With the day of love right around the corner, it’s time to celebrate by twirling around the kitchen in a pink tutu… or whipping up something for those you love the most.  I inherited a wonderful trait from my mother.  Many of her loving gifts come straight from the kitchen.  She is always willing to prepare our favorites when we come to visit.  Now having my husband and son, I know the special feeling you get when you create a dish of actual love.  Tonight, while Chris was traveling, William and I drooled over these red velvet brownies.  We washed these decadent treats down with a cold glass of milk.  Don’t worry Chris, we saved some for you! – AF

Red Velvet Brownies with White Chocolate Frosting

Don't Drool on Your Keyboard

Red Velvet Brownies
3 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 oz red food coloring
2 t vanilla extract, divided
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 t salt

White Chocolate Frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 t vanilla extract
4 oz good-quality white chocolate, melted
1 – 2 T milk or heavy cream

Let’s make the brownies:
In a small bowl, slowly stir together the cocoa powder, food coloring, and 1 t vanilla into a thick paste until no lumps of cocoa remain. Set aside.
In a mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and remaining 1 t of vanilla, mix well.  Turn off mixer and add in the cocoa mixture.  Continue to mix until blended.  Slowly add in the flour and salt.  Mix on low speed, just until combined.  Scrap the sides of the bowl to make sure there is no remaining flour.  The batter should be a consistent red.
Pour the batter into a buttered and floured pan.  An 8X8 baking pan (regular brownies) or 9X13 baking pan (thinner brownies.)
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes (8X8) or 25 minutes (9X13). Cook until toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the brownies.  Allow brownies to completely cool in the pan on a baking rack about 1 hour.

Let’s make the frosting:
In a mixer, cream butter until soft and fluffy then beat in the vanilla.  With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in powdered sugar small amounts at time.  Add in the melted white chocolate and beat on low speed. With the mixer on low, add in milk 1 tbsp at a time and beat at medium speed until the frosting has reached the consistency you like it.
You have a couple of choices: Frost the brownies in the pan.  Or you can cut the brownies and frost individually.  You can cut the brownies in squares or in shapes.