Description
Red velvet cookies are soft, chewy, and vibrantly red treats with a rich cocoa base, hint of vanilla, and festive appearance perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or holiday baking. Easily made gluten-free or lower-sugar.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
– ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
– 1 large egg, room temperature
– 2 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 tbsp liquid red food coloring (or 1 tsp gel coloring)
Dry Ingredients:
– 1½ cups (188g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
– ¼ cup (22g) unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1 tsp baking soda
– ¼ tsp kosher salt
Optional:
– Red sanding sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Beat in egg, vanilla, and red food coloring until smooth and evenly colored.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 6 days).
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls. (Optional: roll in red sanding sugar.)
- Place dough balls 1 inch apart on prepared sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until puffed and tops are cracked.
- Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
– Use high-quality cocoa powder for best flavor and color depth.
– Chill the dough this prevents overspreading and enhances chewiness.
– Gel food coloring is more concentrated and won’t thin the dough like liquid coloring.
– Gluten-free: Substitute with 1:1 certified gluten-free flour blend.
– Lower-sugar option: Replace granulated sugar with monk fruit blend or coconut sugar (may slightly alter texture).
– Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ 1+ hours chilling)
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Cookie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: ~90
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg