Description
These Simple Red Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting are a soft, bakery-style treat that brings together rich cocoa flavor, a hint of vanilla, and a luscious swirl of cream cheese frosting. Perfect for holiday baking, Valentine’s Day, or whenever you’re craving a beautiful and indulgent dessert. They’re easy to make, require no dough chilling, and taste even better than they look. Whether you’re after quick breakfast ideas, easy dessert recipes, or fun food ideas to make with kids, these cookies are guaranteed to please.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
1 teaspoon white vinegar
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
4. Add egg, vanilla, red gel food coloring, and vinegar. Mix until smooth.
5. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
6. Scoop dough into 2-tablespoon balls and place on baking sheets.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are set. Let cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
8. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until fluffy.
10. Frost cooled cookies with a butter knife or piping bag.
Notes
Let cookies cool completely before frosting or the frosting may melt.
Gel food coloring is best for vivid color without thinning the dough.
Don’t overbake! Cookies should be slightly soft in the center when pulled from the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: red velvet cookies, cream cheese frosting, easy dessert, holiday cookies, Valentine's Day