Red Velvet Bars

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 (18.25 ounce) box German chocolate cake mix*
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 ounce red food coloring

Cream Cheese Layer

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan lightly with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat all cake ingredients with an electric mixer on low speed until combined.
3. Press cake mixture into prepared pan; set aside.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until creamy.
5. Add eggs and vanilla extract, beating to combine.
6. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake layer.
7. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until bars barely start to pull away from sides.
8. Cool completely before cutting.

Notes

* 18.25 ounce boxes of cake mix have been replaced by 16.5 ounce and 15.25 ounce boxes. To compensate for the volume loss in a 16 ounce box, whisk 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour into the dry cake mix before proceeding with the recipe. To compensate for the volume loss in a 15.25 ounce box, add 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder.