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Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 91 reviews

Delight in these festive Red Velvet Cookies topped with creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting. Perfectly tender and mildly chocolatey, these cookies are rolled thin, cut into charming shapes, and baked to soft perfection. A luscious cream cheese frosting adds the ideal sweet and tangy finish, making them irresistible for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies

  • 3 cups (381 grams) all purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 1/4 cup (21 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 1/2 sticks (170 grams) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at cool room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (125 grams) powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

  1. Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside to ensure even mixing and a light texture.
  2. Make cookie dough: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Mix in vanilla extract and red gel food coloring until blended. On low speed, gradually add the sifted dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, form it into a disk, and chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour or up to 2 days.
  3. Roll and shape dough: Line large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the chilled dough between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap on a flat surface. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. If it’s too firm to roll, let it rest at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. Use a tall metal cookie cutter to cut out shapes, then transfer them to prepared baking sheets.
  4. Chill shaped dough: Place baking sheets with cookies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until the dough firms up again, ensuring the cookies hold shape during baking. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Prepare for baking: Remove baking sheets from refrigerator and prick the surface of the dough all over using the end of an instant-read thermometer or a skewer to prevent bubbling and ensure even baking.
  6. Bake cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 11 minutes until set but still soft to the touch. Let them cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. Store cookies: Once cooled, cookies can be stored in airtight containers or frozen for up to 1 month for future enjoyment.
  8. Make cream cheese frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until very light and smooth. Reduce to low speed and gradually add sifted powdered sugar, beating until fluffy and spreadable.
  9. Frost cookies: Using a small offset spatula, spread a generous layer of frosting over each cooled cookie. Optionally, decorate with sprinkles. Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in a single layer or separated by parchment paper for up to 1 day to keep frosting fresh.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure butter and eggs are at cool room temperature before mixing.
  • Don’t skip sifting powdered sugar for frosting to avoid lumps.
  • Chilling the dough twice (once before rolling, once after cutting) helps maintain cookie shape and texture.
  • Pricking the dough before baking prevents bubbles and uneven surfaces.
  • The frosting is best applied when cookies are completely cool to prevent melting.
  • Cookies can be frozen unbaked or baked; thaw properly before frosting if freezing baked cookies.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant red without thinning the dough.

Keywords: red velvet cookies, cream cheese frosting, holiday cookies, soft cookies, baked cookies, festive desserts

Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/red-velvet-cookies-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/