Name: Red Velvet Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup cocoa powder; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 tbsp red food coloring; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips; 1/4 cup cream cheese (softened); 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

Crisp edges and soft centers define these delectable red velvet cookies that promise pure indulgence.

Chocolate undertones weave through each bite, creating a symphony of rich flavor.

Southern charm meets sweet perfection in this delightful treat.

Vibrant crimson hues make these cookies a stunning addition to any dessert spread.

Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious touch that melts in your mouth.

Baking these cookies brings warmth and joy to your kitchen.

You’ll fall in love with every delicious, velvety morsel that emerges from the oven.

What Makes Red Velvet Cookies So Craveable

Beginner-Friendly Baking: Perfect for novice bakers with straightforward steps and minimal technical skills required, ensuring success even for those new to cookie making.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Delivers a stunning visual appeal with vibrant red color and white chocolate chips, making it an instant hit at parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.
Quick Kitchen Adventure: Minimal prep time and simple ingredients mean you can go from mixing bowl to delicious cookies in just a short kitchen session, satisfying sweet cravings quickly.
Versatile Treat Option: Adaptable for various occasions like birthdays, holidays, or casual snacking, with optional cream cheese drizzle adding a gourmet touch to a classic cookie recipe.

Everything You Need for Red Velvet Cookies

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental base that provides structure and texture to the cookies.
Cocoa Powder: Delivers a rich chocolate flavor and deep color characteristic of red velvet.
Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, tender texture.
Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the cookies.

Wet Ingredients:

Butter: Creates a rich, smooth foundation for the cookie dough.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp exterior.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's structure.
Red Food Coloring: Gives the signature vibrant red color of red velvet treats.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie's flavor profile.

Finishing Ingredients:

White Chocolate Chips, Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar: Elevate the cookies with extra richness, sweetness, and decorative appeal.

How to Bake Red Velvet Cookies Like a Pro

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine:

All-purpose flour
Cocoa powder
Baking powder
Salt

Sift these ingredients together to eliminate any pesky lumps.

Step 3: Whip Butter and Sugar

Grab a large bowl and use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a cloud of deliciousness.

Step 4: Add Eggs

Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth, even base.

Step 5: Create Vibrant Color

Pour in red food coloring and vanilla extract, stirring until your mixture transforms into a stunning crimson shade.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until a uniform dough forms, being careful not to overmix.

Step 7: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Sprinkle white chocolate chips into the dough, distributing them evenly for bursts of sweetness in every bite.

Step 8: Prepare for Baking

Drop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for slightly crisp edges with soft, tender centers.

Step 10: Cool Down

Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set.

Step 11: Transfer Cookies

Carefully move cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 12: Create Cream Cheese Drizzle

Blend softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and silky.

Step 13: Final Touches

Once cooled, dust cookies with a light snowfall of powdered sugar and drizzle with the cream cheese mixture.

Step 14: Serve and Savor

Plate these luxurious red velvet cookies and enjoy every delectable bite!

Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, cocoa powder, and sugar to maintain the perfect texture and taste of red velvet cookies.
Prevent Overmixing: Stir the dough gently until ingredients are just combined to keep cookies tender and avoid tough, dense results.
Control Food Coloring: Add red food coloring gradually to achieve the classic vibrant red color without altering the cookie's consistency.
Chill Dough Option: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking to enhance flavor development and prevent excessive spreading.
Storage Tip: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain freshness.

Fun Twists on Classic Red Velvet Cookies

Chocolate Chip Extravaganza: Replace white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips for a deeper, richer flavor profile that complements the red velvet base.
Nutty Crunch Edition: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for added texture and a subtle nutty undertone that enhances the cookie's complexity.
Cream Cheese Stuffed Version: Create a pocket in each cookie dough ball and fill with sweetened cream cheese before baking, resulting in a gooey, tangy center.
Salted Caramel Drizzle: Skip the traditional powdered sugar topping and instead drizzle warm salted caramel sauce over the cooled cookies for a luxurious finishing touch.

Perfect Pairings for Red Velvet Cookies

Savor Sweet Cream Companions: Vanilla bean ice cream perfectly complements the rich red velvet cookie, creating a smooth and cool contrast to the warm, soft texture.
Pair with Complementary Beverages: Creamy cold milk balances the cookie's sweetness, while its mild flavor allows the red velvet's deep cocoa notes to shine through.
Elevate with Dessert Wines: Moscato d'Asti offers a light, sparkling sweetness that harmonizes beautifully with the white chocolate chips and cream cheese drizzle.
Enhance with Coffee Choices: Cappuccino or latte with a hint of cinnamon provides a sophisticated flavor profile that matches the cookie's luxurious red velvet character.

Storing and Serving Red Velvet Cookies Later

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and preventing quick spoilage.
Package cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper separating each layer. Freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring they remain fresh and delicious when thawed at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Place cookies in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture, keeping them at a consistent cool temperature to preserve quality.
Wrap each cookie separately in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.

Why does the recipe use cocoa powder?

Cocoa powder adds a rich chocolate flavor and contributes to the classic red velvet color while enhancing the cookie’s depth and texture.

Can I substitute the white chocolate chips?

Yes, you can use dark or milk chocolate chips as alternatives, but white chocolate chips complement the red velvet flavor best.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking and ensure your butter is softened but not melted to help maintain the cookie’s shape.

What gives red velvet cookies their distinctive red color?

The red food coloring creates the signature vibrant crimson hue, which is a hallmark of traditional red velvet desserts.

Mia Thompson

Pastry Chef & Content Creator

Expertise

Creating wholesome, seasonal desserts with a focus on nutrition.
Developing recipes on healthy baking alternatives.
Experimenting with plant-based and gluten-free recipes.

Education

Portland Community College – Baking and Pastry Arts Program
Specialized in artisanal bread, seasonal desserts, and sustainable baking methods.

National University of Natural Medicine – Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BScN)
Focused on “Food as Medicine” philosophy, with core threads in nutrition.

Mia’s love affair with baking began in her grandmother’s kitchen, where sneaking spoonfuls of batter first sparked her curiosity. She refined her skills through Portland Community College’s Baking and Pastry Arts Program and her expertise at the National University of Natural Medicine, earning a B.Sc. in Nutrition.
At The Scrumptious Pumpkin, Mia reimagines classics with effortless seasonal treats, healthier twists on old favorites, and playful confections that feel like pure joy. Beyond the oven, she nurtures her urban garden, forages local ingredients around Portland, and leads hands‑on nutrition workshops for her community.

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Everything You Need for Red Velvet Cookies