If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that exudes warmth, charm, and just the right touch of festive flair, this Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is absolutely the way to go. These ruby-red cookies boast a tender, cakey crumb infused with subtle cocoa, balanced perfectly by a luscious dollop of spiced cream cheese frosting. Every bite offers that nostalgic red velvet flavor in a fun, handheld form, making them an instant favorite for holiday parties, cozy nights, or whenever your sweet tooth calls for something special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun, and luckily, this recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly staples that come together beautifully. Each element plays a key role—from the flour that gives structure, to the cocoa powder that adds a deep richness, and the cream cheese that lends the frosting its irresistible tang.
- All-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups): Provides the perfect base for soft, tender cookies.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1/4 cup): Adds that subtle chocolate flavor key to red velvet treats.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just right for a light texture.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- Unsalted butter (8 tablespoons): At room temp, it ensures creamy, fluffy cookie dough.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens each cookie perfectly without graininess.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and adds moisture.
- Eggnog or milk (1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle holiday twist and helps with dough consistency.
- Red food coloring (1 tablespoon or 3/4 tsp gel): Gives the cookies their signature vibrant hue.
- Vanilla extract (1 ½ teaspoons): Brings warmth and depth to the flavor.
- Peppermint extract (1 teaspoon, optional): A festive touch that brightens the holiday spirit.
- Sour cream (1/4 cup): Adds tenderness and moisture for a soft, cakey texture.
- Sprinkles (optional): For a fun and festive decoration on top.
- Cream cheese (4 oz., room temperature): The star in the rich and tangy frosting.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): Adds smoothness to the frosting.
- Eggnog or milk (2 tablespoons): Helps achieve the perfect frosting consistency.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon): Adds cozy spiciness to the frosting.
- Pinch of ground nutmeg and salt: Rounds out the frosting flavor with subtle warmth and balance.
How to Make Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Bake Sheets
This step sets you up for smooth sailing. Make sure your sour cream, eggs, and butter have come to room temperature—this is key for perfectly blended dough. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to keep those gorgeous cookies from sticking, and then preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s hot and ready when the cookie dough is.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisking together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt ensures even distribution of leaveners and seasoning. This simple combination is what gives your cookies their signature subtle chocolate flavor and light texture without heaviness.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy and light—about two minutes. This step introduces air into the dough, essential for that tender crumb. Next, add in the egg, eggnog or milk, red food coloring, vanilla, and optional peppermint extract, mixing just until combined to keep things moist and flavorful.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Lower the mixer speed to avoid overmixing and add half of your dry ingredient blend, followed by the creamy sour cream, then the remaining dry mix. This alternating method keeps the dough tender and balanced with moisture, creating a dough that’s sticky but incredibly soft on baking.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Because the dough is delightfully sticky, ease your work by lightly spraying your hands with cooking spray and dusting with flour. Use a cookie scoop to portion out two-tablespoon balls, spacing them about two and a half inches apart on your prepared baking sheets to give the cookies room to spread tastefully.
Step 6: Bake Until Soft and Set
Bake your red velvet beauties at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the centers are just barely set, roughly 9 to 11 minutes. They’ll stay soft and cakey as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake. After removing from the oven, cool them on the baking sheets for five minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, a necessary step before frosting.
Step 7: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cookies cool, whip up your frosting. Beat the cream cheese, butter, and eggnog or milk together until silky. Stir in vanilla, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt to create that cozy spiced note. Gradually add powdered sugar until you reach your desired smooth, spreadable consistency, adding extra eggnog if needed.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Once cooled, generously frost each cookie with your spiced cream cheese frosting. For added holiday cheer or personal touch, sprinkle colorful toppings like red and white sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or even festive shaped candies. It’s all about making these cookies not only taste heavenly but look impossible to resist.
