Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars

I found out that my Dad loves Red Velvet.  I really haven't tried anything red velvet before.  I always thought it was some fancy new type of cake - like spice or something.  But I'm gathering that it's basically a chocolate type cake with lots of food coloring in it.  Am I right?  Or did I totally miss the boat on this one?

Either way, I wanted to make something red velvet for my Dad when he came over for dinner.  We decided on Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars.  Do I have to say way?  It's cheesecake for heaven's sake!

They were delicious and I was so glad that my Dad loved them.  And don't they look pretty?  Perfect for Valentine's Day.  

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars

Source: Baking Bites

* 1/2 cup butter

* 2 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped

*  2 large eggs

* 1 cup sugar

* 1 tsp. vanilla

* 1 1/2 tsp. red food coloring

* 2/3 cup all purpose flour

* 1/4 tsp. salt

* 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

* 1/3 cup sugar

* 1 large egg

* 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 9x9 inch pan with parchment paper.  Set aside.

In a small saucepan, heat butter and chocolate until melted.  Stir until smooth.  Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla and red food coloring.  Slowly add in the chocolate mixture and mix well.  Batter should be red.  If you would like a darker red color, add another 1/2 tsp. red food coloring.  Add flour and salt and stir until combined.

Pour into prepared pan into an even layer.

Beat together cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth.

Drop onto brownie mixture and swirl with a knife.  I think I need to take some swirling lessons.  Mine didn't look as pretty as I had hoped.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until brownies and cheesecake are set.  A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.

Cool in the pan completely before cutting.

Makes 16 large brownies or 24 smaller brownies. 

 

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