Red Velvet Bars are a simple dessert to make. With a cake mix base, Oreo cookies, and chocolate chips, they make a delicious treat to make for parties.
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I love to create fun treats for every occasion. And these vibrant red velvet cake bars are my favorite thing for Valentine's Day or Christmas. A layer of chocolate makes them extra rich and delicious.
Cake mix treats are great because they're easy to prepare. All you need is a box mix and a few extra ingredients.
Every few months, I clean out the pantry and create new recipes with what I find. Recently, I discovered that Oreos and red velvet make the perfect Valentine's Day dessert.
Why This Oreo Red Velvet Recipe Works
If you love red velvet cake but want something easier to make, this is the perfect alternative. Combining cake mix, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate cookies creates a treat that's hard to resist.
- Incredibly easy to make - Anyone can make these cookie bars with just a few simple ingredients.
- Quick and convenient - No need to spend hours baking from scratch! Cake mix makes it easy to prepare bars quickly for serving.
- Perfect for any occasion - These gooey layer bars are perfect for any occasion. Make them for birthday parties, holiday gatherings, or a cozy evening at home.
- Fun to customize - Experiment with other combinations using different cake mixes and other toppings!
What You'll Need
Here is the basic list of tools and ingredients needed to make this red velvet cookie bars recipe. A layer of cookies, hot fudge, and chocolate chips makes them taste fantastic.
Tools Needed
- Mixing Bowls - Used to make the cookie dough and milk mixture.
- Stand Mixer - My favorite way to make baked goods easily.
- Rubber Spatula - It makes it easy to scrape the bowl and then press the dough into the pan.
- 9x13 Baking Dish - This one comes with a lid to store leftovers.
Main Ingredients
- Red Velvet Cake Mix - For this recipe, you will only use the dry powder. Any brand works, but make sure it is around 15 ounces.
- Butter - Set it out ahead of time so it can soften.
- Large Egg - Provides some moisture to create a soft dough.
- Oreo Cookies - I used the original cookies. Feel free to use any variety, such as golden, chocolate cream, or red velvet Oreos.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk - Gives the bars a sweet, gooey texture.
- Hot Fudge Topping - Transforms the milk into a rich chocolate topping. Use 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder in place of the fudge.
- Chocolate Chips - Miniature chips are the perfect size to add more chocolate without being overwhelming. However, you can use any kind.
How To Make Red Velvet Bars
These red velvet cake bars come together in minutes. Just give yourself enough time for the sweet bars to cool and firm up before cutting them into squares.
Step One: Using a stand or electric mixer, beat the boxed cake mix, butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Stop once a soft dough forms.
Step Two: Spray a 9x13-inch pan and your hands with non-stick spray. Press the sticky red velvet batter into the prepared pan with your hands or a rubber spatula.
Step Three: Crumble the cookies on top of the cake layer. Stir the milk and hot fudge in a small mixing bowl, then drizzle it evenly over the top. Sprinkle with an even layer of mini chips.
Step Four: Place the pan in the oven and bake until set. Let the fudge bars cool completely on a wire rack before cutting them into squares.
Storage Recommendations
On the Counter - Store gooey cake bars in an airtight container on your counter at room temperature for 3-4 days.
In the Freezer - After the bars have cooled, wrap them in plastic and then store them in the freezer for up to three months. To thaw, leave them in the fridge overnight.
Tips and Tricks
- Use cooking spray on the pan AND your hands to keep the dough from sticking to you.
- Evenly sprinkle the cookies and chocolate chips on top, so each bite has chocolatey goodness.
- For best results, allow the red velvet bars to cool completely before cutting. This way, they keep their shape and texture.
- Experiment with other flavors using a different cake mix or swapping the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips or nuts.
FAQs
Substitute another cake mix flavor and follow the rest of the recipe as written. However, this will change the flavor of the bars, so choose one that complements the chocolate topping.
Make sure to grease the baking pan thoroughly or line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will also allow you to lift them out easily.
While Oreo cookies add a unique texture and flavor, you can make these red velvet cake mix bars without them. Try a different cookie or omit them altogether.
The bars are done when the top starts to caramelize and turn brown. They will look undone but will firm up as they cool.
More Red Velvet Recipes Using Cake Mix
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Recipe
Red Velvet Bars
Red Velvet Bars are a simple dessert to make. With a cake mix base, Oreo cookies, and chocolate chips, they make a delicious treat to make for parties.
