Bright green, fudgy, and swirled with tangy cream cheese frosting, these Green Velvet Brownies are a showstopping twist on a classic treat. They’re perfect for holidays, parties, or any time you want a colorful dessert that still feels cozy.
The batter is quick to mix and forgiving, which makes this a great weeknight bake. The frosting is simple — just cream cheese and powdered sugar — and it brightens each bite.
If you love the drama of red velvet, you’ll enjoy this color-forward spin. For more brownie inspiration, try our best homemade red velvet brownies for comparison.
Why You’ll Love This Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
– Eye-catching bright green color perfect for holidays and themed parties.
– Fudgy, slightly cakey texture that holds up to a creamy frosting.
– Quick to make with pantry-friendly ingredients.
– Easy frosting that adds tang without overpowering chocolate chips.
– Versatile — customize with nuts, white chocolate, or extracts.
– Kid-friendly and ideal for school bake sales or St. Patrick’s Day.
The flavor is a chocolate-forward brownie with a slight tang from the cream cheese frosting and a visual pop from the green food coloring. Texture lands between dense and cakey — fudgy in the center with tender edges and soft crumbs. The chocolate chips melt into pockets of bittersweet bite beneath a silky layer of cream cheese frosting.
"Five stars — these were the hit at our St. Patrick’s party. Fudgy, colorful, and that frosting is dreamy." — A happy reader
Key Ingredients for Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate chips: Use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for balance against the sweet frosting. Buy high-quality chips with a higher cocoa content for more complex chocolate flavor. If you substitute with white chocolate chips, the brownies will taste sweeter and lose some chocolate depth.
Butter: Unsalted butter gives the best control over salt levels in the finished brownies. Look for European-style butter if you want a richer flavor, but regular unsalted butter works perfectly. If you swap in oil, expect a more cake-like crumb and less rich mouthfeel.
Eggs: Eggs build structure and help create that fudgy yet slightly cakey texture. Use large eggs at room temperature for even incorporation. Replacing eggs with a flax or chia egg will lighten the texture and change the lift; results will be denser.
Cream cheese: Full-fat cream cheese produces the creamiest, most stable frosting with the cleanest tang. Soften it to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps. Using a low-fat spread will make the frosting runnier and less flavorful.
Full Ingredient List for Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
– Chocolate chips
– Butter
– Sugar
– Eggs
– Flour
– Baking powder
– Salt
– Vanilla extract
– Green food coloring
– Cream cheese
– Powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions for Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Preheat and prepare the pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a baking pan. Use an 8×8-inch pan for thicker brownies or a 9×9-inch for slightly thinner ones.
Pro Tip: The pan should feel evenly warmed when preheated; a lined pan should show parchment overhanging two sides for easy removal.
Step 2: Melt the butter and combine with sugar
Melt the butter in a saucepan or microwave, then stir in the sugar until glossy and mostly dissolved. This helps dissolve sugar crystals and gives a silkier crumb.
Pro Tip: The mixture should sheen and be smooth; small sugar granules may remain, but it should not be grainy.
Step 3: Add eggs, vanilla, and green food coloring
Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition to create an emulsion. Stir in vanilla extract and enough green food coloring to reach your desired shade.
Pro Tip: The batter should become lighter in color and slightly thickened; the green should be even without streaks.
Step 4: Combine dry ingredients and fold in
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently until just combined to avoid overworking the gluten.
Pro Tip: The batter should look uniform with no large pockets of flour; small streaks are okay but avoid vigorous mixing.
Step 5: Fold in chocolate chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips so they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Pro Tip: The chips should be suspended throughout the batter, not sinking to the bottom; if batter is too thin, chill for a few minutes.
Step 6: Pour into the prepared pan
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use a spatula to smooth the top level for even baking.
Pro Tip: The surface should be smooth with no high peaks; tap the pan once on the counter to release air bubbles.
Step 7: Bake until set
Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to preserve fudginess.
Pro Tip: The center should jiggle slightly but not be liquid; edges will pull away slightly from the pan.
Step 8: Make the cream cheese frosting
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and spreadable. Adjust powdered sugar for sweetness and texture.
Pro Tip: The frosting should be thick enough to hold swirls; no visible lumps and a satin finish.
Step 9: Cool completely, then frost
Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before frosting; warm brownies will make the frosting melt and slide.
Pro Tip: The top should be room temperature and firm to the touch before you spread the frosting.
Step 10: Slice and serve
Slice the frosted brownies into squares, wiping your knife between cuts for clean edges. Serve at room temperature for best texture.
Pro Tip: The cut edges should be clean with a thin ribbon of frosting; chilling slightly before slicing gives the cleanest cuts.
Expert Tips for Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
– Temperature tip: Bring eggs and cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to ensure even texture. Cold ingredients cause curdling and lumps.
– Baking tip: Use an oven thermometer to confirm 350°F; many ovens run hot or cold and 10–15°F makes a big difference in fudginess.
– Texture troubleshooting: If brownies are cakier than expected, reduce baking powder slightly next time or shorten baking time by 2–4 minutes.
– Equipment tip: Use an 8×8-inch pan for fudgier brownies; a glass pan can brown edges faster, so reduce time by 5 minutes if using glass.
– Frosting tip: For a tangier frosting, add 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice; for smoother frosting, sift powdered sugar before mixing.
– Common mistake: Overmixing after adding flour develops gluten and causes a tough crumb; fold gently until no dry streaks remain.
– Visual cue tip: If the center looks set but a toothpick has moist crumbs, that’s ideal — remove from oven and cool to retain fudginess.
– Serving tip: Let brownies sit 10 minutes after frosting to let the frosting set slightly for cleaner slices.
Storage & Freezing for Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Fridge storage: Store frosted brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep them in a single layer or separate layers with parchment to avoid sticking.
Freezer storage: Freeze unfrosted brownie slabs wrapped tightly in plastic and foil for up to 3 months. Freeze frosted brownies on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container.
Thawing: Thaw frozen unfrosted brownies at room temperature for 1–2 hours. For frosted brownies, thaw in the refrigerator overnight to keep frosting stable.
Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to soften and revive fudginess. Do not microwave too long or the frosting will get runny.
Best containers: Use rigid, airtight containers for longer fridge life. For freezing, wrap in plastic wrap followed by foil to prevent freezer burn.
Variations & Substitutions for Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
White chocolate swirl: Replace semi-sweet chips with white chocolate chips and add a ribbon of melted white chocolate on top of the batter before baking. The result is sweeter, creamier pockets and a brighter contrast under the frosting.
Mint chocolate: Add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the batter and use dark chocolate chips. The mint will lift the chocolate and pair beautifully with the tangy frosting.
Nutty crunch: Stir in 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter. Expect a crunchy contrast to the fudgy crumb and more complex nuttiness in every bite.
Citrus cream cheese: Add 1 teaspoon finely grated lime or lemon zest to the frosting. This brightens the frosting and cuts sweetness, producing a fresher, lighter finish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Q: Can I make these brownies without green food coloring?
A: Yes. The color is purely visual. Omit the food coloring for a classic chocolate brownie; you’ll still get the same taste and texture. For natural color, use a small amount of spinach puree or matcha — but these will slightly alter flavor and moisture.
Q: How do I get ultra-fudgy brownies every time?
A: Use slightly less flour and avoid overbaking. Check at 22–25 minutes depending on pan size; remove when the center has moist crumbs on a toothpick. Cooling in the pan intensifies fudginess.
Q: Can I pipe the cream cheese frosting instead of spreading it?
A: Yes, if the frosting is stiff enough. Chill it briefly if too soft, then transfer to a piping bag. For decorative piping, add 1 cup powdered sugar and refrigerate 10–15 minutes to firm up.
Q: Why did my frosting become runny after spreading on warm brownies?
A: Warm brownies melt the fats in the frosting. Always cool brownies completely before frosting, or chill the pan slightly to ensure the spread stays stable.
Q: Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?
A: Substitute an equal weight of a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Expect a slightly different crumb; let the batter rest 10 minutes before baking to hydrate the flours.
Final Thoughts on Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
These Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting are an easy, festive bake that balances fudgy chocolate with tangy frosting and bold color. If you tried this recipe, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and pin it to Pinterest.
For a similar step-by-step inspiration, see Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting – Plain Chicken.
If you want a slightly different take, check out Green Velvet Brownies | Grinch Brownies – The Hint of Rosemary.
For a visual how-to guide, visit How to Make Green Velvet Brownies – Plain Chicken.
Green Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the brownies
- 1 cup Chocolate chips Use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
- 1/2 cup Butter Unsalted butter is preferred.
- 1 cup Sugar Granulated sugar.
- 2 large Eggs At room temperature.
- 1 cup Flour All-purpose flour.
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder For leavening.
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt To balance sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract For flavor.
- 1 tablespoon Green food coloring Adjust to desired shade.
For the frosting
- 8 ounces Cream cheese Full-fat, softened.
- 1 cup Powdered sugar Adjust for sweetness.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a baking pan.
- Melt the butter and stir in the sugar until glossy and mostly dissolved.
- Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each, and then stir in the vanilla and green food coloring.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Baking
- Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth.
- Allow brownies to cool completely before frosting.
Serving
- Slice the frosted brownies into squares and serve.