How to Serve Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Adding just a bit of decoration elevates these cookies from delicious to dazzling. Classic holiday sprinkles, tiny edible pearls, or a dusting of cocoa powder are simple yet effective choices. If you want a seasonal spin, crushed peppermint candies or mini chocolate chips make for delightful textural contrasts.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with comforting hot drinks. A rich cup of hot cocoa, creamy eggnog, or a robust cup of coffee complements the sweet and tangy flavors perfectly. For a brunch or dessert platter, consider placing these alongside fruit preserves, cream cheese dips, or even alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your cookies into a festive gift by stacking them inside clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon or arrange them elegantly on a decorative platter with seasonal accents like pinecones or holly. You can also sandwich frosting between two cookies for an extra indulgent treat that doubles as a delightful surprise for your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After frosting, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps them soft and flavorful, while protecting the delicate frosting from drying out. For best texture, avoid refrigerating unless your kitchen is very warm.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, these cookies freeze beautifully. Freeze them unfrosted on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a sealed container or freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw completely before frosting. Alternatively, freeze fully frosted cookies between layers of parchment paper for up to a month.
Reheating
To enjoy cookies fresh from the oven after storage, warm them gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. This revives their soft texture without melting the frosting too much.
FAQs
Can I substitute regular milk for eggnog in this recipe?
Absolutely! Eggnog adds a subtle holiday flavor, but regular milk works just fine and maintains the right consistency for your dough and frosting.
What if I don’t have red food coloring?
You could try natural alternatives like beet juice or powder, but the classic vibrant red color of red velvet might be less intense. It’s best to use red food coloring or gel for that iconic look.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, by swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend suitable for baking, you can enjoy these cookies with a gluten-free twist. Just check that the blend contains xanthan gum for structure.
How long do frosted cookies stay fresh?
Frosted cookies generally stay fresh at room temperature for about three days. Beyond that, the frosting may begin to dry out or the cookies may lose softness.
Is the peppermint extract necessary?
Not at all! Peppermint extract is optional and adds a festive, minty note perfect for holidays, but you can easily leave it out or substitute with almond or orange extract for a different flavor profile.
Final Thoughts
This Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is truly a joy to make and even more delightful to share. From the tender, cocoa-touched cookies to the decadent, spiced frosting, every bite feels like a little celebration. Whether you’re gifting them or serving at your own table, these cookies will quickly become a cherished favorite. I hope you have as much fun making and enjoying them as I always do!
Print
Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Red Velvet Cookies, soft and chewy treats with a hint of cocoa and a rich cream cheese frosting spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect for holiday celebrations or any occasion, these cookies combine traditional red velvet flavors with a luscious frosting and optional peppermint extract for a seasonal touch.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour (fluffed, spooned, and leveled)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cookie Dough
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon eggnog (or milk)
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring or 3/4 teaspoon gel color
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional for holidays)
- 1/4 cup sour cream, room temperature
Frosting
- 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons eggnog (or milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground nutmeg and salt
Decoration (Optional)
- Sprinkles
- Candy canes
- Santa faces candies
Instructions
- Prep: Ensure your sour cream, eggs, and butter are at room temperature. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or non-slip mats. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Wet Ingredients: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg, eggnog or milk, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract (if using), beating until just combined, about 30 seconds.
- Combine: Reduce the mixer speed to low and add half of the dry flour mixture, then the sour cream, followed by the remaining flour mixture. Mix just until combined without overmixing.
- Form Cookie Balls: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form the dough into two-tablespoon-sized balls. Because the dough is sticky, spray your hands lightly with cooking spray mixed with flour to handle the dough. Place the balls 2 ½ inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the cookie centers are just set. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a clean stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, beat crisp cream cheese, butter, eggnog or milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Add the ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, mixing to combine. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth and fluffy. Add additional eggnog if needed to reach your preferred frosting consistency.
- Frost and Decorate: Once the cookies are thoroughly cooled, frost each cookie generously with the cream cheese frosting. Decorate with sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or festive Santa face candies as desired.
Notes
- Make sure all dairy ingredients such as butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs are at room temperature for smooth mixing and better texture.
- The dough is sticky; chilling it briefly or using cooking spray on your hands helps with handling.
- If red food coloring is unavailable, gel coloring can be used to achieve a vibrant red hue.
- Optional peppermint extract adds a festive holiday flavor but can be omitted for a classic red velvet taste.
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should be soft in the center to retain moisture and chewiness.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze unfrosted baked cookies for longer storage.
