As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you like the soft, frosted sugar cookies in the bakery section of your grocery, then you will adore these easy, soft red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting. They are perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, or any day that you’re craving red velvet anything.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
These cookies are pillowy, delicate, with a robust chocolate flavor and a tangy cream cheese frosting. To say that they are addictive is an understatement. Whip up the batter and chill while you enjoy the morning, then bake them in the afternoon for a simple, yet decadent treat.
HOW DO I KNOW THE COOKIES WILL BE SOFT?
- Instead of AP flour, this recipe will use cake flour, which will create a tender crumb in the cookie, and cornstarch, which gives the cookies a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Using a whole egg and an egg white adds extra moisture to help keep the cookie soft while baking.
- All granulated sugar creates crispy cookies. Replacing part of the granulated sugar with brown sugar will keep the cookies moist and soft.
- Finally, we’ll use butter for the flavor and shortening to keep the cookies extra soft.
MORE TIPS FOR THIS RECIPE
- Use gel food color for the vibrant red. You can use liquid, but the color will not be as rich.
- Chill the dough. This is crucial for thick, soft cookies.
- Don’t skip the little bit of vinegar. It will give the cookies the familiar tang that red velvet cake has.
- When you make the frosting, take the time to whip the frosting after the powdered sugar has been incorporated. This will make the icing light, fluffy, and very easy to spread.
MORE COOKIE RECIPES TO TRY:
- Pfeffernusse Cookies
- Salted Peanut Butter Cookies
- Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
- Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
SOFT RED VELVET COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Makes 24 cookies 1x
Description
These soft, red velvet cookies with cream cheese icing are the craveable cookies that you didn’t realize you needed in your life. Tangy, and full of red velvet flavor, these cookies are sure to be a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 2 ¼ cups cake flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup butter flavored shortening
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg white, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
For the frosting:
- ⅓ cup butter, room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 ½ – 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream, more if needed
- Sprinkles or jimmies for decorating (or one grated red velvet cookie)
Instructions
Make the cookies.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter, shortening, and both sugars. Mix on medium speed until light in color and fluffy.
Add the egg, egg white, vanilla, food coloring, and vinegar. Mix until combined.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly beat in the flour mixture (⅓ at a time). Mix just until fully mixed.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours to overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat.
Use 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Place the balls 2-inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten the balls with the bottom of a glass that has been dipped into flour or granulated sugar.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the tops are set and look dry, but the edges are NOT browned.
Cool the cookies completely on a wire rack.
Make the frosting:
Combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer.
Slowly beat in the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, then adding 1 tablespoon of heavy cream as needed.
Once the powdered sugar has been incorporated, increase the mixer speed to high and beat until very fluffy.
Use an offset spatula to frost the tops of the cookies and decorate with sprinkles or cookie crumbs.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts - Cookies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: soft red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting, homemade cookies, red velvet, cream cheese frosting, cookie recipes, dessert recipes
