Description
Delight in these charming Heart Shaped Red Velvet Cookies, a perfect sweet treat to share on special occasions like Valentine’s Day or anniversaries. Soft and tender with a hint of cocoa and a vibrant red hue, these cookies are easy to make and can be beautifully decorated with white chocolate or cream cheese frosting for an extra touch of elegance.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Decoration
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or cream cheese frosting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps in creating a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring into the butter-sugar mixture, beating until everything is fully combined and smooth, giving the dough its signature red velvet color.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to distribute all leavening and flavoring agents evenly.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Roll Out Dough and Cut Shapes: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft, ensuring a tender cookie with a slight chew.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool directly on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage and maintaining their shape.
- Optional Decoration: Once fully cooled, drizzle with melted white chocolate chips or pipe cream cheese frosting on top for a decorative and flavorful finish.
Notes
- If the dough feels too soft or sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes before rolling out to make handling easier.
- For a more vibrant and intense red color, use gel-based food coloring instead of liquid.
- These cookies make a thoughtful, homemade gift for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any occasion to share a little love.
