump to:
- What are the Ingredients for Gluten Free Red Velvet Brownies?
- How do I make Gluten Free Red Velvet Brownies ?
- Recipe Substitutions
- Ways to Serve Gluten Free Red Velvet Brownies
- Tips for Perfecting This Recipe
- Storage, Freezing and Shelf Life of Red Velvet Brownies
- Hungry for More?
- Gluten Free Red Velvet Brownies
What are the Ingredients for Gluten Free Red Velvet Brownies?
- Dark chocolate chips - I like the flavor and texture that using dark chocolate chips provides to these rich brownies.
- Unsalted butter - always use unsalted butter when baking. That way you can control the flavor as well as the reaction of salt to other ingredients.
- Granulated sugar and light brown sugar- I like the combination of granulated and light brown sugar in this recipe. The light brown sugar adds richness.
- Eggs - eggs act as a binder for the brownies.
- White vinegar - the vinegar in this recipe is more for flavor than anything. It gives these brownies the classic red velvet flavor.
- Vanilla extract - this adds flavor to the red velvet brownies, but if you find yourself without any, you can omit it!
- Red food coloring - of course red food coloring gives these gluten free brownies their name!
- Gluten free all-purpose flour - I have a favorite brand of gluten free all-purpose flour, but feel free to select your own.
- Cocoa powder - I prefer to use dark cocoa powder, because it adds a rich flavor, but regular cocoa powder works as well.
- Kosher salt - you have to have a little salt to balance out the sweet!
- Cream cheese - cream cheese is a classic flavor with red velvet. I always use full fat cream cheese in my recipes.
- Unsalted butter I always use unsalted butter to control the flavor.
- Powdered sugar - powdered sugar is used in cream cheese frosting because it is not being heated, so it will dissolve.
- Vanilla extract - this is a must for extra yummy flavor!
- Coarse Kosher salt - salt balances the sweetness of the powdered sugar in this recipe.
How do I make Gluten Free Red Velvet Brownies ?
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 11x7-inch metal baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang so you can easily remove the brownies once baked.
- Place chocolate chips and butter in a medium, microwave-safe bowl, and place in the microwave on medium power for 1 minute. Stir to combine. Place the mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, and stir until melted.
- Transfer to a large bowl and add sugar and brown sugar. Whisk until combined. Add the eggs, and whisk until well combined. Add vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, stirring until combined. Add the gluten free all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt and mix until well combined.
- Pour in the pan, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center barely begins to come out clean. Remove the brownies from the oven, and let cool for 10 minutes. Place them in the refrigerator to finish cooling. This stops the cooking process, and results in fudgier brownies.
- Meanwhile, make the cream cheese frosting. Add the cream cheese and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer, and beat on medium speed until well combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.Add the remaining ingredients, and mix on low until combined. Turn the mixer off, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and return the mixer to medium-high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Remove the brownies from the pan, and spread cream cheese frosting evenly over the top, and refrigerate until the frosting is firm. Cut the brownies into 6 equal strips, widthwise and then 3 equal strips, lengthwise, creating 18 pieces.
Recipe Substitutions
Here are some of my recommendations for this recipe if you're looking to make it fit your own dietary needs and preferences:
- Gluten free all-purpose flour - if you do not eat a gluten free diet, you can use regular all-purpose flour. This is my favorite brand of gluten free all-purpose , but feel free to use your favorite!
- Butter - butter is a must for these red velvet brownies, but if you have to avoid dairy, you can certainly use a dairy free butter alternative. I have not made this brownie recipe with oil, but I do think it would work well with coconut oil in place of butter. Just be aware that it may add a slight coconut flavor to the brownies.
- Dark Chocolate - if you prefer to make the brownies a bit less rich, use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead.
- Dark Cocoa Powder - like the dark chocolate chips, you may substitute regular cocoa powder in place of dark cocoa powder.
- Granulated and Brown Sugar - both types of sugar create an extra rich flavor in this brownie, but you could substitute granulated sugar for the brown sugar, if you prefer.
- Eggs - eggs are needed as a binder for this red velvet brownie recipe. However, if you are unable to eat eggs, you may try an egg alternative like a "flax egg". To make 1 flax egg combine 1 tablespoon of flax meal to 3 tablespoons of water. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Cream Cheese - the cream cheese frosting on these red velvet brownies is one component that really takes them over the top. If you are making the brownies dairy free, I suggest using your favorite dairy free cream cheese as a replacement for the cream cheese in the frosting.
Ways to Serve Gluten Free Red Velvet Brownies
This recipe is so delicious for a decadent dessert the whole family will love. BUT, if you want to try something a little different, here are some ideas!
