Red Velvet Bars Recipes

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch cake pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick baking spray.
• Add the cake mix, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract and 2 of the eggs to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until combined, about 1 minute. Add 1 stick of the butter and mix until just combined. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan with an offset spatula.
• Beat the cream cheese in a separate bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or clean the first bowl) on medium speed until light and smooth, scraping down the sides occasionally, about 2 minutes. With the mixer running on medium-low speed, add the remaining 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Once combined, add the remaining 1/2 stick butter and beat until smooth. With the mixer running on low speed, add the confectioners' sugar, one spoon at a time, until combined, scraping down the sides occasionally. Evenly pour the mixture over the cake layer and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
• Bake until the edges are puffed and golden brown and the center is just set, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, and then chill in the refrigerator at least 4 hours.
• For the royal icing: Add the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and 6 tablespoons water to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk until stiff peaks form.
• Transfer the chilled cake to a baking sheet and remove the foil. Spread an even layer of royal icing on the cake with an offset spatula and decorate with sprinkles if desired. Cut into 24 bars (4 lengthwise strips and 6 crosswise strips).

Steps:

• For the red velvet cake: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. Coat the foil with cooking spray.
• Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Stir together the cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons very hot water in a small bowl until smooth; let cool slightly. Stir together the milk and vinegar in another small bowl, and let stand until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Whisk together the oil, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth. Whisk in the food coloring and the cocoa mixture. Alternate whisking in the flour mixture in three additions and the milk mixture in two, starting and ending with the flour, until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Once the cake is cool enough to touch, press it down slightly to make the layer even. Place the pan on a cooling rack and let cool completely.
• For the cheesecake: While the red velvet cake bakes, combine the gelatin with 2 tablespoons water in a small microwave-safe bowl, and set aside to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Heat the granulated sugar and corn syrup over medium heat in a small skillet. Cook, swirling the pan but not stirring, until the mixture turns amber, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat, and carefully whisk in the cream and bourbon. (If the caramel seizes and hardens, continue to stir over medium heat until it melts and is smooth again.) Bring the mixture to a fast simmer, and cook until the caramel thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally to help the caramel cool faster.
• Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the side of the bowl. Add the cooled caramel, sour cream and confectioners' sugar, and beat on medium-high speed until incorporated and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Microwave the gelatin until melted, stirring as needed, about 30 seconds. Add it to the cream cheese mixture, and beat on medium-high speed to combine, about 30 seconds.
• Spread the cheesecake mixture over the red velvet cake in an even layer. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.
• Make the whipped cream: Beat the cream and confectioners' sugar together with an electric mixer at medium-high speed in a large bowl until medium peaks form. Spread the cream over the cheesecake.
• Use the foil overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Peel down the foil, and thinly trim the edges of the bars. Cut into 12 even rectangles, wiping the knife clean between cuts.

Steps:

• Set up grill for indirect cooking over medium heat. Spray 9 by 13-inch foil pan with cooking spray; set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat with an electric mixer on low speed, cake mix, butter, egg, and food coloring until combined. Press cake mixture into prepared pan; set aside.
• In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat to combine. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake layer.
• Place foil pan in a second foil pan for stability and insulation. Place on hot grill away from heat. Cover and bake 40 to 50 minutes. Rotate pan halfway through baking.
• Remove from grill and cool completely before cutting.
• INDOOR: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9 by13-inch baking pan lightly with cooking spray; set aside. Prepare bars as directed. Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until bars barely start to pull away from sides. Cool completely before cutting.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and line it with parchment.
• Whisk together the flour and cocoa in a small bowl; set aside.
• Combine the butter, cream cheese, granulated and brown sugars, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Stir with a rubber spatula until combined. Some bits of cream cheese may remain. Add the egg, vanilla extract, food coloring and vinegar; stir to combine.
• Add the cocoa mixture and 1/4 cup each of the white chocolate chips and mini chips to the medium bowl; stir just until no streaks of flour remain.
• Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and spread until smooth. Scatter the remaining 1/4 cup each of the white chocolate chips and mini chips evenly over the top.
• Bake until puffed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 32 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan then remove and cut into 16 bars.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Mix red velvet cake mix, butter, 1 egg, and 1 egg yolk together in a large bowl. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Whisk cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl. Beat in 1 egg until smooth. Beat in 1 egg yolk.
• Spread cream cheese mixture over the red velvet layer in the pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pan, about 30 minutes. Cut into bars.

Steps:

• Set up grill for indirect cooking over medium heat. Spray 9 by 13-inch foil pan with cooking spray; set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat with an electric mixer on low speed, cake mix, butter, egg, and food coloring until combined. Press cake mixture into prepared pan; set aside.
• In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat to combine. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake layer.
• Place foil pan in a second foil pan for stability and insulation. Place on hot grill away from heat. Cover and bake 40 to 50 minutes. Rotate pan halfway through baking.
• Remove from grill and cool completely before cutting.
• INDOOR: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9 by13-inch baking pan lightly with cooking spray; set aside. Prepare bars as directed. Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until bars barely start to pull away from sides. Cool completely before cutting.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13x9 pan with cooking spray.
• Mix cake mix,1 egg, butter and water in large bowl. This makes a VERY stiff dough. Transfer to prepared pan and pat into an even layer. I strongly recommend using gloves for this step, since the red food coloring in the cake mix will stain.
• Cream together softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add 2 eggs,vanilla and mix until combined. Spread on top of red velvet dough. Bake 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.