When it comes to desserts, red velvet is the absolute top showstopper because of its sweet, rich, and seriously red color and hints of cocoa that set it apart from all others. Now just imagine that world-famous flavor turned into a cookie, and boom! You’ve got magic right there. Yep, I’m talking about red velvet cake cookies—soft, chewy, and loaded with all the goodness of red velvet cake, but much easier to eat (and share, if you’re feeling generous).
Perfect for any celebration—or even just a sweet pick-me-up on a random Tuesday—these cookies effortlessly blend elegance and comfort. What’s more, they’re super easy to make at home! So, let’s dive into all the details you need to bake the ultimate batch of red velvet cake cookies.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with Red Velvet Cake Cookies
What makes red velvet so special? It’s not just a pretty dessert. Red velvet is all about balance. The subtle cocoa flavor, combined with a slight tang from cream cheese or buttermilk (or both in some cases), creates a unique taste that’s luxurious but not overly sweet.
Turning red velvet cake into cookies takes the best parts of the cake—its flavor, its soft texture—and makes it portable, snackable, and downright irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a party, gifting a sweet treat, or just baking for yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit.
Ingredients for Red Velvet Cake Cookies
Let’s break this down into simple categories so you know exactly what you’ll need:
Dry Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 ¾ cups, sifted for a smooth dough.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 2 tablespoons (just enough to bring that subtle chocolate flavor).
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon for the perfect rise.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon to balance the sweetness.
Wet Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick), softened.
- Granulated Sugar: ¾ cup.
- Brown Sugar: ¼ cup (adds moisture and depth).
- Egg: 1 large egg.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon.
- Red Food Coloring: 1–2 teaspoons (gel food coloring works best for vibrant color).
Mix-Ins
- White Chocolate Chips: ¾ cup for sweetness and a creamy contrast to the red dough.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: ½ cup for a rich, chocolatey touch.
How to Make Red Velvet Cake Cookies
1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take parchment paper or silicone baking mats to line the two baking sheets and further avoid substances.
2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This guarantees even distribution of the cocoa flavor and helps avoid clumps.
3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a big bowl, get a mixer to mix the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is, as a matter of fact, how that chewy texture which we all love is created.
4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring within the butter-sugar mixture. Blend Gees up to the stage, where it will be a very rich, red dough.
5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
With moist mix, add gradually dry ingredients just until everything combines. The more mixing time, the tougher the cookies. So, stir gently!
6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Delicately fold in the white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips since they would entice everyone with teasy pockets of melting goodness in every bite.
7: Scoop and Bake
With a cookie scoop or spoon, form tablespoon-sized dough balls. Position them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each cookie.
Oven it for 10-12 minutes or until the edges have set, but the centers still look slightly soft. (Hint: Slightly underbaking keeps the cookies chewy.)
8: Your Delicious Holiday Red Velvet Cookies
For about 5 minutes, let the cookies cool on the tray before moving them to a wire cooling rack. And that’s it—time to dig in!
Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Cake Cookies
- Chill the Dough: If your dough feels too soft or sticky, put it in the fridge for 15–20 minutes. It makes handling easier and prevents spreading while baking.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring gives a vibrant red color without watering down your dough.
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies might look slightly underdone when you take them out, but they’ll firm up as they cool.
- Double the Chocolate: Feel free to add extra chocolate chips if you’re feeling indulgent.
Variations to Try
Cream Cheese-Filled Cookies
For an extra decadent treat, stuff these cookies with cream cheese filling. Here’s how:
- Mix 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, ¼ cup powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
- Flatten a small portion of dough, add a dollop of cream cheese in the center, and wrap the dough around it.
Nutty Red Velvet Cookies
Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for a bit of crunch. The nuttiness pairs beautifully with the cocoa flavor.
Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
Bake the cookies slightly smaller and sandwich two of them together with cream cheese frosting. Talk about a crowd-pleaser!
Why These Cookies Are Perfect for Any Occasion
Red velvet cake cookies are delicious and enjoyable throughout the year. Their rich, slightly tangy flavor and bright color make them favorites for various occasions, especially Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and birthdays. No dessert spread would mind these cookies. They are perfect for celebrating any holiday or anytime someone craves sweets. Their soft, cake-like texture and beautiful red hue make them an eye-catching and delicious choice for any season, bringing a touch of elegance to every bite.
Storing and Freezing Red Velvet Cake Cookies
Storing
Put the cookies in a sealed container and store for 5 days at room temperature maximum. If you’ve added cream cheese filling, store them in the fridge instead.
Freezing
- Dough: Make balls of the dough and place them on a baking sheet for freezing. Once they are frozen, put the balls into a freezer-safe bag. Subsequently, just add an extra minute or two to the baking time when ready for baking.
- Baked Cookies: Let the cookies cool down, after which they can be frozen in one layer in a freezer-safe container and will stay fresh for about 3 months before going stale.
Pairings and Serving Ideas
- With Milk: Because cookies and milk are a classic combo.
- With Ice Cream: Crumble these cookies over vanilla ice cream for a heavenly dessert.
