Red Velvet Cookies are soft, chewy cookies that capture the classic flavor of red velvet cake in a delightful cookie form. These vibrant cookies are perfect for any occasion and are often topped with cream cheese frosting for an extra treat!

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting (optional):

• 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons milk (to reach desired consistency)

Timing

Making Red Velvet Cookies takes about 15 minutes for preparation and 10-12 minutes for baking.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

1. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Add Egg and Flavorings

1. Add Egg and Flavorings: Beat in the egg, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

1. Mix Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. If using, fold in the white chocolate chips.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

1. Scoop Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
2. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.

Step 7: Cool and Frost (optional)

1. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Make Frosting: If desired, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy.
3. Frost Cookies: Once the cookies are cool, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting on top.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Red Velvet Cookies (per cookie, based on 24 cookies without frosting):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	150
Protein	2g
Fat	7g
Carbohydrates	22g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	10g

Tips for Customization

• Add-ins: Incorporate chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit for added flavor and texture.
• Frosting Variations: Try different flavors of frosting, such as vanilla or almond, to change up the taste.
• Color Variations: Adjust the amount of food coloring to achieve your desired shade of red.

Conclusion

Red Velvet Cookies are a fun and festive treat that brings the beloved flavor of red velvet cake into cookie form. Soft, chewy, and often topped with cream cheese frosting, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Enjoy this delightful recipe!