Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting the most delectable **Easy Red Velvet Bars**! This recipe transforms a simple boxed cake mix into a gourmet-level dessert, topped with a rich, homemade buttercream frosting that will melt in your mouth. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, these bars offer a straightforward yet incredibly satisfying experience. With their vibrant red hue, tender crumb, and delightful surprise of white chocolate chips, these **Red Velvet Cake Bars** are not just a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, perfect for any occasion.
Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly baked square of moist red velvet cake, studded with sweet white chocolate, and crowned with a luscious, creamy frosting. That’s exactly what awaits you with this recipe. We’ve taken the convenience of a boxed cake mix and elevated it, adding simple ingredients to create a dessert that tastes entirely from scratch. This approach saves you time and effort without compromising on flavor or texture, making it an ideal choice for busy weekdays, spontaneous gatherings, or whenever a craving for something sweet strikes. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these irresistible **White Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Bars**!
The Magic of Boxed Cake Mix Bars
One of the true beauties of this recipe lies in its foundation: a simple boxed cake mix. While some might shy away from using a mix, we embrace its potential for creating quick, consistent, and utterly delicious desserts. By “dressing up” the mix with a few additional ingredients, we enhance its flavor and texture, resulting in bars that are far superior to a standard cake from a box.
The versatility of cake mix bars is truly remarkable. Don’t have a red velvet mix on hand, or perhaps you’re in the mood for a different flavor? No problem! This recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can easily substitute the red velvet cake mix with any other flavor you adore—chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, lemon, or even a spice cake mix. Each variation will yield a uniquely delightful bar, allowing you to experiment and discover new favorites with minimal effort. The core technique remains the same, ensuring consistent results every time.
Furthermore, the addition of white chocolate chips within these bars provides a lovely textural contrast and an extra layer of sweetness that complements the rich red velvet flavor perfectly. However, if white chocolate isn’t your preference, feel free to swap them out for milk chocolate, dark chocolate, butterscotch, or even peanut butter chips. For those who prefer a less sweet option, you can omit the chocolate chips entirely. The choice is yours, making these **Cake Mix Bars** fully customizable to suit any palate.
Finally, let’s talk about the frosting. Our recipe calls for a thick, creamy homemade buttercream frosting that perfectly balances the sweetness of the bars. If you prefer a lighter touch, you can simply halve the frosting recipe. This allows you to control the richness and sweetness to your liking. The homemade frosting is truly what elevates these bars, providing that signature indulgent finish that makes them unforgettable.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Red Velvet Bars
Crafting these sensational **Red Velvet Bars** requires a handful of common ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. The quality of these ingredients, even in a simplified recipe like this, can make a significant difference in the final taste and texture of your dessert. We’ve carefully selected components that work together to create a harmonious and unforgettable treat.
Ingredients for the Red Velvet Bars:
- Red Velvet Cake Mix: The star of our show! A standard 15.25 oz box will do the trick. While the base for red velvet bars, remember this recipe is flexible, allowing you to swap in other cake mix flavors to suit your preference.
- Salted Butter: Using softened, room temperature butter is crucial for achieving the right consistency in your batter. Salted butter adds a subtle depth of flavor that complements the sweetness of the cake mix and white chocolate chips. If you only have unsalted butter, a small pinch of salt can be added to the mix.
- Large Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together, provide moisture, and contribute to the rich, tender texture of the bars. Ensure they are at room temperature for better incorporation into the batter.
- White Chocolate Chips: These little gems melt into pockets of creamy sweetness throughout the red velvet base. They offer a delightful contrast to the faint cocoa notes of red velvet. Consider using high-quality white chocolate for the best flavor experience.
Ingredients for the Creamy Buttercream Frosting:
- Salted Butter: Again, softened salted butter is key for a smooth, lump-free buttercream. It forms the rich base of the frosting, providing a creamy texture and a hint of salt to balance the sugar.
- Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): This finely milled sugar dissolves easily, creating a silky-smooth frosting without any grittiness. Sifting it beforehand can help prevent clumps.
- Milk: A small amount of milk helps achieve the perfect consistency for your buttercream, allowing it to be thick enough to hold its shape but spreadable enough to glide effortlessly over the bars. You can use any type of milk you prefer, from whole milk to a non-dairy alternative.
Having all your ingredients prepped and ready at room temperature before you start baking will ensure a smoother, more successful process. This careful selection and preparation of ingredients are the secrets to creating truly exceptional **Red Velvet Dessert Bars** that taste homemade from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Red Velvet Bars
Baking these **Easy Red Velvet Bars** is a delightful and straightforward process. Follow these simple steps to create a dessert that will earn rave reviews every time.
