An easy yet fun dessert to make this Valentine's Day is these Pink Velvet Brownies. They are beautifully vibrant and made for any special occasion, from baby showers to birthdays! You don't have to be an experienced baker to make this showstopper for a crowd, and I promise that these pink brownies are a hit every time.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Dessert
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 9
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Light, sweet vanilla-forward "pink velvet" with a soft, chewy blondie-like texture and cream cheese richness.
- 🍚 Best Served With: A cup of coffee, tea, or fresh berries for balance.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, make 1-2 days ahead and store refrigerated for best texture.
Summarize and Save This Content On
It's important to note that these aren't the same as strawberry brownies. They are more like a vanilla blondie colored pink! I love that it's not only a simple homemade recipe, but it's made for entertaining! The addition of the cream cheese frosting adds more texture and a tanginess that complements the sweetness amazingly.
You should also try these vanilla brownies and banana pudding brownies if you want more easy dessert bar recipes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's easy to prepare ahead: I love that these pink blondies may be prepared in advance. They have a great shelf life and allow you to have them party-ready at a moment's notice!
- It's a gift-worthy dessert: Wrap these up and share them with the special people in your life! Anyone would be delighted to receive a pink velvet brownie as a gift.
- It's perfect for special occasions: These cute pink dessert bars are suitable for any event or holiday you have in mind! Prepare them for a baby shower for a baby girl, a bridal shower, Valentine's Day, or a birthday party! The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients
The most important ingredients needed for this pink velvet brownie recipe are listed below. These most affect the texture and flavor of the final result.
- Egg whites: This ingredient is key to the light and velvety texture of the pink velvet brownies. Whole eggs make them fudgy and dense, like a traditional brownie, while these bars lean more toward a blondie.
- Vanilla bean paste: I like using it for its rich vanilla flavor. It also preserves the texture and chew of the pink brownies. Pure vanilla extract may be used instead, but it won't have as strong a flavor. Another recipe where you can use vanilla bean paste is crockpot chocolate lava cake.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is best in this recipe because you will add additional salt. Both the pink bars and the frosting must be at room temperature, so leave them on the counter for at least 30 minutes. This adds richness to both elements and provides structure and moisture for the brownies.
- Cream cheese: Full-fat cream cheese is best here. This must be softened to room temperature, so I highly recommend taking it out of the refrigerator at the same time that you take out the butter.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Fresh Berry Garnish: Top your finished pink blondie brownies with fresh berries, such as raspberries or strawberries, to enhance the presentation with more pops of color.
- Confetti-style bars: Fold in no more than ½ of festive sprinkles or pearls to add a little surprise when you slice the pink brownies.
- Cut them into shapes: Depending on what you're serving them for, you can cut them into shapes! I recommend hearts for Valentine's Day or stars for a birthday, for example.
How to Make Pink Velvet Brownies
Here are the instructions you'll need for this pink brownie recipe. Start by preheating your oven to 350F and lining a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 1: Make the batter and add food coloring. Combine the butter, sugar, vanilla, and egg in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until light and creamy, and then mix in the dry ingredients. Then stir in the pink food coloring.
Step 2: Transfer and bake. Now you can pour the pink blondie batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Stick it in the oven and bake it for about 25-30 minutes.
Step 3: Cool and frost. While your pink velvet brownies cool completely, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Then spread it over the cooled brownies.
Step 4: Slice and serve. Add sprinkles if desired, and slice it into 9 equal squares. Enjoy a pink velvet bar with a love potion cocktail.
If you like all things velvet, check out our red velvet cookie bars. You won't be disappointed.
Expert Tips
- Don't overbake the pink brownies: Be careful not to overbake these brownies because they will become dry and crumbly. It's normal for the middle to be soft but not firm.
- Checking them for doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center to check to see if the brownies are done. It will be moist with a few crumbs when it's ready. The toothpick doesn't need to be totally clean!
- Storage directions: Keep frosted pink brownies refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You may freeze them unfrosted for up to 2 months.
These lemon brownies are a great example of a treat with a chewy texture but not a traditional brownie.
Serving Suggestions
- Make a beautiful dessert board featuring these Valentine's Day brownies! Some other adorable treats you should include are pretzel flowers, chocolate berry cups, and frosted fudge.
- Prepare a matching cocktail like this raspberry martini!
- Enjoy a fancy dinner of air fryer porterhouse steak to celebrate with that special person in your life.
Recipe FAQs
I have kitchen-tested this recipe, and the Wilton rose food dye works great here because it isn't as muted or dulled after baking. If you use a different brand or shade of pink, add a little extra, as it may naturally fade slightly in the oven.
The key here is the ingredients used. The egg whites keep the brownies soft with a cake-like texture. Plus, the butter over traditional oil adds that chewiness you get in a blondie!
The biggest difference is the flavor. Traditional brownies include cocoa or melted chocolate, while blondies are more vanilla-forward and don't have any chocolate in them. These pink velvet brownies have a dense structure that makes clean slices.
More Delicious Valentine's Day Recipes
Do you like Valentine's Day recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Pink Velvet Brownies
Ingredients
Blondie Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ⅞ cup granulated white sugar ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pink food dye I like Wilton ROSE food dye
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
- 4 ounce cream cheese room temperature
- 4 tablespoons butter room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add the butter, sugar, vanilla bean paste, and egg whites to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the bowl and mix until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a rubber spatula and beat once more to ensure all the ingredients are fully incorporated. Batter will be very thick - this is normal.
- Add the food dye to the bowl and mix until fully combined.
- Scoop the batter into a greased and parchment-lined 9x9-inch baking dish. Smooth the top out with a spatula.
- Bake the blondies in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only moist crumbs on it.
- Allow the blondies to cool completely.
Directions for Frosting:
- Add the cream cheese, butter, vanilla bean paste, and powdered sugar to a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled blondies and top with sprinkles, if desired.
- Cut the blondies into 9 equal-sized squares. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Video
Notes
- Check your pink velvet brownies for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Adjust the amount of pink food coloring based on the brand and shade you use. Some may appear muted and dull after they bake.
- Avoid overbaking the brownies to prevent them from becoming dry and crumbly.
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