Vampire Bite Red Velvet Brownies

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter, melted — 1 cup
• Granulated sugar — 2 cup
• Large eggs — 4 pcs
• Vanilla extract — 1 tbsp
• Red food coloring — 1 tbsp
• All-purpose flour — 2 cup
• Unsweetened cocoa powder — 0.5 cup
• Baking powder — 1 tsp
• Salt — 0.5 tsp
• Dark chocolate chips — 1 cup

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter and granulated sugar until combined, then add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring.
4. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined, then fold in the dark chocolate chips.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
6. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
7. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before removing and cutting into squares.
8. Once cooled, spread the prepared cream cheese frosting over the brownies (see Cream Cheese Frosting sub-recipe). If using, prepare the chocolate ganache (see Chocolate Ganache sub-recipe) and drizzle over the frosted brownies for the finished 'vampire bite' presentation.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese, softened — 8 oz
• Unsalted butter, softened — 0.5 cup
• Powdered sugar — 4 cup
• Vanilla extract — 1 tsp
• Milk (as needed for consistency) — 1.5 tbsp

1. Beat the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until smooth.
3. Beat in the vanilla extract and add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.

Chocolate Ganache

• Dark chocolate chips — 0.5 cup
• Heavy cream — 2 tbsp

1. Warm the heavy cream until just simmering, then pour it over the dark chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl.
2. Let sit for 1–2 minutes, then stir until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
3. Let the ganache cool slightly, then drizzle over the frosted brownies.