Print

Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

3.9 from 88 reviews

These Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are a festive treat featuring thick cookies with crispy edges and a soft center, topped with smooth, luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or holiday celebrations, these American-style dessert cookies combine classic red velvet flavors with a creamy finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Red Velvet Cookies

  • 110 g butter, melted and cooled (½ cup)
  • 100 g granulated sugar (½ cup)
  • 100 g brown sugar (½ cup)
  • ½ teaspoon red gel food coloring or vegan food coloring
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 230 g all-purpose flour
  • 10 g Dutch process cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 120 g butter
  • 60 g full-fat cream cheese
  • 220 g powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions

  1. Melt and Cool Butter: Melt the butter gently in the microwave or on low-medium heat in a saucepan without bubbling to preserve moisture. Pour melted butter into a large bowl and refrigerate for about 20 minutes until cooled to room temperature.
  2. Mix Sugars and Coloring: Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, and red gel food coloring to the cooled butter. Whisk vigorously for 1 minute or use a stand mixer with paddle attachment to combine until smooth and uniform in color.
  3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture and mix until fully combined, creating a smooth batter.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, Dutch process cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and cocoa.
  5. Mix Dry into Wet: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
  6. Portion and Chill: Using a 2 tablespoon (56 g) cookie scoop, portion 11 equal-sized dough balls. Roll each between your hands and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up the dough, which helps maintain shape while baking.
  7. Preheat Oven and Bake: Preheat oven to 180ºC (355ºF). Bake 6 cookies at a time on a lined baking sheet for 10-11 minutes until edges are set and centers are slightly puffed.
  8. Cool Cookies: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes. Gently press down any puffed centers for an even surface. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and cool completely before frosting.
  9. Prepare Frosting: Remove butter and cream cheese from fridge 10 minutes before starting. Cut butter into cubes and sift powdered sugar.
  10. Cream Butter: In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat butter on high speed for 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down bowl sides and mix for an additional 2 minutes.
  11. Add Cream Cheese and Vanilla: Add cream cheese and vanilla bean paste, and beat together with butter for 1 minute until well combined and smooth.
  12. Add Powdered Sugar: On low speed, add sifted powdered sugar in two installments, mixing between additions. Scrape down bowl sides and mix on medium speed for 1 minute for a smooth frosting texture.
  13. Pipe Frosting: Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a Wilton 2A tip or similar. Pipe swirls on each cooled cookie starting from the center outward. Optionally, decorate with red sprinkles.
  14. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the cookies immediately or store in an airtight container. Enjoy your festive Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Notes

  • Chilling the dough before baking is important to prevent spreading and keep cookies thick.
  • Use a digital scale for best accuracy in measuring ingredients, especially flour and butter.
  • Butter and cream cheese should be at room temperature for smooth frosting.
  • Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days; refrigerate if frosting is soft.
  • If desired, add red sprinkles on frosting for extra decorative touch.

Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/red-velvet-cookies-with-cream-cheese-frosting/