Description
These soft and chewy red velvet cookies are topped with a creamy, tangy frosting for a dessert that’s as stunning as it is delicious. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion, this recipe is easy to make and sure to impress.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp red gel food coloring
- 1 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 tbsp buttermilk
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparing the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, food coloring, and vinegar to the butter mixture. Beat until fully combined.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Stir just until combined.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form dough balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underbaked. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Frosting:
- Beat cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Stir in vanilla extract for added flavor.
Frosting the Cookies:
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe cream cheese frosting on top.
- Decorate with sprinkles or a drizzle of melted chocolate, if desired.
Notes
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days at room temperature or 7 days in the fridge.
- Freezing: You can freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw before frosting.
- Substitutions: For a vegan version, replace eggs, butter, and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: red velvet cookies, cream cheese frosting, Valentine’s Day cookies, soft cookies recipe, easy cookie recipe