Ultimate Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing
Soft and chewy red velvet cookies with a subtle cocoa flavor, topped with smooth, tangy cream cheese icing for a bakery-style treat that is easy to make at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red liquid food coloring
- 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together.
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and mix until combined.
- Mix in vanilla extract and red food coloring.
- Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop dough into balls and place on baking sheets.
- Gently flatten each dough ball slightly.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until fluffy.
- Spread or pipe icing onto cooled cookies.
Notes
Do not overbake the cookies and allow them to cool completely before icing for best texture and appearance.