Oh my goodness, let me tell you, there’s just something magical about baking red velvet cookies! The vibrant color, the soft texture, and that luscious cream cheese frosting—it’s a total showstopper! I remember the first time I made these cookies for a holiday party. The moment I took that first bite, I was hooked! The rich chocolate undertones combined with the slight tang of the frosting was a flavor explosion. Everyone loved them, and I felt like a superstar in the kitchen! Trust me, once you whip up a batch of these Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting, you’ll understand why they’re my go-to treat for any occasion!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base of our cookies, giving them structure and that perfect chewy texture.
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder: Just a touch of cocoa adds a subtle chocolate flavor that beautifully complements the red velvet.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps our cookies rise and gives them that fluffy, soft bite we all love.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy creaming, which creates that light and fluffy texture.
- 1 cup sugar: Regular granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps achieve that lovely crunch on the edges.
- 1 cup brown sugar: The molasses in brown sugar brings moisture and a depth of flavor that’s just divine!
- 2 large eggs: Eggs bind everything together and contribute to the cookies’ richness.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: This adds a warm, sweet aroma that makes these cookies even more irresistible.
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring: The star of the show! This gives our cookies that iconic red hue, so don’t skimp on it!
How to Prepare Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake perfectly right from the start, so don’t skip this step!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This step is crucial for evenly distributing the dry ingredients, which helps prevent any clumps in your cookie dough.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream your softened unsalted butter with both granulated and brown sugars using a mixer. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes. This step is essential for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture!
Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Now, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring. Mix until everything is fully incorporated and the batter looks beautifully vibrant!
Step 5: Combine Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. You want a nice, soft dough that holds together well!
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto a prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, giving you that perfect chewy texture!
Step 7: Frosting Preparation
Once your cookies are completely cool, you can frost them with cream cheese frosting. If you’re short on time, feel free to grab a store-bought version! Spread it generously for that delightful finishing touch!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy preparation, perfect for those last-minute cravings!
- Deliciously rich flavor that combines the sweetness of red velvet with a creamy tang from the frosting.
- Visually stunning with their vibrant red color, making them a showstopper for any gathering.
- Perfectly soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Great for sharing with friends and family—everyone will be asking for seconds!
- Versatile enough for any occasion, from birthday parties to cozy nights in.
Tips for Success
To achieve the best results with your red velvet cookies, start with room temperature ingredients—especially the butter and eggs. This allows for better mixing and a smoother dough. Also, be sure not to overmix once you combine the wet and dry ingredients; this can toughen your cookies. Just mix until you see no more flour! For an added touch, let the dough chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes before baking—it helps the flavors meld and gives you beautifully shaped cookies. Finally, keep an eye on the baking time; you want those soft centers for that perfect chewy bite!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your red velvet cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to enjoy them later, they freeze beautifully! Just wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to indulge, let them thaw at room temperature. If you prefer warm cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Yum!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for each of these delightful red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting. Keep in mind these values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients used:
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fiber: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
These cookies are a sweet indulgence, so enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet!
FAQ Section
Can I use less food coloring? Absolutely! If you prefer a lighter red hue, feel free to reduce the amount of food coloring. Just remember, it’s the color that makes these cookies so festive!
How do I make my cookies softer? To achieve that soft, chewy texture, avoid overbaking. Take them out when the edges are set but the centers are still slightly underbaked—they’ll firm up as they cool!
Can I make these cookies ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping and baking.
What can I substitute for cream cheese frosting? If cream cheese frosting isn’t your thing, a simple vanilla buttercream or even a chocolate ganache works wonderfully too!
How should I store leftover cookies? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them individually wrapped!
Print
Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Delightful Indulgence
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious red velvet cookies topped with creamy frosting.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, vanilla, and food coloring to the butter mixture.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set.
- Let cookies cool completely before frosting.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Swap food coloring for less or more depending on preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Red Velvet Cookies, Cream Cheese Frosting, Dessert