A perfectly romantic treat in a perfectly sized pan, these Red Velvet Swirl Skillet Brownies for Two, swirled with sweetened mascarpone, should be on every special occasion menu – no box mix required!

So let’s talk brownies.
No matter how I feel about Valentine’s Day, I’ll never say no to a good brownie – or multiple brownies – even if they’re all red & lovey-dovey. That’s a situation that easily gets a little squirrely since, before you know it, half the pan is gone. And after you wake up from the sugar coma, you realize you’re still the only one home so…oops?
No dinner for you. For, like, the next 3 nights. #CalorieOverload.
Thank goodness for adorably small cast iron skillets and scaled down “brownies for two” recipes.
This page includes step by step instructions, as well as tips and notes. If you’d like to skip all that, feel free to scroll down to the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. There is also a “jump to recipe” button at the top of the page if you’d rather not exercise your scrolling finger!
First things first: these brownies are FUDGY.
If you’ve come looking for cake-like brownies, scroll on up to that search button and look elsewhere.
When it comes to brownies, I personally prefer the fudgy kind. Those gooey, chewy, almost underbaked bites are incomparable. Those comfort food cravings are nothing to mess around with.
Curling up with skillet brownies, a bottle of wine, and your sweetie any night of the week sounds like a winning date night to me.
I’ll admit, the red velvet element to these brownies was a last-minute decision (Valentine’s Day after all). One that required a special trip to the store for food coloring, since I was out. Don’t feel obligated to use it if you don’t have it – I’m pretty confident that these skillet brownies will taste fabulous without any additional color.
As far as the swirl goes? Usually, red velvet desserts are paired with cream cheese. Now I am not sophisticated by any means, but if I told you that I only had mascarpone in my fridge…would you judge me as such?
I promise this was a first. I usually buy cream cheese in bulk (because food blogger), and mascarpone is a very specific ingredient that doesn’t get too much use in our house.
But boy, does this swirl pair well with these red velvet brownies. SO WELL.
Love red velvet desserts? You’ve gotta try these red velvet crinkle cookies, too!
The ice cream is self-explanatory. Who eats skillet brownies – in a perfectly good serving vessel – without it?
I promise a scoop or two will take this sweet little dessert from ordinary to heart-pounding deliciousness in no time.
Here’s to overblown holidays…and still loving the beautiful things about them in spite of (my)yourself.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – this can be made gluten-free by using a 1:1 GF flour!
- Granulated sugar
- Dutch-process cocoa powder
- Kosher salt
- Vegetable or coconut oil
- Eggs – bring them to room temperature before beginning, which helps all of the ingredients blend evenly.
- Red food coloring – optional.
- White vinegar
- Vanilla extract
- Chocolate chips – dark, milk, white, or a combination of any.
- Mascarpone cheese – or cream cheese, if that’s all you have.
For exact ingredient measurements and recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
How to make Skillet Brownies for two
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix in oil, egg, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla, whisking until well blended. Fold in chocolate chips.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together mascarpone, sugar, and the egg yolk until smooth.
- Pour half of the brownie batter into a small, 6.5-inch Cast Iron Skillet. Dollop half of the mascarpone cream on top, then pour in the remaining brownie batter. Drop spoonfuls on top and swirl them gently through the batter with a skewer or knife. Sprinkle on additional chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake 24-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve from the skillet, warm or at room temperature, with a scoop of ice cream.
Looking for smaller portions? All of these are perfect for two!
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Red Velvet Swirl Skillet Brownies for Two
Ingredients
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
- Pinch kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 egg room temperature
- ½ tablespoon red food coloring
- ¼ teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Mascarpone Cream:
- 4 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix in oil, egg, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla, whisking until well blended. Fold in chocolate chips.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together mascarpone, sugar, and the egg yolk until smooth.
- Pour half of the brownie batter into skillet. Dollop half of the mascarpone cream on top, then pour in the remaining brownie batter. Drop spoonfuls on top and swirl them gently through the batter with a skewer or knife. Sprinkle on additional chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake 24-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve from the skillet, warm or at room temperature, with a scoop of ice cream.
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