Description
Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese become the star of your dessert table, bringing Southern charm straight to your kitchen. Creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting nestled between rich cocoa-red cookies creates a sweet treat guaranteed to make taste buds dance with delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 350°F (175°C) and arrange a parchment paper liner on your baking sheet for easy cookie removal.
- Whisk 1½ cups flour, ¼ cup cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt together in a medium mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
- Cream ½ cup softened butter with ½ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons red food coloring, and 1 teaspoon white vinegar to the butter mixture, blending thoroughly until color is consistent.
- Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with 2 tablespoons buttermilk, stirring gently to maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing each mound about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes at 350°F (175°C), watching for set edges while keeping centers soft and slightly underdone.
- Transfer cookies to a cooling rack after letting them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, allowing them to firm up slightly.
- Whip 4 ounces cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable.
- Once cookies are completely cool, generously spread or pipe frosting over each cookie, creating a delicate cream cheese topping.
Notes
- Always use room temperature butter and cream cheese for smoother mixing and better texture in both cookies and frosting.
- Reduce red food coloring for a more natural look, or substitute with beet juice for a chemical-free coloring option.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, more structured cookies.
- Store frosted cookies in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg