Sweet Crimson Delight: Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

Decadent chocolate cookies with a stunning crimson hue never fail to spark joy at any gathering.

These red velvet cookies blend rich cocoa undertones with a vibrant scarlet color that catches every eye.

Soft, chewy, and impossibly elegant, they transform an ordinary dessert into a showstopping treat.

Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious touch that perfectly complements the deep chocolate notes.

Southern bakers have long cherished this recipe as a beloved classic with irresistible charm.

Baking these cookies fills your kitchen with an enchanting aroma that beckons sweet-toothed friends and family.

Dive into this delightful recipe and create a batch of cookies that promises pure indulgence.

What Goes Into Red Velvet Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cookie dough together, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep red color, opt for unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa for intense taste.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, ensure it's fresh and not expired for best results.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for smooth distribution.

• Butter: Creates creamy, rich base and helps cookies brown, select unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel notes, look for soft, clump-free brown sugar.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create crisp edges, choose pure cane sugar for best quality.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor complexity, choose pure vanilla extract for authentic taste.
• Red Food Coloring: Creates signature vibrant red hue, select gel food coloring for more concentrated color.
• Vinegar: Activates baking soda and enhances texture, white distilled vinegar works best.

• White Chocolate Chips: Adds creamy sweetness and visual contrast, choose high-quality chips that melt smoothly.

Tools To Whip Up Red Velvet Cookies Easily

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing ingredients.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients evenly.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Makes creaming butter and sugar quick and smooth.
• Rubber spatula: Great for folding in white chocolate chips and scraping bowl sides.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Baking sheet: Needed for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Prevents cookies from sticking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 164 kcal

Servings: 23

Instructions For Baking Red Velvet Cookies Perfectly

• Flour Fusion

Create a harmonious dry mixture by whisking cocoa-infused flour with baking soda and a hint of salt. This foundation sets the stage for delectable red velvet magic.

• Butter Bliss

Cream together soft butter and sugars in a rhythmic dance, transforming them into a smooth, luxurious base that promises rich flavor and tender texture.

• Color and Character

Introduce an egg, splash of vanilla, vibrant red coloring, and a touch of tangy vinegar. These ingredients will breathe life and personality into your cookie dough.

• Gentle Merger

Softly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, blending with a delicate hand to maintain the cookie’s signature velvety smoothness.

• Chocolate Whispers

Tenderly fold white chocolate chips throughout the dough, creating pockets of creamy surprise that will delight every bite.

Fun Ways To Add To Red Velvet Cookies

• Vibrant Coloring Trick: Use gel food coloring for a deeper, more intense red hue without adding extra liquid that might change cookie texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Chill cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies with rich flavor development.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies safe for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising taste.
• Cream Cheese Drizzle: After cooling, create a simple cream cheese glaze by mixing softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla to complement the classic red velvet profile.
• Portion Control Pro: Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and even baking, ensuring each cookie looks professionally crafted and cooks consistently.

How To Serve Red Velvet Cookies With Style

• Romantic Date Night Dessert: Serve these red velvet cookies on a elegant platter with a dusting of powdered sugar, creating a sweet moment perfect for sharing with your special someone.
• Decadent Cream Cheese Pairing: Create a quick dipping sauce by mixing softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, complementing the cookie's rich red velvet flavor profile.
• Festive Holiday Presentation: Arrange cookies on a decorative holiday plate, garnishing with festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes for a celebratory winter touch that adds visual appeal and extra crunch.
• Coffee Shop Style Treat: Plate these cookies alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate or cappuccino, transforming your homemade dessert into a cafe-worthy experience that feels indulgent and comforting.

Keep Red Velvet Cookies Fresh In Storage

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring they maintain their soft texture and rich flavor.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months for quick sweet treats anytime.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for 24 hours before baking to enhance the deep red velvet flavor and create a more complex taste profile.
• Room Temperature Tip: Allow refrigerated or frozen cookies to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore their perfect soft and chewy consistency.

Velvety Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Red velvet cookies showcase classic Southern charm in a delightful sweet treat. Chocolate and cream cheese merge perfectly to create an irresistible dessert you’ll savor with pure joy.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (170g) white chocolate chips
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp red food coloring (liquid or gel)
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, creating a smooth, uniform dry mixture that ensures consistent cookie texture.
2. Creaming: Whip butter with brown and granulated sugars using an electric mixer until the blend transforms into a light, airy, and pale configuration.
3. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend egg into the sugar-butter base, then introduce vanilla extract, vibrant red food coloring, and vinegar, whisking until a uniform crimson mixture forms.
4. Dough Development: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture with a spatula, stirring minimally to maintain a tender cookie consistency, then gently fold white chocolate chips throughout the dough.
5. Chilling: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to solidify texture and enhance flavor melding, which prevents excessive spreading during baking.
6. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating an ideal surface for cookie placement.
7. Baking: Portion chilled dough into rounded tablespoons on prepared sheets, spacing them to allow gentle expansion, and bake until edges set and centers remain slightly soft.
8. Cooling: Rest cookies briefly on baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to complete cooling, maintaining their delicate structural integrity.

Notes

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, cocoa, and food coloring to maintain the signature red velvet color and consistent texture.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigeration helps prevent cookie spread and intensifies flavor development, so don’t skip this crucial 30-minute resting period.
• Handle Mixing Gently: Mix dry and wet ingredients minimally to avoid tough cookies, stopping just when ingredients are incorporated to preserve a tender crumb.
• Customize Color Carefully: Adjust food coloring quantity based on brand intensity, testing small batches to achieve the perfect vibrant red hue without affecting taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 164
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 95 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 21 mg