Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are the ultimate treat for any occasion, especially during the holidays! These cookies have the perfect balance of a rich, fudgy texture and a pop of color from the deep red hue. The light dusting of powdered sugar creates a beautiful crinkle effect on top, making them as eye-catching as they are delicious. Whether for a holiday gathering, a special occasion, or just a sweet treat for yourself, these cookies are sure to be a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Fudgy Texture: These cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with flavor, just like a perfect brownie.
- Gorgeous Color: The bright red color adds a festive touch to your cookie tray.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, these cookies come together easily and bake up beautifully.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Red food coloring (gel or liquid)
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar (for rolling)
You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements below.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). This will help create that perfect chewy texture.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Food Coloring
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract and red food coloring until the dough reaches your desired shade of red.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. You’ll have a thick, slightly sticky dough.
Step 6: Roll the Dough into Balls
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar, making sure it’s coated completely.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies have crinkled and are set on the edges but still soft in the center.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring provides a deeper, more vibrant red color without adding too much liquid to the dough.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: To keep the cookies chewy, mix the dough just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cookie.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): If your dough feels too sticky, you can chill it for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
Recipe Variations
- Add White Chocolate Chips: For an extra treat, fold in some white chocolate chips to give the cookies a sweet contrast against the rich red velvet flavor.
- Use Other Colors: Switch up the food coloring to create different-colored crinkle cookies for other holidays or celebrations.
- Make It a Brownie Bite: If you prefer more of a brownie-like texture, bake the dough in mini muffin tins instead of rolling into cookie balls.
Serving Suggestions
These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are perfect for:
- Adding to your holiday cookie tray for a festive touch.
- Pairing with a cold glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or even a warm mug of hot cocoa.
- Wrapping up as a sweet gift for friends or family members during the holidays.
FAQs
1. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Chilling the dough will also help the cookies retain their crinkle effect.
2. Can I freeze the dough for later?
Absolutely! Roll the dough into balls, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Bake them straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
3. Can I use a different type of food coloring?
You can use liquid food coloring, but gel food coloring will provide a more intense color without affecting the dough’s texture.
4. Why didn’t my cookies crinkle?
The crinkle effect is caused by the powdered sugar on the outside of the dough. If the cookies didn’t crinkle, it might be because the dough was too warm when you rolled them, or the sugar coating wasn’t thick enough. Make sure the dough is chilled slightly before rolling and that the sugar is generously coated.
Conclusion
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are the perfect addition to any festive occasion. With their vibrant red color, fudgy texture, and irresistible crinkle topping, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Simple to make, yet packed with flavor, they’ll quickly become a holiday tradition or a go-to treat for any time of year. Try them today, and let the crinkle magic unfold!
Print
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies – Festive and Fudgy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are soft, fudgy, and bursting with a rich red velvet flavor. Topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, they have a festive crinkled appearance, making them perfect for holidays, parties, or any special occasion. With just the right amount of sweetness and a slight cocoa flavor, these cookies are sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring (gel preferred)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Wet Ingredients:
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, mixing until combined and smooth.
- Combine the Dry and Wet Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined into a thick dough.
- Form the Cookies:
- Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out dough. Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar until fully coated, then place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are crinkled. The center should still be soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve:
- Serve these festive, fudgy Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies at your next gathering, or enjoy them with a glass of milk!
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red color. Liquid food coloring may not provide the same rich color.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg