How to make Red Velvet Cheesecake Dip

If you love the flavors of red velvet and cheesecake, you’re in for a treat! This creamy, tangy Red Velvet Cheesecake Dip is brilliantly red, bursting with red velvet flavor and the perfect quick dessert — no oven, no water bath and no chilling required. Mix this sweet treat up for Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s or just because.

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Overhead of a bowl of red velvet cheesecake dip, garnished with white and regular chocolate chips, and surrounded by dippers

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The BEST Red Velvet Dessert

People in my household are red velvet lovers. (Looking at you, Red Velvet Pancakes and Red Velvet Waffles.)

Why? They feel special and like the perfect kind of sweet treat. Also, when paired with cream cheese icing, these desserts strike that beautiful balance of sweet with a hint of cocoa, tangy and irresistible.

This recipe is no different… and we shared it with friends and neighbors during the recent ice storm that hit the state. It was a huge hit!

If you love an easy dessert dip that also LOOKS festive as all get out, this one’s for you!

Why I love this recipe:

First of all, LOOK at that color!

Second of all, could we talk about the taste? This dip is like if we combined classic red velvet with its beloved cream cheese frosting that is oftentimes served on the cake, cupcakes… and pretty much all red velvet desserts.

The cream cheese is nice and tangy. The powdered sugar adds some sweetness. The cocoa powder adds a hint of bitterness and adds in to the color. Then the red food coloring transforms the color into something that POPS.

Here are a few more things I love about it:

It tastes and feels like something special… but is actually so simple to put together. Just remember to soften the cream cheese or it’s going to be challenging to mix this up.
It pairs with a lot of dippers. While my girls loved this with graham crackers, I loved pairing this with salty pretzel crisps and sweet strawberry halves. You could use a plain cookie, like a vanilla wafer, shortbread or a drop sugar cookie, to dip into this, too.
Easy ingredients only. Unlike a lot of dessert dips, this one does not require Cool Whip, butter or heavy whipping cream as the base! We also don’t use red velvet cake mix to make this sweet dip.

More easy dessert dip recipes to try: Cheesecake Dip | Funfetti Dip | Dulce de Leche Dip | Chocolate Cheesecake Dip

Ingredients to make red velvet dip in bowls on a stoneware surface next to a pink linen

What you need to make this recipe:

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Large mixing bowl
An electric mixer (like a hand mixer or a stand mixer) and/or rubber spatula
Liquid measuring cup
Measuring cups and spoons and/or a kitchen scale

Let’s talk ingredients!

In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

Here is what you need to get at the grocery store:

Cream cheese — please use the full-fat cream cheese, as it blends up much more nicely than lower fat or nonfat cream cheese. Make sure it’s at room temperature, too, so it can easily be combined with the other ingredients.
Powdered sugar — this gives our dip a little sweetness. Measure it correctly so that it’s not too sweet.
Cocoa powder — you can use whatever type of unsweetened cocoa powder you’ve got in your house. This adds a little bitterness and color to the dip.
Kosher salt — I use medium grain kosher salt in all my baked goods. (Diamond Crystal is my favorite brand.) You can use a similarly sized sea salt.
Pure vanilla extract — use the best you can afford. This helps all the ingredients really come together and sing.
Red food coloring — I used traditional red coloring, and you can see the color we get out of it. I have not tried this recipe with a natural food dye. I also have not tried this with gel food coloring. While I’m sure both of these would work, you will have to tinker with the amount. (You’ll need at least the same amount for natural… probably more. You will need less for gel, but I do not know exactly how much less.)

Whipped cream cheese in a bowl on a stoneware surface

How to make this Red Velvet Cheesecake Dip recipe:

This is super simple to make, and it comes together in a single bowl.

Measure the softened block of cream cheese into a large bowl. Blend until smooth and creamy with a hand mixer.

Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder and two pinches of salt. Mix with the hand mixer until smooth and incorporated.

Food coloring and vanilla sit on top of other red velvet dip ingredients in a bowl before blending

Next, add the vanilla extract and red food coloring. Mix it up until well-combined, and give it a taste.

Gently spoon the dip into a serving bowl. Garnish with white chocolate chips and mini chocolate chips. You could also garnish with your favorite sprinkles or mini marshmallows, too!

Chill or serve immediately with your favorite fruits, crispy pretzels, Graham crackers, cookies or animal crackers..

Please note that the dip will firm up if you put it in the refrigerator.

how to store:

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Creamy Red Velvet Cheesecake Dip in a bowl with a black spatula

Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

If you’re looking for a low maintenance but easy win dessert for the Valentine’s Day, this dessert dip recipe is what you’re looking for.

Here is what I would do, if I were making this for a crowd:

Make it a platter. Gently scoop the dip into a bowl, and place it in the middle of a platter or a board, as shown in these photos. Scatter the various foods for dipping around it.
Double the recipe. The math is simple, and this way, you’ll have more for everyone to enjoy. (Or more for you after everyone leaves.)
Vary your dippers. Different people like different things. We loved sliced fruit (strawberries and apples for the win!), as well as Graham crackers and some thin vanilla wafter cookies with this. Thin pretzels are great, too. But you can add other cookies, like vanilla Oreos or even vanilla wafers.

A hand dips a vanilla wafer cookie into red velvet cheesecake dip

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this a lower fat recipe?

No. I do not recommend using lower fat or fat free cream cheese because that will affect the texture of the final dip.

A hand holds a dipped vanilla wafer cookie above red velvet dip above a platter

Quick tips and tricks to make Red Velvet Cheesecake Dip

Soften the cream cheese. This way, it’ll whip up more easily and form the base of the cheesecake dip.
Don’t skip the cocoa powder… that’s essential to red velvet flavors!
Use your favorite dippers. There are so many things you can dip into this dessert dip. Pretzel sticks, cookies, fruit and more.

When to share…

VALENTINE’S DAY: Make this for your sweetheart as an easy post-dinner treat.
GALENTINE’S: Same as above… but share it with friends with a fun cocktail, like Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Martinis.
KIDS PARTY: Whether it’s a class party or a gathering at your house, this is a beloved dip for kids for obvious

Here’s how you can make this Red Velvet Dip in your own kitchen…

Close up of a bowl holding red velvet dip, garnished with white and regular chocolate chips

Red Velvet Cheesecake Dip

Servings: servings

Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

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