Red Velvet Brownie Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Don't get me wrong I enjoy going out to eat, but I still like to always cook up a special meal for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.  Usually I make these meals as a surprise for people, but for Valentine's Day, I thought it would be fun to get my boyfriend to help out.  He was more than willing because he knew he'd get to be my taste tester!
This thick and chewy brownie cake is the perfect way to celebrate the romantic holiday.  We enjoyed our heart shaped cakes as a culmination to our heart shaped ravioli.

Thick & Chewy Red Velvet Brownie Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes 1 Medium Heart Cake & 2 Small Heart Cakes OR 1 8x8 

Brownie Cake Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/4 t salt
• 2 oz. bittersweet chocolate (60%), chopped
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, diced into 6 pieces
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 T liquid red food coloring
• 1 1/2 t vanilla extract
• 1 t apple cider vinegar
• 2 large eggs

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 t vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 t liquid red food coloring (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a medium heart shaped pan/2 small heart shaped pans or an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with buttered parchment paper (use parchment paper for an clean transfer after baking)
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside
3. To a microwave safe bowl, add chopped chocolate and butter and heat mixture in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until melted and smooth
4. Add sugar to melted chocolate mixture, and stir to combined
5. Mix in red food coloring, vanilla and apple cider vinegar
6. Stir in eggs
7. Add flour mixture and mix just until combined
8. Pour into prepared baking dish, spread into and even layer
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean
10. While the cake is baking, make the frosting by whipping the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy; about 4-5 minutes
11. Add the liquid food coloring, vanilla, and powdered sugar and continue to whip until pale and fluffy
12. Once baked, transfer the cake to wire rack to cool completely then frost with cream cheese frosting and decorate once cool

Adapted From Cooking Classy