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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capturing joy with kristen duke
Girlfriend, these look amazing!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you 🙂
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
Love that you added hot fudge to red velvet! These sound so good!
Chelsea @ Gal on a Mission
Jocelyn - These look wonderful! I have been baking so many red velvet goodies here lately as well. Mostly everyone loves red velvet, especially for Valentine's Day.
Red velvet + Oreos = Heaven! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Chelsea!!
Angela @ The Spice Rack
These really look amazing! Both delicious and visually beautiful with the red from the red velvet cake. Oh, I'm soooo guilty of eating way more than a spoonful of sweetened condensed milk when cooking with it! It is one of those foods I can only describe as divine!
Love your blog and look forward to trying your recipes!
Thanks Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Angela!! 🙂
Marcie
These look incredible, Jocelyn! Red velvet and Oreos is one combination that I have to try very soon. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Marcie!!
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker
These are the type of brownies that I wouldn't be able to eat just one, I would have to eat at least 4 or 5! I've never tasted red velvet and Oreo in a brownie!
Taylor @ FoodFaithFitness
Oreos, red velvet and hot fudge?! Pretty sure that these bars are everything I could ever want in life, on a plate!
Jocelyn Brubaker
My thoughts exactly! 😉
Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com
Red velvet flavor is nothing special to me, but I admit I am a sucker for the bright red color...bring on the food dye! I would have to do what you did and add massive amounts of chocolate--you are obviously my dessert soul mate!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, dessert soul mate-I love it! 😉
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
I don't love Red Velvet, but I feel obligated to make recipes with it. Turns out some of them I actually really do like! But you will hardly ever see me getting a Red Velvet Cupcake at the bakery. I love the chocolaaty goodness in these bars!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I always gravitate towards the chocolatey goodness too!! 😉
Happy Valley Chow
Oh man those look absolutely amazing! Be sure to stop by my link party, Om Nom Nom Friday (Even though it's Sunday) and share some of your delicious creations!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Eric!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
They look delish! I have some red velvet bars for a recipe this week and pretty much can't get enough of the flavor. Love that you used Oreos, too! pinned
Jocelyn Brubaker
I know, love red velvet!! Thanks girl!!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
These look AMAZING! Love it!
michael
Oh wow, those looks delicious!!! I love anything chocolate and anything red velvet. I am going to give your recipe a try, just printed your post. I linked to your site from another blog and I am glad I did, you have a lot of wonderful recipes and nice pictures!
If you get a chance, check out my recent post, Making Crème Brûlée http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/making-creme-brulee/
Michael 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Michael!! 🙂 So glad you are here!
Beth @ bethcakes
Oh my gosh, red velvet and Oreos is one of my favorite flavor combinations ever! And you covered it in hot fudge and more chocolate. Gah. These bars are incredible! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Beth!! 🙂
Marti
The combination of red velvet and oreo's sound amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe! 🙂
Marti
Emily @ Life on Food
My dad loves Red Velvet and he is coming to visit next weekend. I have been hunting for the perfect recipe. I think I found it!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yay! Let me know how he likes this!! 🙂
Mary Frances
You ahd me at red velvet. Oh wait, no it was fudge. Oh no, it was really the oreo part! These look so dark rich and perfect for Valetine's! Love that they're made in one pan and don't have two dozen ingredients yet still are show stoppers! Yum!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thank you Mary Frances!! 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
OMG these red velvet fudge bars are the stuff of dreams! They are incredible Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks girl!!
Johlene
You said Red Velvet, Oreo and Fudge.. all of this in 1 bar! Oh wow!! 🙂 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, ma'am!! 😉
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
I wish these were waiting for me on my counter right now!