Dreamy Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Soft, decadent red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting dance between indulgence and pure comfort.

These vibrant cookies carry a rich crimson hue that catches every eye at the table.

Deep cocoa notes mingle with a subtle tanginess that makes each bite irresistible.

The cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious, silky layer of sweetness that perfectly complements the cookie’s velvety texture.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this delightful treat with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.

Prepare to wow friends and family with these show-stopping cookies that promise to become an instant favorite.

Your dessert game just reached a whole new level of deliciousness.

Ingredients for Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for perfect cookie texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate undertone and deep red color characteristic of red velvet.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly with a soft, delicate crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the cookie.

• Butter: Creates rich, creamy base with incredible smooth texture and flavor depth.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to chewy, soft cookie consistency.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, complex flavor profile to complement red velvet.
• Red Food Coloring: Gives signature vibrant red color essential to red velvet style.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers tangy, smooth filling with classic red velvet pairing.
• Butter: Adds creamy richness and helps stabilize frosting texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out frosting flavor with subtle aromatic notes.

Tools to Bake Red Velvet Cookies with Frosting

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing dough ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Perfect for beating butter, sugar, and creating smooth, fluffy mixtures.
• Separate Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining dry ingredients like flour and cocoa powder.
• Baking Sheets: Critical for baking cookies evenly and preventing sticking.
• Parchment Paper: Helps cookies bake without burning and makes cleanup easy.
• Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Ensures uniform cookie sizes and consistent baking.
• Wire Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Medium Bowl: Used for preparing cream cheese frosting.
• Spatula or Spreading Knife: Helps evenly spread frosting between cookies.

How to Make Red Velvet Cookies with Frosting

• Whip Up the Cookie Base

Mix softened butter with sugars until they become airy and light. Splash in eggs one by one, stirring thoroughly. Drizzle red food coloring and vanilla for a vibrant, sweet touch. In another bowl, blend flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.

• Shape and Bake

Heat the oven to 350F. Spread parchment paper on baking sheets. Scoop rounded dollops of dough, leaving space between each cookie. Slide into the oven and bake until edges look crisp but centers remain soft. Let cookies rest on the sheet for a quick five minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

• Craft the Creamy Frosting

Blend cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually sift in powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting becomes fluffy and luxurious. Stir in a hint of vanilla for extra flavor.

• Sandwich and Serve

Once cookies have completely cooled, slather a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies to create delightful, indulgent sandwiches.

Red Velvet Cookie Variations and Tips

• Baking Magic Unlocked: Pro Tips for Red Velvet Cookies
• Soft Butter Secret: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure perfect creamy texture and smoother dough incorporation.
• Color Control: Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more vibrant red color without changing cookie consistency or moisture levels.
• Chilling Technique: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create perfectly shaped, thick cookies with defined edges.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain cookie structure and texture.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute cream cheese frosting with vegan cream cheese or coconut whipped cream for lactose-intolerant or dairy-free diets, ensuring same creamy indulgence.

Serving Red Velvet Cookies with Frosting

• Sweet Party Platter: Arrange the red velvet cookie sandwiches on a beautiful dessert tray with fresh strawberries and mint leaves for elegant visual appeal.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these delightful cookies with hot Earl Grey tea or cold milk for a perfect mid-afternoon treat that brings comfort and joy.
• Gifting Delight: Package the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic ribbons, creating charming homemade gifts for friends, teachers, or holiday gatherings.
• Dessert Table Star: Display the cookie sandwiches alongside other red-themed desserts like raspberry tarts or cherry macarons for a stunning Valentine's Day or Christmas spread.

Best Storage for Red Velvet Cookies with Frosting

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Chilled Sanctuary: Store frosted cookies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the cream cheese frosting fresh and preventing bacterial growth.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Layer cookies between parchment paper in a sealed container and freeze unassembled for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before assembling with frosting.
• Room Temperature Strategy: Keep unfrosted cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, maintaining their soft texture and delicate crumb.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough ahead and refrigerate for 24 hours before baking, allowing flavors to develop and enhance the overall taste profile of your red velvet treats.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 322 kcal

Servings: 12

Velvety Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Indulgent red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting bring classic Southern charm to classic dessert expectations. Home bakers can savor rich chocolate notes and silky cream cheese elegance in one perfect sweet treat.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (226 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220 g) packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 ½ cups (320 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp red food coloring
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• ¼ cup (57 g / 4 tbsps) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Creaming Station: Whip butter and sugars until achieving a cloud-like, homogeneous texture with zero granular remnants.
2. Liquid Integration: Blend eggs individually, then infuse vanilla and crimson food coloring, creating a vibrant, cohesive foundation.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, forming a harmonious powder mixture.
4. Dough Preparation: Delicately incorporate dry components into wet ingredients, stirring minimally to preserve cookie’s tender structure.
5. Thermal Configuration: Calibrate oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal non-stick performance.
6. Cookie Formation: Sculpt uniform dough mounds, positioning them strategically with adequate spacing to prevent merging during baking.
7. Baking Choreography: Roast cookies for 10-12 minutes, monitoring for set perimeters and slightly yielding centers, indicating ideal doneness.
8. Cooling Protocol: Rest cookies momentarily on baking sheets, then transfer to wire rack for complete temperature equilibration.
9. Frosting Alchemy: Whisk cream cheese and butter until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency.
10. Frosting Refinement: Gradually fold powdered sugar and vanilla extract, crafting a luxurious, velvety cream.
11. Final Assembly: Once cookies reach ambient temperature, generously layer cream cheese frosting between cookies, transforming them into decadent sandwich delicacies.

Notes

• Master Butter Creaming: Whip butter and sugars until ultra-fluffy and zero sugar crystals remain, which ensures smooth, tender cookie texture.
• Control Food Coloring: Add red food coloring gradually to achieve vibrant crimson without compromising liquid balance in the dough.
• Prevent Overmixing: Fold dry ingredients gently and minimally to maintain soft, delicate cookie structure and avoid dense, tough results.
• Temperature Management: Let cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent cream cheese spread from melting and losing structural integrity.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 373
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 243 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 64 mg