Creamy red velvet cheesecake bars on top of a rich chocolate crust. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

Is it weird that I’d never heard about red velvet anything until Newlyweds? Also, is it totally weird that I might kinda sorta miss that show even just a little bit? It was entertaining to watch but it was kind in the train wreck way. Hard to look away. Do you think it was all an act, totally for added publicity and ratings, or not?

Anyway…red velvet must be a southern thing and being a northern girl… well… it’s just not nearly as popular up here. I think the love for it is growing and spreading though. I still don’t totally get it. I mean… it’s just chocolate tinted red which in my case means once you’re done baking you’re left looking like a massacre happened in your kitchen. I swear I was extra careful but clearly not careful enough. It’s kind of like when frosting is tinted, you’re almost guaranteed to be left with colorful teeth and lips… or in the case of my kids… their hands, face and clothes.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

Clearly I got over the whole ‘it’s just tinted chocolate’ thing and went along with it for the sake of Valentine’s Day. I mean red is the color of love (said in the totally drawn out immature way… say it with me luuuuuuuvv). So, fun festive red food was a must. I made a miniature version last year, so this year I figured why not make an easier version for those who maybe don’t want to bother with a specialty pan or maybe just want to feed more people at once. I mean I can’t blame anyone for wanting to share yummy food, so I totally get it. The more the merrier.

Following the same idea as before, only in bar form, red velvet cheesecake bars feature a rich chocolate crust, a luscious red velvet cheesecake mixture and are lightly dusted with powdered sugar prior to serving for an added touch. Cut these up into desired sizes to serve any size party or celebration.

Surprise your Valentine with cheesecake this year! Red Velvet cheesecake bars to be exact.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

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Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 plus
Creamy red velvet cheesecake bars on top of a rich chocolate crust. Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Ingredients
 

Crust:

  • 2 C chocolate graham cracker crumbs , *See note
  • 1/4 C granulated sugar
  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

  • 20 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 C sour cream
  • 3/4 C granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/3 C unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 2 Tbsp red food coloring

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease exposed pan for easy release.
  • In a food processor, combine crust ingredients. Transfer to prepared pan. Press down firmly to create an even layer. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together cream cheese, sour cream and sugar. Scrape bowl as needed. With mixer running on low, add in eggs, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt, followed by red food coloring. Mix until no streaks remain and mixer is smooth.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan. Spread out into an even layer. Bake for 35 minutes or until set. Allow to cool to room temperature before transferring to the fridge to cool completely.
  • When ready to serve, carefully remove from pan and slice into even pieces. Optionally top off with powdered sugar or sweetened whipped cream.

Notes

Recipe serves roughly 12-16.
*15 sheets or roughly 1 and 2/3 packages = 2 cups graham cracker crumbs.
An original recipe from Baked by Rachel
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most accurate data, use your preferred nutrition calculator with the actual ingredients you used to make this recipe.
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Snap a picture and tag @bakedbyrachel on Instagram!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cheesecake

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