Description
These vibrant and tender cookies deliver all the decadence of red velvet cake with the ease of a cookie. Topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, they’re an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (20g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon instant milk powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoons red liquid-gel food coloring
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 3 ounces (85g) cream cheese (block)
- 6 tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (195g) powdered sugar
Instructions
-
Prepare the Dough
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, milk powder, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, cream butter, vegetable oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add egg, vanilla extract, vinegar, and red food coloring. Mix well.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms.
-
Bake the Cookies
- Scoop the dough into balls (about 1 ½ tablespoons each) and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 3 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cookies are puffed and slightly cracked.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
-
Make the Frosting
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla extract and gradually incorporate powdered sugar until creamy and spreadable. Chill for 30 minutes if necessary.
-
Decorate the Cookies
- Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cookies or pipe swirls using a star tip for a professional finish. Garnish with red sugar, cookie crumbs, or sprinkles for added flair.
Notes
- For a more vibrant hue, adjust the amount of red food coloring.
- Dough can be refrigerated for 15-30 minutes if too sticky to handle.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American