Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

If you’re craving a treat that’s both festive and irresistibly delicious, this Red Velvet Cookies Recipe will quickly become your new favorite. I absolutely love how these cookies strike the perfect balance between classic red velvet flavors and soft, chewy cookie texture. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a special occasion, or just because, you’re going to want to keep this recipe handy.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Red Velvet Cookies Recipe lies in combining a few classic ingredients with a special twist — like using red gel food coloring for that vibrant color and homemade red sanding sugar for a touch of sparkle. I always recommend getting a good quality Dutch-process cocoa for the best depth of flavor.

• Unsalted butter: Melting and slightly cooling it creates a tender cookie texture.
• Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with texture.
• Large egg: Room temperature eggs mix better with other ingredients for a smoother dough.
• Vanilla extract: A little goes a long way enhancing the cookie’s flavor.
• Red gel food coloring: Gives that iconic rich red hue without sogginess from liquid color.
• All-purpose flour: The structure of the cookie starts here.
• Cocoa powder: Use Dutch-process or Hershey’s Special Dark for a deep chocolate note.
• Baking soda & baking powder: These leavening agents work together for the perfect rise and fluffiness.
• Salt: Balances all the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Red sanding sugar: Adds a festive crunch and sparkle – homemade with gel coloring.

Variations

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Red Velvet Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what I have on hand or my mood. Feel free to get a little creative — you might be surprised at the delicious results!

• White Chocolate Chips: Adding white chocolate chips was my first experiment, and my family goes crazy for those sweet pockets among the cocoa flavor.
• Cream Cheese Frosting Dip: For a special treat, serve the cookies with a side of cream cheese frosting for dipping — it’s like eating a red velvet cupcake in cookie form.
• Vegan Version: I haven’t tried this myself yet, but substituting vegan butter and a flax egg could work well if you want a dairy-free option.
• Double Chocolate Red Velvet: Mix in mini dark chocolate chips for an extra chocolate punch — just a sprinkle in the batter before baking does the trick.

How to Make Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Melt and Cool the Butter

Start by melting your unsalted butter over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Here’s the trick I discovered: pour your melted butter into a shallow bowl and freeze it for about 5 to 8 minutes — just until it cools but doesn’t solidify. This helps cool the butter quickly so it doesn’t cook the eggs when you mix, but keeps the dough soft and easy to combine.

Step 2: Mix Sugars, Egg, Vanilla, and Food Coloring

To the cooled butter, add your brown sugar, granulated sugar, the egg, vanilla extract, and that vibrant red gel food coloring. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and well combined—you’ll see the dough starts to get that gorgeous red shade, which is so satisfying!

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sifted cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Sifting is key here — it prevents lumps and ensures you get an even distribution so your cookies bake uniformly.

Step 4: Fold the Batter and Chill

Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then gently fold everything together with a large spatula. Don’t overmix — you want the dough just combined to avoid tough cookies. Once your dough looks uniform, let it rest while you preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 5: Shape and Sugar Coat the Cookies

Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out roughly 2-ounce balls of dough. Now, here’s one of my favorite steps: roll each dough ball in the red sanding sugar — it adds a beautiful sparkle and a little crunch. Place them on your parchment-lined baking sheet with 2 to 3 inches of space to allow spreading.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies for 9 to 10 minutes. You’re aiming for edges that are set and centers that still look a bit puffed and slightly underbaked. It can be tempting to bake them longer, but resisting the urge is vital so your cookies stay soft and chewy. Once out of the oven, sprinkle with more red sanding sugar if you want a little extra sparkle. Remember, the cookies will deflate as they cool — that’s normal and part of their tender texture!

How to Serve Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with an extra sprinkle of red sanding sugar — it makes them look like little jewels, perfect for gifting or holiday parties. Sometimes, I add a dollop of cream cheese frosting on top when serving for a decadent touch that pairs perfectly with the cocoa flavor.

Side Dishes

Pair these Red Velvet Cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of coffee or hot cocoa. When I’m baking for brunch, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit or a cheesecake for a festive spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like arranging these cookies on a tiered dessert tray or packaging them in clear bags tied with a festive ribbon — everyone loves that homemade touch! You could even sandwich two cookies together with a cream cheese filling for a cookie “whoopie pie” twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, placing a slice of bread in the container helps retain moisture — I’ve been using this trick for years now, and it really works!

Freezing

If you want to make a big batch ahead, these cookies freeze beautifully. I wrap each cookie twice in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, just defrost at room temperature. I find freezing also helps the flavors deepen a bit!

Reheating

To bring frozen or leftover cookies back to life, I warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 to 8 minutes — this refreshes the texture wonderfully without drying them out. Just make sure they cool slightly before digging in.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to treats whenever I want something special that’s easy to make yet looks and tastes like a batch of homemade love. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing them as much as I do — nothing beats seeing the smiles they bring to friends and family. So grab your mixing bowl and some red gel food coloring, and get ready to make your kitchen smell like pure cozy happiness!

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