Description
Pink velvet cookies embrace classic Southern charm with a whimsical twist. Rich cocoa and buttermilk create a tender crumb, while tangy cream cheese frosting adds luxurious contrast.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) buttermilk (or 2 tbsps milk + ¼ tsp vinegar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp vinegar
- ½ tsp pink or red food coloring
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsps (28 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) milk or cream (if needed for consistency)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- Pink sprinkles or sanding sugar
- White chocolate shavings
- Heart-shaped candies (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring an optimal baking environment.
- Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture that will provide structure to the cookies.
- Butter Fusion: Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency with a silky smooth texture.
- Moisture Integration: Mix egg, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and pink food coloring, blending until the ingredients harmonize into a vibrant pink hue.
- Dough Development: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk to create a cohesive, smooth cookie dough without overmixing.
- Baking Deployment: Scoop dough into 1½-inch rounds, strategically spacing them on the prepared baking sheet to allow proper spreading and even baking.
- Oven Transformation: Bake for 9-11 minutes, watching for set edges and slightly soft centers that signal perfect cookie doneness.
- Cooling Protocol: Rest cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to firm up and develop optimal texture.
- Frosting Creation: Whip cream cheese and butter until ultra-smooth, eliminating any potential lumps for a luxurious frosting base.
- Sweetness Calibration: Incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whipping until the frosting becomes light, fluffy, and perfectly spreadable.
- Frosting Finishing: Adjust consistency with a splash of milk if needed, ensuring the perfect piping or spreading texture.
- Final Assembly: Generously adorn cooled cookies with cream cheese frosting, creating an enticing and delectable surface.
- Decorative Flourish: Embellish with sprinkles, white chocolate shavings, or heart-shaped candies for a playful and elegant finishing touch.
- Serving Finale: Present the delightful pink velvet cookies, ready to be savored and enjoyed.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients to maintain a tender cookie texture, avoiding tough or dense results.
- Color Intensity Control: Adjust pink food coloring gradually to achieve desired vibrant shade without altering batter consistency.
- Buttermilk Substitution: Use milk with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice if buttermilk is unavailable, ensuring similar tangy flavor profile.
- Frosting Temperature Tip: Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads easily.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg