Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to indulge in sweet treats, and these Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are sure to make the occasion even more special. The rich red velvet flavor combined with gooey chocolate chips creates a delicious balance of sweetness and richness. Not only are these cookie bars visually stunning with their deep red color, but they also have a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that will leave everyone craving more. Whether you’re celebrating with a loved one, friends, or simply indulging in a sweet treat for yourself, these cookie bars will make the day even sweeter. They’re easy to make and a fun twist on the traditional red velvet cake or cookies, so if you’re looking for a simple yet show-stopping dessert for your Valentine’s Day celebration, this recipe is a must-try. The comforting aroma as they bake will have your home smelling like a bakery, making this recipe a true crowd-pleaser. Whether served as a special treat after dinner or packaged up for a thoughtful gift, these Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are perfect for creating lasting memories with loved ones.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Perfect for Valentine’s Day

The vibrant red hue of the cookie bars adds an extra special touch to your Valentine’s Day celebrations, making them both delicious and visually appealing.

2. Gooey Chocolate Chips

The rich chocolate chips melt beautifully into the red velvet dough, creating pockets of gooey, melted chocolate in every bite, which adds a luxurious texture and flavor.

3. Easy to Make

Unlike traditional red velvet cakes or cookies, this recipe simplifies the process into easy-to-follow steps for perfect cookie bars every time, even for beginners.

4. Tender and Soft Texture

These cookie bars have the ideal texture—soft, chewy, and slightly gooey in the center, while firm enough on the edges to hold their shape. It’s a texture dream.

5. Versatile and Customizable

These cookie bars can be modified to suit various dietary preferences or taste preferences, making them adaptable for different occasions or preferences.

Ingredients

• Red velvet cake mix
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Butter
• Eggs
• Chocolate chips
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Cream cheese (optional for a cream cheese frosting or drizzle)

Variations

1. Add White Chocolate Chips

Swap out some or all of the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips to create a fun contrast with the red velvet.

2. Top with Sprinkles

For an extra festive touch, sprinkle heart-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter on top of the cookie bars before baking, adding a charming and decorative look.

3. Make it Gluten-Free

To make the bars gluten-free, use a gluten-free red velvet cake mix and all-purpose gluten-free flour as a substitute for regular flour.

4. Add Nuts

Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans can be added to the dough for an extra crunch and a rich nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the bars.

5. Frosted Red Velvet Bars

For an added indulgence, frost the bars with a simple cream cheese frosting to enhance the flavor and create a decadent treat.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the cookie bars from sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, all-purpose flour, and baking soda. Stir until evenly mixed.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add softened butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt to the dry ingredients. Mix everything together until fully incorporated and a thick dough forms.

Step 4: Stir in the Chocolate Chips

Fold the chocolate chips into the dough, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 5: Bake the Bars

Spread the dough evenly in the prepared baking pan, pressing it down gently. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bars should be soft and slightly chewy in the center.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve!

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overmix: Mix the dough just until everything is combined to prevent the cookie bars from becoming tough.
• Use Room Temperature Butter and Eggs: Using room temperature butter and eggs will help create a smoother dough.
• Test for Doneness: The center may seem a little soft, but once it cools down, it will firm up perfectly, so be careful not to overbake.
• Chill the Dough: If you prefer a thicker bar, chill the dough for 30 minutes before spreading it in the pan.

How to Serve

These Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are delicious served on their own, but they can also be paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert. If you made them for Valentine’s Day, serving them with a glass of cold milk or sparkling water can help cut through the sweetness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you prefer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week for a slightly firmer texture.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

For warm, gooey bars, reheat them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, or in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.

FAQs

1. Can I make these bars without a cake mix?

Yes! You can create a homemade red velvet dough by using cocoa powder, sugar, flour, and food coloring. However, the cake mix provides convenience and consistency.

2. How can I make the bars thicker?

You can refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking or reduce the baking time slightly to keep the dough slightly underbaked, which will result in thicker bars.

3. Can I add cream cheese to the dough?

Yes! Adding cream cheese will make the bars extra creamy. Consider adding it to the dough or using it for a cream cheese frosting.

4. Are these cookie bars suitable for kids?

Absolutely! These cookie bars are kid-friendly with their mild sweetness and fun red color, making them a hit for Valentine’s Day parties.

5. Can I use other chocolate besides chocolate chips?

Feel free to use chopped chocolate, chocolate chunks, or even peanut butter chips for a fun twist.

6. Do these bars freeze well?

Yes, they freeze beautifully. Just make sure they’re wrapped well in plastic or foil to prevent freezer burn.

7. How can I make the bars more festive?

Top the bars with heart-shaped sprinkles, drizzle with white chocolate, or add edible glitter to make them extra special for Valentine’s Day.

8. What’s the best way to serve them at a party?

Serve them cut into small squares on a platter with fresh berries or a scoop of ice cream for a delightful dessert offering.

9. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Yes, margarine can be used as a substitute for butter, but it might slightly alter the taste and texture of the bars.

10. Can I use a different type of cake mix?

While the red velvet flavor is essential to this recipe, you can experiment with other cake mixes like chocolate or vanilla if you want to create a different flavor profile.

Conclusion

These Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the perfect combination of festive color, rich flavor, and soft, chewy texture. They are an easy-to-make treat that will impress your loved ones, whether you’re sharing them at a party, giving them as a gift, or enjoying them as a special treat for yourself. With the option to customize and make them your own, these cookie bars will quickly become a favorite for any holiday or special occasion. So, go ahead and treat yourself (and your loved ones) to a batch of these irresistible red velvet chocolate chip cookie bars!

Print