Cookies and Cream Red Velvet Brownies Recipe
If you love the combination of red velvet and cookies and cream, then this recipe for Cookies and Cream Red Velvet Brownies is a treat you can’t miss! These brownies feature the rich, indulgent flavors of red velvet cake, combined with the crunchy, creamy goodness of Oreo cookies, resulting in a decadent dessert that is both visually stunning and mouthwateringly delicious.
Perfect for any occasion — whether it’s a holiday gathering, birthday party, or simply an indulgent treat — these brownies are sure to impress anyone with a sweet tooth. The chewy, fudgy red velvet base is complemented by a delightful swirl of Oreo cookies, making each bite a heavenly combination of chocolate, cream, and a slight tang from the buttermilk.
Why You’ll Love Cookies and Cream Red Velvet Brownies
- Delicious Red Velvet Flavor: The red velvet base of the brownies gives them that signature flavor, a perfect balance of chocolatey richness and a slight tang from buttermilk.
- Cookies and Cream Swirl: The Oreo cookie pieces in the brownies add both crunch and creaminess, making them a fun twist on traditional brownies.
- Fudgy and Chewy: These brownies have a perfect fudgy texture that melts in your mouth while still holding their shape.
- Visually Stunning: The deep red color of the brownies, coupled with the contrasting black-and-white Oreo pieces, makes these brownies as gorgeous as they are tasty.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cookies and Cream Red Velvet Brownies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Lining the pan with parchment paper will make it much easier to remove the brownies once they’re baked.
Step 2: Mix the Red Velvet Brownie Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth. This will form the base of your brownie batter. Next, add the eggs, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Whisk everything together until fully combined.
Once the wet ingredients are combined, add the red food coloring to achieve that beautiful red velvet color. If you’re using gel food coloring, 2 tablespoons will usually be enough, but liquid food coloring might require a bit more.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients together to distribute everything evenly.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense brownies. The batter will be thick and rich, just how it should be!
Step 3: Prepare the Oreo Cookie Swirl
In a medium bowl, chop the Oreo cookies into chunks. You can use a knife or simply break them up by hand. The chunks don’t need to be uniform, and the varying sizes will add to the delicious texture of the brownies. Set aside.
Next, in a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the heavy cream until it’s just beginning to simmer (don’t let it boil). Once it’s heated, pour the cream into the bowl with the chopped Oreos and stir to coat them in the cream. This will allow the cookies to soften slightly, giving them that classic cookies and cream texture in the brownies. If you prefer extra sweetness, you can add powdered sugar to the cream mixture.
Step 4: Layer the Brownie Batter and Oreo Swirl
Now it’s time to assemble your brownies. Pour half of the red velvet brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Then, sprinkle the Oreo and cream mixture over the top of the brownie layer. Gently spoon the remaining brownie batter over the top of the Oreos. Use a spatula to smooth it out, but don’t worry if it’s not perfectly even.
Take a skewer or butter knife and swirl the brownie batter with the Oreo-cream mixture. The goal here is to create a marbled effect, so make a few figure-eight swirls through the batter to distribute the cookies and cream evenly, but don’t overdo it — you still want to see some of the distinct layers of the red velvet and the Oreo swirl.
Step 5: Bake the Brownies
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. You want the brownies to be slightly underbaked in the center for that perfect fudgy texture.
Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This will take about 1-2 hours. If you’re in a hurry, you can place them in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process.
Step 6: Add the Optional Toppings
Once the brownies have cooled completely, it’s time to add some extra flair if desired. Sprinkle crushed Oreos over the top of the brownies for extra crunch, and drizzle with melted white chocolate to make them even more indulgent. The white chocolate adds a nice contrast to the red velvet flavor and complements the cookies and cream swirl beautifully.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
When the brownies are fully cooled and the toppings are set, slice them into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference. You should be able to cut about 12-16 brownies from this recipe, depending on how large you want your servings.
Enjoy these decadent brownies as they are, or pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat!
Tips for Perfect Cookies and Cream Red Velvet Brownies
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in dense brownies, so stir just until the ingredients are combined.
- Use High-Quality Cocoa: The flavor of the cocoa powder plays a significant role in the taste of your brownies. Use a high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the best flavor.
- Check for Doneness: Keep an eye on the brownies as they bake. The edges should look set, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs. If the toothpick is covered in wet batter, they need more time.
- Don’t Skip the Buttermilk: Buttermilk is essential for the classic red velvet flavor and helps achieve the right texture for the brownies. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by mixing 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar with 1 cup milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Customizing the Recipe
While this recipe is delicious on its own, you can customize it in many ways. Here are a few ideas for variations:
- Add More Oreo Chunks: If you’re a huge fan of cookies and cream, feel free to add more Oreos to the batter or sprinkle more on top for extra crunch.
- Use a Different Cookie: Swap out the Oreos for other cookies, such as chocolate chip cookies, chocolate-covered biscuits, or even biscuits like Biscoff for a unique twist.
- Make It Nutty: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the brownie batter for added crunch and flavor.
- Swirl in Frosting: For a richer experience, swirl some cream cheese frosting into the batter before baking for an added tanginess that complements the red velvet flavor.
Conclusion
These Cookies and Cream Red Velvet Brownies are the perfect treat for anyone who loves indulgent desserts with a fun twist. The soft and fudgy red velvet base paired with the crunchy, creamy Oreo cookie swirl creates an irresistible combination that will leave everyone coming back for more. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a decadent dessert, these brownies are sure to be a hit.
Cookies and Cream Red Velvet Brownies Recipe

Ingredients
- For the Brownie Base:
- 1 box of red velvet cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup water or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Cookies and Cream Layer:
- 10–12 Oreo cookies (or similar chocolate sandwich cookies), roughly chopped
- 1 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or whole milk)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the brownie base:
- In a large bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, water (or milk), and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
3. Make the cookies and cream layer:
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add the heavy cream (or milk) and continue to mix until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Stir in the chopped Oreo cookies, ensuring they are well-coated in the cream cheese mixture.
4. Assemble the brownies:
- Gently spoon the cookies and cream mixture over the brownie batter. Use a spatula to spread it evenly over the top.
- Using a knife or toothpick, swirl the cookies and cream mixture into the brownie batter to create a marbled effect.
5. Bake:
- Bake the brownies for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (it may have a few crumbs but shouldn't be wet).
- Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Serve:
- Once cooled, cut into squares and enjoy!