Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you have a soft spot for anything red velvet, you’re going to absolutely adore this Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These cookies are the perfect twist on the classic cake, delivering that rich red velvet flavor in a chewy, tender cookie form topped with a luscious swirl of tangy cream cheese frosting. Every bite is like a little celebration of flavor and texture, combining the subtle cocoa undertones with the creamy, dreamy frosting that makes you want to keep coming back for more. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these red velvet cookies will quickly become a beloved favorite in your baking repertoire.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is the foundation of baking any great treat, and for this Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, you’ll find that the ingredients are straightforward but incredibly purposeful. Each one plays a unique role, from creating the signature color and soft texture to ensuring that rich cream cheese frosting finishes off these cookies perfectly.

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the cookies, balancing softness and chewiness beautifully.
• Cocoa powder: Adds a subtle chocolate depth essential to authentic red velvet flavor.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness.
• Unsalted butter: Softened for creaming; gives the cookies richness and moisture.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create that delicate cookie texture.
• Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a slight caramel note for depth.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture.
• Vanilla extract: Boosts the sweetness and rounds out the chocolate and cream cheese flavors.
• Red food coloring: The iconic red hue that makes red velvet so fun and festive.
• White vinegar: Reacts with baking soda for lift and enhances the tanginess.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang that complements the frosting perfectly.
• Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, delivering smooth tangy richness.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to a perfect spreadable consistency.

How to Make Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature creates the ideal environment for the cookies to bake evenly and develop just the right softness. Lay out a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to ensure your cookies won’t stick and will bake with perfectly golden edges.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that all the dry elements are evenly combined, so every bite of cookie has consistent flavor and texture. Setting this bowl aside keeps things organized as you move onto the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugars

Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy, about two to three minutes. This aeration is key for fluffy, tender cookies that melt in your mouth, plus it helps blend the sweetness and moisture throughout the dough.

Step 4: Add Egg & Flavorings

Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and white vinegar until everything is fully combined. The red food coloring gives these cookies their signature vibrant color while the vinegar interacts with the baking soda for a gentle rise and subtle tang that’s characteristic of red velvet treats.

Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry

Gradually introduce the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix just until the dough comes together; be careful not to overmix. This step is crucial for keeping your cookies soft and tender, with just the right amount of chew in every bite.

Step 6: Scoop the Dough

Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart. This spacing allows the cookies to spread a bit without merging together, giving you perfectly shaped treats ready for baking.

Step 7: Bake

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges look set but the centers still feel soft. This short bake time ensures the cookies stay moist with a tender crumb. Let them cool for five minutes on the baking sheet for perfect firmness before transferring to a cooling rack.

Step 8: Prepare the Frosting

While the cookies cool, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy. This frosting is the luscious finishing touch that makes these cookies extra special with its tangy sweetness and silky texture.

Step 9: Frost & Serve

Once your cookies are completely cooled, slather or pipe the cream cheese frosting on top. For added charm and a bit of texture, dust with cocoa powder or sprinkle a few red sprinkles. Serve these beauties with pride — they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

How to Serve Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

The cream cheese frosting shines as the star garnish, but a light dusting of cocoa powder or a scattering of red sugar sprinkles adds festive pops of color and texture. You can also try a small dollop of whipped cream or a delicate drizzle of melted chocolate for an extra decorative touch.

Side Dishes

Pair these red velvet cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea to balance their richness. For a brunch or dessert spread, they also complement fruity salads or vanilla ice cream wonderfully, creating a delightful contrast of flavors and temperatures.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging these cookies on a tiered dessert stand for a stunning display at parties or celebrations. Alternatively, sandwich two cookies with the cream cheese frosting in between for extra indulgence. Wrapping them individually in decorative clear bags tied with a ribbon makes for a charming gift any time of the year.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Place layers separated by parchment paper to prevent the frosting from sticking. The cookies maintain their soft texture and the frosting stays creamy when properly stored.

Freezing

You can freeze both the cookies and the frosting for longer storage. For best results, freeze unfrosted cookies on a sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw completely before frosting. If you have extra frosting, store it in an airtight container, and you can re-whip it slightly after thawing to restore creaminess.

Reheating

Warm cookies slightly in a microwave or oven before serving to bring back that freshly baked softness. Avoid heating the cream cheese frosting directly; instead, let the frostings soften at room temperature or give it a gentle stir to revive its spreadable goodness.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

While you can substitute regular milk, buttermilk adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness and enhances the texture of your red velvet cookies. If you don’t have buttermilk, try stirring a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice into a cup of milk and let it sit for five minutes to mimic buttermilk’s effects.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and avoid overmixing the dough. Chilling the dough for 15–30 minutes before baking can also help the cookies keep their shape better while baking.

Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?

Absolutely! Gel food coloring is actually preferred by many bakers because it provides vibrant color without thinning your dough. Just use a small amount to achieve that classic red velvet hue.

Is it okay to make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

You can experiment with dairy-free cream cheese and butter substitutes and a plant-based milk alternative. However, keep in mind that the texture and flavor might slightly differ from the traditional result, but the cookies will still be delicious!

Can I skip the cream cheese frosting?

While the cream cheese frosting is a signature part of this Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe, the cookies themselves are delicious on their own. For a simpler version, dust them with powdered sugar or enjoy as is for a less sweet treat.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like these Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe to brighten up your baking adventures and delight anyone lucky enough to taste them. Their rich flavor, soft texture, and creamy frosting make a perfect combo that’s hard to resist. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to these scrumptious bites that bring a little bit of red velvet magic into cookie form!

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