Ingredients
- 1 - 15.25 ounce red velvet cake mix
- 8 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 18 Oreo cookies, broken in chunks
- 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup hot fudge topping
- ½ cup miniature chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick baking spray.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the dry cake mix, butter, egg, and vanilla until a soft dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. The dough will be sticky, so spray your hands with nonstick baking spray to keep it from sticking.
- Sprinkle the Oreo cookie chunks on top of the dough.
- Stir 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk and ¼ cup of hot fudge together until it is completely mixed.
- Drizzle slowly over the dough and cookie chunks. Sprinkle the top with the chocolate chips.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares. Store in a sealed container.
Notes
- Use cooking spray on the pan AND your hands to keep the dough from sticking to you.
- Evenly sprinkle the cookies and chocolate chips on top, so each bite has chocolatey goodness.
- For best results, allow the red velvet bars to cool completely before cutting. This way, they keep their shape and texture.
- Experiment with other flavors using a different cake mix or swapping the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips or nuts.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 240Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 161mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published in January 2014. It was updated and then republished in January 2024.
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Michelle
It says 1/4 hot fudge. Is that 1/4 cup or 1/4 of the jar?
Jocelyn
I'm so sorry about that. It should be a 1/4 cup. Thank you for letting me know. I have it fixed in the recipe now. Happy baking!
Lindsey
I have made many, many, many of Jocelyn's recipes! She is fail proof in my opinion. 🙂 I am not a huge fan of red velvet either, but these were amazing! The one issue I had was that the edges got too crispy/crunchy where the condensed milk "hardened". Not too sure what else I could have done. I baked them 30 minutes total. Center was perfect. Maybe I should have pushed the cake mixture up the sides slightly???? Definitely not a deal breaker. I will make them again!
Lindsey
Update: After sitting overnight, the chewy edges turned smooth and blended into the bars perfectly. Also, this fudge brownie was good the first day, but it was even better on day two!
Jenny
This is soo good. My mistake was I put it in 8x8 pan so the fudge bubbled up in the middle. It didn't look good but taste was amazing. (Even with my error) this is a fool proof recipe you can't go wrong it'll still taste good. I'm making it again NOW using a 9 X 13 pan.
Laurie
You ROCK for linking up this week to Tip Me Tuesday. {high fives}
Just a heads up, Tip Junkie can help you index your blog more effectively if you upload at least 2 images, 2 steps, and blog post URL into your Tip Junkie craft room!
Simply login and click "add a project" on your profile page to get started. {yep I've got your back!}
~ Laurie {a.k.a. the Tip Junkie}
Link ~ http://www.tipjunkie.com/how-to-add-a-craft-room-project-on-tip-junkie
Jessica
um, i can hardly wait to try these. delish.
Kristen Duke
Red velvet, Oreo, and hot fudge sounds like the perfect combo!
Tonia
What pretty bars these are! Perfect for Valentine's Day!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor
I'm a red velvet freak and these are calling my name!! Looks amazing!!
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen
I spotted these on Pinterest and had to pin right away!! They look amazing! I'm going to make them for Valentine's Day. I LOVE red velvet and I'm dreaming of them with the oreos now... 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
Such a gorgeous photo!! Love these bars!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks girl!!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
How do you consistently manage to put together all of the flavors I crave into one glorious treat?! I adore red velvet. I adore oreos. I adore fudge. I ADORE YOU JOCELYN! <3 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I totally adore you too!! 😉
Jennie @themessybakerblog
You just took red velvet to an entirely new level. Swoon!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jennie!!
Shea @ Dixie Chik Cooks
Love these!! You could slap Oreos in anything and my family would go crazy over it. I have to make these bars 🙂 Thanks for sharing - pinning!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you for pinning Shea!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout
Bring on the red velvet! Oreos and red velvet are totally made for each other 🙂 These bars are just the bomb Jocelyn! Pinned 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Trish!! 🙂
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar
These look awesome Jocelyn! I'm loving red velvet recently - and with Oreos it sounds totally addicting!
Kelly
Wow, these bars look incredible Jocelyn! I have been on a Red Velvet kick lately and combining RV with Oreos and adding hot fudge sauce sounds so amazing and decadent! Love how much yumminess is stuffed into these heavenly bars 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Kelly!! 🙂
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen
In my opinion, you can't have enough recipes with Red Velvet! And I love that you added all that chocolate to them! Yummy!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Renee!!
Chels R.
These are some really yummy looking bars. Sadly, I fall into the category of not a fan of red velvet. I blame my brother for burning us all out on Red Velvet cake every year for his bday, lol!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, too funny! 😉 Thanks Chels!