Red Velvet Brownies with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Red velvet brownies are a delicious bite-size Valentine's Day treat, and they're topped with creamy white chocolate cream cheese frosting.

It's February already, which means Valentine's Day is almost here! We don't put a lot of effort into celebrating Valentine's Day. We buy cards, and a box of candy. I might make a fancy dinner at home.

Our son's class usually exchanges cards and sometimes treats. If you're tired of making cupcakes for class exchanges, give these red velvet brownies a try. The deep red color is perfect for Valentine's Day!

The brownies themselves need only one bowl to mix the batter. The frosting is optional (I know my son wouldn't eat anything with "cream cheese" in the name), but it does make adhering the Valentine's hearts sprinkles easier.

What is red velvet, anyway? The name originally came from the red hue caused by the non-Dutched cocoa in the batter. Later on, during the rationing during the World Wars, bakers sweetened their cakes with boiled beet juice, which also gave the cake a red color. Now, it's just red food coloring. While the cake has been around since the Victorian era, it's widely considered a Southern United States regional dessert.

This cake also serves another purpose—I'm participating in The Little Kitchen's third annual Valentine's event to raise money for Cookies for Kids Cancer. This is the third year for Julie's Valentine’s event! I'm proud to help make a difference in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Did you know that cancer is the #1 cause of death of children by disease in the U.S.? There are 40,000 U.S. children actively battling cancer right now. With less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute's budget going to all childhood cancer combined, I knew it was important for me to get involved.

Help us make a difference by donating to Cookies for Kids' Cancer! Our goal is to raise at least $3000. Because these three companies: Dixie Crystals, Mediavine and OXO have each pledged to match our donations raised through this campaign up to $3000!

Thanks to many of you, we have reached our goal. You can still donate and help us make an even bigger difference!

Slightly adapted from Southern Living

More Good Cookie Valentine's Day Recipes

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake from Julie of The Little Kitchen
Læsø Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies from Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Meyer Lemon Cookies from Linda of Simply Healthyish Recipes
Soft & Chewy Gluten Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Allie of Miss Allie's Kitchen
Small Batch Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe from Faith of An Edible Mosaic
Chocolate Madeleines from Caroline of Caroline's Cooking
Rainbow Rice Krispie Treats from Bree of Baked Bree
Tiger Butter Candy from Melissa of MamaGourmand
Valentine's Day Gluten Free Sugar Cookies from Brianna of Flippin' Delicious
Chocolate Spritz Sandwich Cookies from Carlee of Cooking With Carlee
Pink Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies from Jenn of Ever After in the Woods
French Butter Cookies from Rebekah of Kitchen Gidget
Brown Sugar M&M Cookies from Sara of Imperfectly Balanced Sara
mini rose cookies from Meaghan of the decorated cookie
Raspberry Linzer Cookies from Stephie of Stephie Cooks
Lemon Poppyseed Cookies from Becca of Two Places at Once
Warn Dark Chocolate Melting Cups from Lisa of Snack Girl
Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies from Jessica of A Kitchen Addiction
Cherry Cordial Bundt Cake from Carolann of Apron Warrior
Nutella Stuffed Cookies from Allison of Celebrating Sweets
Strawberry Pudding Cookies from Holly of A Baker's House
Slice and Bake Whirligig Cookies from Laura of Untwisted Vintage
Raspberry Strawberry Cookies from Heather of Delicious Not Gorgeous
Chocolate Strawberry Hand Pie from Trang of Wild Wild Whisk
White Chocolate Cashew Cranberry Cookies from Brittany of Diary of a Southern Mrs.
The Best Potato Chip Cookies Recipe from Marybeth of Babysavers
Darth Vader Valentine's Day Hug Cookies to Support Cookies for Kid’s Cancer from Jenn of justJENN recipes
Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies with Jam from Lisa of Garlic & Zest
Sprinkled Chocolate Shortbread Heart Cookies from Lisa of Blogghetti
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies from Dee of Meatloaf and Melodrama
Homemade Salted Nut Rolls from Shaina of Food for My Family
Valentine Sugar Cookie Cups from Melissa of Persnickety Plates
Chocolate Dipped Cashew Butter Cookies from Ashley of Fit Mitten Kitchen
Chocolate Vanilla Striped Shortbread Cookies from Denise of Chez Us
Pineapple Coconut Bar Cookies from Barbara of Barbara Bakes
Chocolate Raspberry Roll-Ups from Sue of It's Okay to Eat the Cupcake
Raspberry and Rose Meringue Parfaits from Michelle of Cup of Zest
Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies from Jade of Jonesin' For Taste
Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies from Emilie of Finding Zest
Chocolate Mousse Cups from Miranda of Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt
Grain-Free Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart from Gretchen of kumquat
Chocolate Shortbread Cookies from Sara of My Imperfect Kitchen
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie from Angela of About A Mom
Honey Pistachio Shortbread from Megan of Stetted
Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Cookies from Nicole of For the Love of Food
Chewy Coconut Macaroon Hearts (Gluten Free) from Taryn of Hot Pan Kitchen
Chocolate Peanut Butter Valentine's Cookies from Becca of The Salted Cookie
Chocolate Caramel Pie from Stefanie of Mommy Musings
Gluten-Free Red Velvet Brownies {Dairy-Free} from Audrey of Mama Knows Gluten Free
Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes from Erica of The Crumby Kitchen
Dark Chocolate Bourbon Coconut Cream Mousse from Lisa of Taste Cook Sip
Maple Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Jamie of Southern Revivals
Red Velvet Mini Layer Cakes from Gwynn of Swirls of Flavor
The Best Potato Chip Cookies Recipe from Marybeth of babysavers
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Kara of Kara in the Kitchen
Valentine’s Gummy Hearts from April of April Golightly