Description
Delight in these rich and indulgent Red Velvet Cookies topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfectly soft with a subtle cocoa flavor and vibrant red color, these cookies are a festive treat for any occasion. The creamy frosting adds the perfect balance of sweetness, making each bite irresistible.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring (adjust to preference)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with both granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates a smooth base for your cookie dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until evenly combined and the batter is bright red.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes. This helps the dough firm up, controlling spread during baking.
- Form Cookie Balls: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out 1.5 tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. This ensures chewy, tender cookies.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing the frosting from melting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and a pinch of salt, then beat the mixture until fluffy and well combined.
- Frost Cookies: Once the cookies are fully cooled, frost each cookie with a swirl or dollop of the cream cheese frosting. Serve immediately or store properly for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of red food coloring to achieve your desired shade of red.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent excessive spreading and maintain cookie shape.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep cookies tender and soft.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Bring refrigerated cookies to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
