Red Velvet and Cheesecake (Bloody) Brownies

 

Halloween is just a few weeks away and I've been wanting to make bloody brownies since this time last year! My boyfriend came home from almost two weeks away and I kid you not, brownies and cheesecake are two of his favourite desserts. It was just the perfect timing to whip up some blood red treats. Despite the non-traditional red velvet flavour, these really are gooey like brownies.

 

 

 

Red velvet swirl brownies (adapted from here)

 

115g butter

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 1/8 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup cocoa

Pinch of salt

20ml red liquid food colouring

1 tsp vinegar

3 eggs

3/4 cup plain flour

1/4 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

225g cream cheese

1. Preheat oven to 175°C. Grease a 20cm square tray.
2. Melt the butter in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and add 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, cocoa, salt, food colouring, vinegar, 2 eggs, flour and walnuts, in that order, stirring after each addition.
3. Reserving 1/4 cup batter, pour into baking tray.
4. Beat together cream cheese, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1/8 tsp vanilla and egg until smooth. Gently spread the mixture over the brownie mixture in the tray. Dollop the remaining 1/4 cup batter on top. Use a skewer or knife to swirl the mixtures together.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Cut into squares.