- You could treat your kiddos to Brownie Sundaes using the red velvet brownies. Simply omit the cream cheese frosting. Serve brownies in a bowl with your favorite ice cream, hot fudge, sprinkles, and chopped nuts. My mouth is watering!
- Another amazing option would be to spread the brownie batter in two pans, making a thinner brownie, and then sandwich it with your favorite ice cream to create red velvet brownie ice cream sandwiches.
- You can also bake these red velvet brownies in muffin cups to make individual brownies without the need to cut them. Don't forget to cut the baking time down a bit!
Tips for Perfecting This Recipe
These gluten free red velvet brownies are fairly fool proof, but some tips to ensure you bake the BEST brownies of your life are below!
- Mix quickly - because the recipe contains a lot of melted butter and melted chocolate, be sure all the ingredients are out and measured before you begin making them. This is so you can mix it quickly before the chocolate and butter both begin to firm up.
- Room temperature eggs - Just like mixing the ingredients together quickly, ensuring your eggs are room temperature will keep the butter and chocolate mixture from firming up while mixing.
- Place in the refrigerator - as SOON as the brownies have been cooling for 10 minutes, place them on a cooling rack and into the refrigerator. Baked items tend to continue baking for a few minutes after coming out of the oven. This is called carry-over cooking (or baking). Placing them in the refrigerator will allow them to cool more quickly and stop the baking process. The result is a more fudgier brownie.
Storage, Freezing and Shelf Life of Red Velvet Brownies
If there was ever a baked good that was meant for freezing, it is brownies! Below are some tips for the best ways to store and freeze your brownies.
To Store - Any brownies you plan to eat within 2-3 days can be placed in an airtight container or a plastic zip top bag. If the brownies are iced with cream cheese frosting, they need to be stored in the refrigerator. Remove them about 30 minutes before enjoying.
To Freeze - Freezing the red velvet brownies is so easy. Simply place in a single layer in a plastic, zip top bag and lay flat in the freezer. Brownies can be frozen with or without icing. If you plan to ice them, simply remove from the freezer and allow to sit at room temperature for about an hour before icing.
Shelf Life - In the refrigerator, the brownies are best eaten within 2-3 days. After that, they begin to dry out and are not as tasty. Frozen brownies can be stored for up to 6 months!
Hungry for More?
Looking for other tasty, family friendly treats? Here's some more to try!
Gluten Free Red Velvet Brownies
Fudgy, chewy, and delicious, this twist on two classic recipes is the best dessert you'll bring to any party!
Equipment
- Stand mixer
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Off set spatula
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
RED VELVET BROWNIE INGREDIENTS
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
- ¾ cup unsalted butter 1 ½ sticks
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar
- 3 each eggs
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 bottle red food coloring (1 ounce)
- 2 cups gluten free all-purpose 1:1 flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Cream cheese frosting
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING INGREDIENTS
- ¾ cup cream cheese, room temperature (6 ounces)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature ½ stick
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 11x7-inch metal baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang so you can easily remove the brownies once baked.
- Place chocolate chips and butter in a medium, microwave-safe bowl, and place in the microwave on medium power for 1 minute. Stir to combine. Place the mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, and stir until melted.
- Transfer the chocolate mixture to a large bowl and add sugar and brown sugar. Whisk until combined. Add the eggs, and whisk until well combined. Add vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, stirring until combined. Add the gluten free all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt and mix until well combined.
- Pour in the pan, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center barely begins to come out clean. Remove the brownies from the oven, and let cool for 10 minutes. Place them in the refrigerator to finish cooling. This stops the cooking process, and results in fudgier brownies.
- Meanwhile, make the cream cheese frosting. Add the cream cheese and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer, and beat on medium speed until well combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the remaining ingredients, and mix on low until combined. Turn the mixer off, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and return the mixer to medium-high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy, about 5-8 minutes.
- Once the brownies have cooled, spread cream cheese frosting evenly over the top, and refrigerate until the frosting is firm. Cut the brownies into 6 equal strips, widthwise and then 3 equal strips, lengthwise, creating 18 pieces.
Notes
- This recipe can easily be made with regular all-purpose flour. Simply substitute out the gluten free all-purpose flour and the cassava flour for equal amounts of regular all-purpose flour.
- Be sure to take the brownies out of the oven AS SOON as they are ready, to prevent them from over baking.
- When making the frosting, beat it until it is fluffier than you would think is necessary. It loses air quickly, and will be easier to spread if it has a lot of air whipped in.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
