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Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 177 reviews

These Red Velvet Cookies feature a tender, fudgy texture with the classic deep red color and subtle cocoa flavor characteristic of red velvet. Rolled in homemade red sanding sugar, these cookies are perfectly festive and slightly crisp on the edges, with a soft, underbaked center. Ideal for holiday treats or anytime you want a luscious, colorful twist on classic cookies.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies

  • 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon (110 g) light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons red gel food coloring
  • 1 1/4 cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted (Dutch-process or Hershey’s Special Dark preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup red sanding sugar (for rolling)

Red Sanding Sugar

  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated or coarse sugar
  • Dollop of red gel food coloring (do not use liquid food coloring)

Instructions

  1. Melt Butter: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter, or alternatively, melt it in the microwave. Pour the melted butter onto a shallow bowl or plate and freeze for 5 to 8 minutes, ensuring it is cooled but not solid.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: Transfer the slightly cooled butter into a medium mixing bowl. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and red gel food coloring. Whisk thoroughly until well combined.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sifted cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and flavor.
  4. Make Dough: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Using a large spatula, gently fold the ingredients together, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture in the cookies.
  5. Rest Dough & Preheat Oven: Let the dough rest while preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking.
  6. Form Cookies: Using a medium cookie scoop, portion the dough into approximately 2-ounce balls. Roll each ball in the prepared red sanding sugar, then place them on the lined baking sheets, spacing them 2 to 3 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  7. Bake: Bake the cookies for 9 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly puffed and underbaked. Avoid overbaking to keep the centers soft. Remove from the oven and optionally sprinkle with additional sugar. The cookies will deflate as they cool.
  8. Prepare Red Sanding Sugar: Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large plastic bag, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar with a dollop of red gel food coloring. Shake the bag and massage with your hands to thoroughly coat the sugar with the coloring.
  9. Sift Sugar: Sift the colored sugar through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl, discarding any large clumps. Repeat the sifting several times until the sugar is uniformly colored.
  10. Bake Colored Sugar: Spread the sifted sanding sugar evenly on the prepared baking sheet by hand. Bake for 10 minutes at 250°F to dry the sugar and set the color.
  11. Cool Sugar: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the sugar to cool for at least 15 minutes before using it to roll or sprinkle over the cookies.

Notes

  • Do not overbake the cookies to ensure a soft, fudgy center.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without thinning the dough.
  • Cooling the melted butter slightly before mixing helps prevent cooking the egg when combined.
  • Ensure cookies have space on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and allow even baking.
  • Red sanding sugar can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container.

Keywords: Red Velvet Cookies, red velvet dessert, holiday cookies, cocoa cookies, red sanding sugar, homemade cookies

Find it online: https://lieblingsmahlzeit.com/red-velvet-cookies-recipe/