Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

This week's baking adventure brings back one of my favorite recipes with a twist.  For his birthday a coworker requested something with red velvet.  I've done cupcakes, cakes and cake balls with red velvet and they are always met with a great response, but I wanted to try something different.  I thought about taking a stab at a knock off recipe for the Cheesecake Factory's Red Velvet Cheesecake but alas, I don't have a spring-form pan.  So I scrapped the cheesecake idea and opted for red velvet brownies. These decadent treats are richer than cake and sinfully delicious.  They are also extremely easy and use basic ingredients I have on hand most of the time.  Here's the delectable recipe.

Brownie Recipe

• 1 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
• 3/4 cup butter $
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs $
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (1-oz.) bottle red liquid food coloring
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Cream Cheese Icing
• Garnish: white chocolate curls (or chocolate chips if you are lazy)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.
2. Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Whisk in sugar. Add eggs, 1 at a time, whisking just until blended after each addition. Gently stir in flour and next 4 ingredients. Pour mixture into prepared pan.
3.  Bake at 350° for 44 to 48 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 2 hours).
4.  Lift brownies from pan, using foil sides as handles; gently remove foil.
5.  Spread Cream Cheese Frosting on top of brownies, and cut into 16 squares. 
6. Garnish, if desired.

Icing Recipe:

• 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened $
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened $
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

1. Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, beating until blended. Stir in vanilla.