Recipe Ingredients:

Red Velvet Bar Base:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp red food coloring
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup M&M’S Milk Chocolate, chopped

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz brick-style low-fat plain cream cheese
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ (icing) sugar, sifted
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup M&M’S Milk Chocolate

Directions:

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

1. Red Velvet Bar Base: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 8-inch square metal baking pan and line bottom with parchment paper.
2. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In large bowl, stir together melted butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until well combined. Using electric mixer, beat in egg until incorporated. Beat in food coloring, vinegar and vanilla until blended. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Fold in M&M’S Milk Chocolate. Scrape batter into prepared baking pan; smooth top.
4. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Let cool completely on wire rack.
5. Cream Cheese Frosting: In medium bowl, using electric mixer, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in butter until blended. On low speed, beat in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth.
6. Spread cream cheese frosting over red velvet bar base. Sprinkle with M&M’S. Cut into 12 bars.

Tip: Drizzle bars with melted milk chocolate for an extra-festive Valentine’s Day treat.

Nutrition Facts

Per 1 bar

• Calories 250
• Fat 12g
• Saturated Fat 8g
• Cholesterol 45mg
• Sodium 160mg
• Carbohydrate 33g
• Fiber 1g
• Sugars 23g
• Protein 4g