If you’re searching for a cookie that brings vibrant color, irresistible softness, and a touch of chocolatey goodness all wrapped up in one bite, look no further than this one-of-a-kind Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Delight Recipe. These cookies are the perfect festive treat that combines the classic charm of red velvet with a powdered sugar coating that cracks beautifully as they bake. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, gift giving, or simply brightening your day, these cookies promise a joyful experience from start to finish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward and approachable ingredients that come together to create those signature red velvet flavors and textures. Every item in the list plays a crucial role, from the cocoa powder adding subtle chocolate depth to the red food coloring giving the cookies their iconic vibrancy.
- All-purpose flour: The base of your cookie dough, providing structure and chewiness.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Packs in that rich chocolate undertone essential to red velvet goodies.
- Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough to get soft and tender.
- Baking soda: Works with acidic ingredients to produce a lovely crumb and slight leavening.
- Salt: Balances flavors and enhances sweetness without being salty.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and helps achieve that gentle, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens while contributing to the cookie’s crisp edges.
- Brown sugar (packed): Brings moisture and a hint of caramel depth for a more complex flavor.
- Large eggs: Bind ingredients together and add softness.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the red velvet flavor with a warm, cozy note.
- Red food coloring: The star of the show, giving these cookies their festive and eye-catching hue.
- Powdered sugar (for coating): Creates the classic crinkle effect and adds a delightful sweetness with every bite.
How to Make Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Delight Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by combining your all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk these together thoroughly to ensure every bite of your cookie will have an even flavor and texture. Setting this mixture aside now saves you steps later and helps the wet and dry ingredients integrate more smoothly.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is where the magic begins—the aeration here ensures your Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Delight Recipe gets that perfect tender crumb and gentle rise, so don’t rush this step.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Next, mix in those eggs, vanilla extract, and of course, the vibrant red food coloring. The batter will become beautifully glossy and bright, making this stage just as fun as the taste is rewarding.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly fold your dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture. Be gentle and avoid overmixing; you want the dough just combined to keep the cookies soft and tender without becoming dense.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chill time helps firm up the dough so the cookies hold their shape and don’t spread too much during baking—essential for that iconic crinkle effect!
Step 6: Preheat the Oven
While the dough chills, set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Prep is key to a smooth baking session.
Step 7: Shape the Cookies
Once chilled, scoop the dough into small balls using a cookie scoop or tablespoon. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated to create the signature crinkle look as they bake—this is what makes these cookies truly festive and irresistible.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Arrange your sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheet with about 2 inches of space in between. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and tender. The smell in your kitchen right now? Absolutely divine and a beautiful preview of the yum to come.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
Give your cookies about 5 minutes to cool on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting time helps them firm up just enough while keeping that lovely chewiness inside. Now, your Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Delight Recipe is ready to be enjoyed with friends or family!
How to Serve Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Delight Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, try dusting a little more powdered sugar over the cooled cookies or even sprinkling tiny white chocolate chips on top before baking the last batch. Fresh raspberries on the side can really brighten the flavor and add a subtle tartness that complements the rich cookie perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a cozy cup of hot cocoa for the ultimate comfort duo. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream alongside elevates them to an indulgent dessert that’s hard to forget.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them up on a festive plate and tie with a red ribbon for gifting. You can also place your Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Delight Recipe in decorative tins or cellophane bags to share with loved ones. They look stunning arranged on holiday dessert trays, especially when mixed with other cookie varieties for a colorful spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Keeping them sealed helps retain their softness and prevents drying out—perfect for enjoying a sweet treat days after baking.
Freezing
Want to bake ahead? Bake the cookies completely, cool them, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container. They freeze beautifully and will keep well for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
If you want to bring back that freshly baked warmth, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or heat in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. This revives their soft texture and aroma, making every bite taste like it just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use natural cocoa powder instead of Dutch-processed?
Yes, you can use natural cocoa powder, but be aware it may slightly affect the color and flavor since Dutch-processed is milder and less acidic. The texture of the cookies will still be great.
Is there a substitute for red food coloring?
You can try using natural alternatives like beet juice or powdered freeze-dried strawberries, though the color might be less vibrant. For the classic look of Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Delight Recipe, traditional red food coloring works best.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling helps solidify the fats in the dough, which prevents excessive spreading while baking and enhances the texture. It’s a key step to get that perfect crinkle effect and thick, chewy cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
With some modifications, yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Keep an eye on the dough consistency as gluten-free flours absorb moisture differently.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should look set and slightly firm, while the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked. They will continue to firm up as they cool, giving you a tender, chewy cookie every time.
Final Thoughts
I truly can’t recommend enough that you give the Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Delight Recipe a try. It’s a charming little project that fills your kitchen with warmth and fills your heart with joy. Whether you’re baking for yourself, friends, or family, these cookies bring festive cheer with every bite, turning simple ingredients into something magical.
Print
Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are festive, soft-centered treats with a tender crumb and a striking red color, perfectly coated in a snowy layer of powdered sugar. These cookies are a delightful combination of cocoa and red velvet flavors, ideal for holiday celebrations or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients & Sugars
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
For Coating
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar using a mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Incorporate eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until fully blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This ensures the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop dough portions and roll into balls. Then roll each ball in powdered sugar until completely coated.
- Bake the Cookies: Arrange the coated dough balls on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is important to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Use good quality cocoa powder for richer chocolate flavor.
- Red food coloring intensity can be adjusted based on your preference.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
