Red Velvet Valentine's Day Brownies

I've made a ton of brownies on this blog, ones oozing with caramel, some filled with mint chocolate chips and others with decadent frosting.

But, I have never made red velvet brownies, until this past week when I figured they would be perfect for Valentine's Day.

We don't really get into Valentine's Day at our house.  You see the husband's birthday is two days prior, so we usually celebrate that {if we are lucky and can find a babysitter, maybe a dinner out} or I make him a nice dinner and whatever dessert he requests.  So when this holiday comes along two days later, we kind of feel like we already celebrated.

This year he works both on his birthday and on the holiday, extra long, weird hour days.....so this little brownie may be the only celebration I get!

You see, sometimes I just have to treat myself.

But, for those of you out there looking for a sweet, easy dessert to make for your significant other, these are the brownies.

Homemade and extra-fudgy.  I dare you not to eat the whole pan.  Or at least three.  Better yet, give them a doll-up of ice cream and you'll just die.  Drizzle with hot fudge sauce?  Oh, I cannot express the joy in words.

Red Velvet Brownies

{Print this Recipe!}

1 1/3 c. flour

1/4 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

1 2/3 c. sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

4 squeezable packets Nestle Toll House Unsweetened Chocolate

2 eggs

2 T. water

1 1/2 t. vanilla extract

1 bottle red food coloring {.3 fl oz.}

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 baking pan.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl.  Stir together sugar, butter, unsweetened chocolate, eggs, water, vanilla and food coloring vigorously in a large bowl.  Sift in flour mixture and fold to combine.  Spread into the baking pan.  Bake for 18-22 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted comes out slightly sticky.  Cool completely.  Cut into bars {or hearts!}

Sprinkle with sugar or powdered sugar if desired.

We all know chocolate is most often the dessert of choice around Valentine's Day.  What is your favorite?  An assorted box of chocolates?  A cookie?  Pudding?  Cheesecake?

You know me.  I like them all.