- Prepare Your Baking Pan: Begin by lightly spraying an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. For even easier removal and clean slices, lining the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, is highly recommended. This allows you to lift the entire batch of cooled bars out of the pan before cutting. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients for the Bars: In a large mixing bowl, combine your red velvet cake mix, softened salted butter, and large eggs. Using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, beat the ingredients together until a thick, cohesive batter forms. The mixture will be quite dense, which is perfectly normal. Once the batter is uniform, gently fold in the white chocolate chips using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher bars.
- Spread the Batter Evenly: Transfer the thick batter into your prepared 8×8-inch baking dish. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to spread the batter evenly across the bottom of the pan, making sure it reaches all the corners. A thick, uniform layer will ensure even baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven. You’ll know the bars are done when the top appears firm and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking, as this can dry out the bars. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before proceeding to the frosting stage. Cooling them fully is essential to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Prepare the Creamy Buttercream Frosting: While the bars are cooling, it’s time to whip up the decadent buttercream frosting. In a clean mixing bowl, beat together the softened salted butter, powdered sugar, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk using your electric hand mixer. Start with 1 tablespoon of milk and add more if needed, a teaspoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired thick and creamy consistency. Beat on medium-high speed until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth. This typically takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Frost and Finish: Once your red velvet bars are completely cooled, evenly spread the rich buttercream frosting over the top in a generous, thick layer. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to create a smooth, inviting surface. The beautiful contrast of the vibrant red bars against the pristine white frosting is truly stunning.
- Slice and Serve: Finally, with the frosting set, cut the large bar into individual squares. For clean cuts, wipe your knife with a warm, damp cloth between each slice. Arrange them beautifully on a platter and serve these delightful **Red Velvet Bars** to eager guests.
Customization and Storage Tips for Your Red Velvet Bars
Beyond the basic recipe, there are numerous ways to customize these **Easy Red Velvet Bars** to your liking, and knowing how to store them properly will ensure they stay fresh and delicious.
Endless Flavor Variations:
As mentioned, the beauty of using a boxed cake mix base means you’re not limited to just red velvet. Experiment with:
- Chocolate Lovers: Use a chocolate fudge or devil’s food cake mix and dark chocolate chips.
- Vanilla Dream: Opt for a vanilla or golden cake mix with milk chocolate chips or sprinkles.
- Fruity Fun: A strawberry or lemon cake mix could be delightful, perhaps with a cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream, or even a citrus glaze.
- Seasonal Spice: During autumn, try a spice cake mix with butterscotch chips or pecans.
For the chocolate chips, consider semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or even a mix of different types for a varied flavor profile. You can also add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch, or even a sprinkle of shredded coconut.
Frosting Flexibility:
While our homemade buttercream is phenomenal, you can adjust it further:
- Thinner Frosting: If you prefer a less indulgent frosting layer, simply make half the recipe.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: For a more classic red velvet experience, substitute the buttercream with a tangy cream cheese frosting.
- Flavor Boost: Add a splash of vanilla extract, almond extract, or even a few drops of peppermint extract (for a holiday twist!) to your buttercream.
Storage and Shelf Life:
These **Red Velvet Bars** are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store beautifully:
- Room Temperature: If stored in an airtight container, the bars will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, or if your kitchen is particularly warm, place the airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Bring them to room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezing: These bars freeze exceptionally well! Wrap individual bars or the entire unfrosted slab tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before serving. If freezing frosted bars, ensure the frosting is firm before wrapping to prevent smudging.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these bars as a standalone dessert, or elevate them with:
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
- A drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.
- A scattering of fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries.
- A dusting of cocoa powder or powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
No matter how you choose to enjoy them, these **Homemade Red Velvet Bars** are sure to be a hit!
Craving More Red Velvet Recipes?
If you’ve fallen in love with the iconic flavor of red velvet, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of red velvet creations waiting to be explored. From decadent cakes to bite-sized treats, the versatility of this beloved flavor knows no bounds. Here are some more delightful recipes to satisfy your red velvet cravings:
- Red Velvet Cake Balls
- Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
- Red Velvet Poke Cake
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Bundt Cake
- Homemade Green Velvet Cupcakes
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake
- Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
- Red Velvet Brownies
Easy Red Velvet Bars
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Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
For the buttercream frosting:
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Spray an 8×8-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Parchment paper will make it much easier to slice and serve. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
- Mix together dry cake mix with butter and eggs using an electric hand mixer, then stir in chocolate chips by hand. Batter will be very thick.
- Spread batter into prepared dish. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until top is firm and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely before icing.
- To make frosting, beat together softened butter, powdered sugar and milk with an electric hand mixer, until thick and creamy.
- Once bars are cooled, spread frosting out in a thick layer on top.
- Cut into squares before serving.
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Notes
- This recipe can be made with any flavor of boxed cake mix.
Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 60 g
| Protein: 5 g
| Fat: 14 g
| Sodium: 429 mg
| Fiber: 1 g
| Sugar: 43 g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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Originally published: January 2018
Updated & republished: November 2020