If you’re searching for a cookie that perfectly captures the festive spirit and offers a delightful twist on traditional holiday treats, these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for Christmas are your new best friend. Soft and tender with just the right hint of chocolate, these cookies are coated in powdered sugar, creating that iconic crackled pattern that looks as joyful as they taste. They’re unbelievably simple to make, yet they stand out on any Christmas cookie tray, bringing a pop of color and irresistible flavor that guests will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for a handful of simple, pantry-staple ingredients that combine to create those signature red velvet flavors and that perfect crinkle texture. Each component plays a crucial part, from the richness of butter to the vibrant color from red food coloring, ensuring your cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and helps create that tender crumb you love in a cookie.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough while also helping with structure and moisture.
- 1 large egg: Binds all ingredients together and adds moisture.
- 1 tbsp milk: Keeps the dough soft and adds a bit of creaminess.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the chocolate and red velvet flavors.
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder: Gives that subtle chocolate depth essential to red velvet.
- 1 tsp red food coloring: Creates the vibrant red hue that makes these cookies festive and fun.
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: The base of the dough, giving the cookies their structure.
- ½ tsp baking powder: Provides a light lift, helping the cookies puff up just right.
- ¼ tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances other flavors.
- Powdered sugar for rolling: This finishing touch creates the classic crinkle appearance once baked.
How to Make Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for Christmas
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Begin by beating the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This step is key as it incorporates air into your dough, which helps create soft, tender cookies.
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Then stir in the cocoa powder and red food coloring. The red food coloring is what gives these cookies their iconic Christmas color, so don’t be shy about adding it.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into your wet ingredients, mixing until you have a soft dough. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Wrap or cover the dough and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to roll into balls and helping the cookies keep their shape while baking.
Step 5: Roll in Powdered Sugar
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls, then coat them generously in powdered sugar. This coating not only forms the delightfully crinkled exterior but also adds a delicate sweetness and festive look.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Place your sugared dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them for 10–12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step lets the cookies firm up just enough to enjoy without falling apart.
How to Serve Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for Christmas
Garnishes
While these cookies are stunning on their own, you can add a sprinkle of edible glitter or crushed peppermint candies right after baking for an extra pop of holiday cheer. A light dusting of cocoa powder can also add depth to the flavor profile if you want to elevate the chocolate notes.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced hot chocolate or creamy eggnog. The warmth of these drinks complements the soft texture and rich flavor of the Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for Christmas, making your festive snack time an absolute delight.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gatherings, arrange the cookies on a tiered dessert stand with sprigs of fresh holly or rosemary to add a natural, aromatic holiday vibe. Alternatively, package them in clear cellophane bags tied with red and white twine for charming gift-giving that’s sure to brighten someone’s day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to a week, perfect if you want to bake ahead and enjoy them throughout the holiday season.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies well ahead of time, freeze the baked and completely cooled cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag. They can last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked feel, gently warm the cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This softens the cookies and lightly melts the powdered sugar coating, making them taste just as lovely as when they first came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use natural red food coloring for these cookies?
Yes! Natural red food colorings derived from beet juice or other sources work fine, though they may produce a slightly different shade of red. Just be sure to adjust the amount to achieve the vibrant color you want.
What if I don’t have cocoa powder?
You can’t skip the cocoa powder entirely since it’s what gives red velvet its signature flavor, but if you’re out, substituting with melted chocolate can work; just reduce other fats slightly. Keep in mind, the taste and texture might vary.
How can I make these cookies more festive?
Roll the dough balls in colored sanding sugar or crushed candy canes along with powdered sugar for extra sparkle and holiday spirit. You could also drizzle white chocolate over the cooled cookies for a beautiful contrast.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend, making sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to help maintain texture.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours ahead and keep it refrigerated. This actually enhances the flavor and texture, so it’s a win-win if you want to save time on a busy day.
Final Thoughts
Baking these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for Christmas is like creating a little edible celebration, full of color, warmth, and nostalgia. They’re incredibly easy, delightfully festive, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re gifting them, sharing them with family, or sneaking a few yourself, these cookies bring joyful moments to any holiday season. Give this recipe a try and watch your Christmas cookie tray become the star of the party!
PrintRed Velvet Crinkle Cookies for Christmas
These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are soft, moist, and richly chocolatey with a festive red hue. Rolled in powdered sugar, they develop a beautiful crackled surface during baking, making them a delightful addition to any Christmas cookie tray. Perfectly sweet with a slight hint of cocoa, these cookies are sure to be a holiday favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 47 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp red food coloring
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Coating
- Powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter together with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, milk, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and red food coloring until the batter is smooth and uniformly colored.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these to the wet mixture and stir until fully incorporated to form a soft dough.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up for easier handling and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- Roll and Coat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Shape the chilled dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Thoroughly roll each ball in powdered sugar, coating them generously to achieve the signature crackled effect.
- Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the cookies have spread and the crackled surface is set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use gel-based red food coloring for a more vibrant color without affecting dough consistency.
- For softer cookies, avoid overbaking; remove them when the edges are set but centers still look slightly underbaked.
- Chilling the dough is important to prevent cookies from spreading too much.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and milk with vegan alternatives.