Today marks the first of our monthly potlucks at work, and since it’s Valentine’s day, I decided to whip up these decadent Red Velvet Brownies with cream cheese frosting. I love red velvet EVERYTHING, so when I ran across a few recipes for brownies, I knew I had to make them. This recipe actually combines a few different recipes and the result is outstanding. Fudgy, gooey, velvety brownies, which are complemented with the creamy and rich cream cheese frosting. I topped mine with some red sugar sprinkles and a cherry M&M. Mmmmmm so good. And guess what? Easy too!

Ingredients for the brownies:

• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• red sugar sprinkles

Ingredients for the frosting

• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put cake mix the bowl of a mixer, and oil and egg and mix well. Add the milk slowly, just until the batter is combined. Mix in chocolate chips. The batter will be extremely dense. Spoon batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13 brownie pan, using a spatula to spread it out. Bake for 29 minutes. Let cool for at least 60 minutes before cutting and frosting because the gooey center needs to set.

In the meantime, prepare the frosting. Beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add vanilla and sugar  and continue beating until creamy.

Once brownies have cooled, cut into squares. Using a metal spoon, plop frosting onto each piece. Because the tops of the brownies are pretty flaky, trying to spread the frosting will only make a mess. I found plopping to work best. Top with red sugar sprinkles and a cherry M&M.