- With Coffee: Couple those biscuits with a steaming cup of coffee for your ultimate afternoon lift.
Red Velvet Cake Cookies: A Perfect Blend of Flavor and Texture
Red velvet cake cookies are a clever way to transform the classic red velvet cake into something new. They still carry over the deeply subtle chocolate flavor, but they’re a lot more intense in red. These cookies often have cocoa, buttermilk, and cream cheese in them-simply ingredients that lend tangy richness not likely found in a chocolate cookie. Add a little red food coloring, and they’ve got the absolute red velvet appearance to boot. Not only are these beauties visually stunning, but they also have that soft, cake-like, melt-in-your-mouth texture which makes them a little different and extra indulgent treat for any time.
Red Velvet Cake Cookies: Fun to Make with Friends
Baking cookies of red velvet cake would be a wonderful entertainment activity with friends. Coming together to mix ingredients, watching the dough come together, and vibrant red food coloring creates a playful and interactive activity. Shaping the dough or decorating it with powdered sugar or cream cheese frosting together with friends already makes this memory a really sweet event. Enjoy the process and delicious results together: great memories and a batch of irresistible treats!
The History of Red Velvet Cake Cookies
This kind of cake, usually called a red velvet cake, has been in existence since early 20th century and has a rich, somewhat picky and mysterious history. It is said that this cake was that when put together with cocoa powder and some acid ingredient like vinegar, it will have that reddish coloration. Interestingly, the exact origins of red velvet cake remain unclear, but it became widely popular in the 1920s, especially after being associated with the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. However, eventually, this exquisite dessert evolved into different other forms of traditional red velvet cake, such as cookies. And hence, the same vibrant color and heavenly flavors are now available in a variety of cookies made from red velvet cake.
FAQs
What is red velvet cookie made of?
Red velvet cookies are made with flour, cocoa powder, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring for a vibrant hue. Many recipes include cream cheese for richness and chocolate chips for added texture and sweetness.
Why is red velvet cake so expensive?
Red velvet cake is usually pricier due to special ingredients like cream cheese, buttermilk, and high-quality cocoa powder, as well as the use of red food coloring. Additionally, the labor-intensive process of making the cake, especially with multiple layers and intricate frosting, contributes to the higher cost.
What’s the difference between chocolate and red velvet cookies?
The main difference between chocolate and red velvet cookies is in flavor and color. Red velvet cookies have a subtle chocolate taste with a tangy flavor from buttermilk or cream cheese, while their vibrant red color sets them apart. They also tend to have a softer, more cake-like texture compared to classic chocolate cookies.
Why do you put vinegar in red velvet cake?
Vinegar is added to red velvet cake to balance its sweetness, activate baking soda for a light, fluffy texture, and intensify the red color, enhancing the cake’s vibrant hue.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
Red velvet cake cookies are an experience rather than a dessert; they’re fun cake but at the same time, an elevated, elegant dessert. They are versatile too: keep them simple or bling them up or change the recipe to fit your palate. They are endless, or rather could be made to suit only a mood, thus making them perhaps the best treat for any occasion.
So the next time you’re craving sweet treats, forget about those sugary bakeries and make these right in your own abode. If you think I’m kidding, once you taste these cookies, they’ll become a regular fixture in your kitchen.
Let’s Chat!
Have you tried making red velvet cake cookies? Got any fun twists or tips to share? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear about your baking adventures!
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Print
Red Velvet Cake Cookies
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Whip up soft and chewy red velvet cake cookies with this easy recipe! Perfect for holidays, gifting, or everyday treats.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 ¾ cups, sifted for a smooth dough.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 2 tablespoons (just enough to bring that subtle chocolate flavor).
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon for the perfect rise.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon to balance the sweetness.
Wet Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick), softened.
- Granulated Sugar: ¾ cup.
- Brown Sugar: ¼ cup (adds moisture and depth).
- Egg: 1 large egg.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon.
- Red Food Coloring: 1–2 teaspoons (gel food coloring works best for vibrant color).
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take parchment paper or silicone baking mats to line the two baking sheets and further avoid substances.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This guarantees even distribution of the cocoa flavor and helps avoid clumps.
In a big bowl, get a mixer to mix the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is, as a matter of fact, how that chewy texture which we all love is created.
Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring within the butter-sugar mixture. Blend Gees up to the stage, where it will be a very rich, red dough.
With moist mix, add gradually dry ingredients just until everything combines. The more mixing time, the tougher the cookies. So, stir gently!
Delicately fold in the white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips since they would entice everyone with teasy pockets of melting goodness in every bite.
With a cookie scoop or spoon, form tablespoon-sized dough balls. Position them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each cookie.
Oven it for 10-12 minutes or until the edges have set, but the centers still look slightly soft. (Hint: Slightly underbaking keeps the cookies chewy.)
For about 5 minutes, let the cookies cool on the tray before moving them to a wire cooling rack. And that’s it—time to dig in!
Notes
These soft and chewy red velvet cake cookies are lightly dusted with powdered sugar, making them a perfect treat for any occasion, especially around holidays like Christmas or Valentine’s Day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120-140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
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