Velvety Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Dreamy Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Soft, decadent red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting bring pure indulgence to your dessert table.

These vibrant, rich cookies dance with deep crimson color and luxurious texture.

A classic Southern-inspired treat that melts smoothly on your tongue, promising pure bliss in every bite.

The cream cheese frosting adds a tangy, silky complement that perfectly balances the cookie’s subtle cocoa undertones.

Each cookie delivers a delightful combination of tender crumb and creamy finish.

Baking these beauties transforms an ordinary afternoon into a special celebration of sweet comfort.

You’ll want to savor every delectable moment of this irresistible dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 256 kcal

Servings: 25

What’s Inside Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting

For Base and Structure:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides the fundamental framework for the cookie's texture and structure.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate depth and contributes to the classic red velvet color.
  • Baking Soda: Ensures cookies rise and create a soft, tender crumb.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
For Moisture and Richness:
  • Butter: Creates a luxurious, tender texture and adds deep buttery flavor.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness, moisture, and help create a soft cookie texture.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's rich, smooth consistency.
For Color and Flavor Enhancement:
  • Red Food Coloring: Delivers the signature vibrant red velvet appearance.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex undertone and rounds out the cookie's flavor.
For Frosting Creamy Goodness:
  • Cream Cheese: Brings tangy, silky smoothness to the frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps stabilize the frosting texture.

Baking Tools For Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Cookie scoop or tablespoon: Perfect for creating uniform, round cookie dough balls.
  • Baking sheets: Lined with parchment paper for even baking and easy cleanup.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures consistent browning.
  • Wire rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
  • Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients.
  • Medium bowl: Used for preparing cream cheese frosting.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Crucial for creating smooth, fluffy textures in both dough and frosting.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

How To Bake Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Whip Up the Cookie Base

Grab a mixing bowl and blend butter, sugar until it’s super fluffy. Splash in some vibrant red food coloring and vanilla. Toss in eggs one by one, mixing until everything looks smooth and gorgeous. In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

  • Create Cookie Dough Balls

Warm up your oven to a toasty 350F. Spread parchment paper on baking sheets. Scoop out rounded dough portions, placing them with plenty of breathing room. Each cookie glob should sit about two inches apart.

  • Bake to Perfection

Slide the cookie sheet into the oven. Let cookies dance and transform for 10-12 minutes. They should look slightly soft in the center with crispy edges. Once done, let them rest on the baking sheet for a quick five minutes.

  • Craft Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting

Whisk cream cheese and butter until they become silky smooth. Gradually fold in powdered sugar, creating a cloud-like frosting. Splash some vanilla for extra magic.

  • Sandwich the Deliciousness

After cookies cool completely, spread luscious frosting on half the cookies. Crown each with another cookie, creating irresistible red velvet sandwich treats.

Pro Tips For Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Perfect Baking Tricks: Add a splash of vinegar to enhance the red velvet flavor and create a deeper color.
  • Frosting Finesse: Chill the cream cheese frosting for 15 minutes before spreading to achieve a firmer, more spreadable consistency.
  • Texture Tip: Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies soft and tender – stop mixing as soon as dry ingredients are just incorporated.
  • Diet-Friendly Swap: Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version. Use dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter for a plant-based alternative that doesn't compromise on taste.
  • Storage Secret: Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture for up to 5 days at room temperature or freeze for 3 weeks.

Serve Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Warm

  • Sweet Celebration Pairings: Serve these decadent red velvet cookies during holiday gatherings, adding festive cheer to your dessert table.
  • Cozy Milk Companion: Pair the cookies with cold or warm milk, creating a classic dessert experience that brings comfort and nostalgic delight.
  • Elegant Dessert Plating: Arrange cookies on a beautiful white ceramic plate, dusting with powdered sugar or garnishing with fresh berries for a sophisticated presentation that elevates their visual appeal.
  • Gifting Gourmet Touch: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbons, making them perfect homemade gifts for birthdays, Valentine's Day, or special occasions.

Keep Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Fresh

  • Airtight Container Magic: Store cooled cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent frosting from sticking and maintain cookie texture.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Cream cheese frosting requires cold storage. Keep cookie sandwiches in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before serving, let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften.
  • Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cookie sandwiches in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best taste and texture.
  • Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare cookie dough and refrigerate for 24 hours before baking. This allows flavors to develop and makes day-of baking faster and easier. Unbaked dough can also be frozen for future baking sessions.
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Velvety Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Velvety Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe


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4.7 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting bring classic Southern charm to classic cookie traditions. Luxurious cocoa-infused cookies pair perfectly with tangy cream cheese frosting you’ll savor with each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (320 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (220 grams) packed light brown sugar
  • 8 oz (226 grams) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup (226 grams / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp red food coloring
  • 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Creaming: Whip butter and sugars until light and fluffy, then integrate eggs individually. Blend in vanilla and red food coloring to create a vibrant, homogeneous batter.
  2. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing until just combined to maintain batter’s delicate texture.
  3. Baking Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop uniform dough portions, spacing them to prevent merging during baking.
  4. Baking Process: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges set and centers remain slightly soft. Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes to stabilize structure and facilitate gentle cooling.
  5. Cooling and Frosting Base: Transfer cookies to wire rack for complete cooling. Simultaneously, cream cheese and butter until smooth and silky.
  6. Frosting Finalization: Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, whipping until frosting reaches a cloud-like consistency. Integrate vanilla extract thoroughly.
  7. Assembly: Once cookies reach room temperature, generously spread frosting on cookie base. Sandwich with matching cookie to create decadent red velvet sandwich cookies.

Notes

  • Prevent Color Bleeding: Use gel food coloring for intense red hue without excess liquid that might compromise cookie texture.
  • Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain structured shape.
  • Handle Cream Cheese Carefully: Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smooth, lump-free frosting with perfect spreadability.
  • Avoid Overmixing Technique: Gently combine dry and wet ingredients to maintain tender cookie texture, stopping just when ingredients are incorporated.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 256
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 139 mg
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 41 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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