1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper with non-stick spray or butter.

2. Make the Red Velvet Brownie Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.

Stir in the red food coloring and white vinegar. The vinegar helps enhance the red velvet flavor and keeps the brownies moist.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula until no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix.

3. Prepare the Cheesecake Swirl

In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated and lump-free.

4. Assemble the Brownies

Pour about ¾ of the red velvet brownie batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Reserve the remaining batter for swirling.

Gently pour the cheesecake mixture over the brownie layer, smoothing it out with a spatula. Dollop spoonfuls of the reserved red velvet batter on top of the cheesecake layer. Use a toothpick or skewer to create decorative swirls by gently dragging it through the batter.

5. Bake the Brownies

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly but not wet. A toothpick inserted into the brownies should come out with a few moist crumbs.

6. Cool and Slice

Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack using the parchment paper overhang. Let them cool completely before slicing into squares. For best results, refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Enjoy these brownies at room temperature or chilled. For an extra indulgence, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of melted white chocolate.