These cookies combine the classic flavors of red velvet cake—subtle cocoa, buttery richness, and a hint of vanilla—with a soft, chewy texture and a beautiful cracked, powdered sugar exterior. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, birthday parties, or simply as a treat to enjoy at home.
What makes these cookies even more special is their versatility. With a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can customize them to suit any occasion. Whether you want to add chocolate chips, make them gluten-free, or simply enjoy them as-is, Red Cookies are bound to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients:
To achieve that perfect red velvet flavor and crinkle effect, it’s important to use the right ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at each component of the recipe.
Flour
All-purpose flour forms the base of the cookie dough. It provides the structure that holds the cookies together while baking. Make sure to measure it properly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife. Too much flour can result in dense, dry cookies.
Cocoa Powder
While red velvet has a subtle chocolate flavor, the cocoa powder is essential for giving these cookies their classic red velvet taste. Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results. A small amount goes a long way, so don’t overdo it—just enough to complement the sweetness of the cookie.
Baking Powder
Baking powder helps the cookies rise and gives them their soft, airy texture. It’s also responsible for the crinkling effect, as it causes the cookies to expand in the oven, creating those signature cracks.
Salt
Salt might seem like a small ingredient, but it plays a big role in balancing the sweetness and enhancing the other flavors in the cookie.
Butter
Using unsalted butter ensures you have full control over the amount of salt in your cookies. Butter adds moisture and richness, contributing to the soft, chewy texture we love in crinkle cookies. Make sure your butter is at room temperature before you start, as this will help it cream better with the sugar.
Sugar
Both granulated sugar and powdered sugar play important roles in this recipe. Granulated sugar is mixed into the dough, while powdered sugar is used to coat the dough balls before baking. This powdered sugar coating is what creates the crinkle effect, as the cookies expand and crack in the oven.
Eggs
Eggs provide structure and moisture to the cookie dough. They also help bind the ingredients together. For best results, use room temperature eggs, as they mix more easily with the other ingredients and help the dough come together smoothly.
Red Food Coloring
The vibrant hue is what defines red velvet cookies, and they wouldn’t be the same without it. Red food coloring provides these cookies with their iconic appearance. You can easily adjust the amount depending on how bold you’d like the color to be. Alternatively, if you prefer a more natural option, beetroot powder is a great substitute.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookies and adds warmth to the red velvet taste. A high-quality vanilla extract will make a noticeable difference in the final product.
For tips on substituting ingredients, check out this guide to ingredient swaps.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Now that you’ve gathered all your ingredients, it’s time to start baking. Follow these simple steps for perfect Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies every time.
1. Prepare the Dough
Start by whisking together the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, so the cookies bake uniformly.
In a separate, larger bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the mixture until it’s light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the dough, helping the cookies rise.
Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring, adjusting the amount of coloring until you achieve the desired red hue.
2. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed. It’s important not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated.
3. Chill the Dough
Once your dough is mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps the butter firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also enhances the flavor and ensures that the powdered sugar coating sticks to the dough.
4. Roll in Powdered Sugar
After the dough has chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and roll each ball generously in powdered sugar. Make sure each dough ball is completely coated—this is what gives the cookies their crinkled appearance. The powdered sugar coating will crack and split as the cookies expand in the oven.
5. Bake
Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set around the edges but still soft in the center. You want the cookies to have a slightly underbaked texture when they come out of the oven, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.
6. Cool and Serve
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. These cookies are best enjoyed slightly warm, when the center is still soft and chewy.
Delicious Variations on Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
While the classic recipe is always a hit, there are plenty of ways to customize your Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies and add your own twist. Here are some delicious variations to try.
1. Add White Chocolate Chips
For a sweeter, creamier flavor, consider adding white chocolate chips to your cookie dough. The white chocolate pairs perfectly with the subtle cocoa notes of the red velvet, creating a delicious contrast. Simply fold the chips into the dough before chilling.
2. Vegan Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
If you’re looking for a plant-based version, you can easily make these cookies vegan. Substitute the butter with a vegan margarine or coconut oil, and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water) in place of the eggs. Ensure your cocoa powder and food coloring are also vegan-friendly.
3. Gluten-Free Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
For a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binding agent to help the cookies hold their shape. The result is a soft, chewy cookie that’s just as delicious as the original.
4. Add a Cream Cheese Filling
Take inspiration from the classic pairing of red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting by adding a cream cheese filling to your cookies. To do this, make a simple cream cheese mixture (cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract), then stuff a small amount inside each dough ball before rolling it in powdered sugar.
5. Use Natural Food Coloring
If you prefer to avoid artificial food dyes, try using beetroot powder as a natural alternative. Beetroot powder gives the cookies a lovely red hue without altering the flavor. It’s a great option for those who want a more natural approach to baking.
For more inspiration, check out this guide to baking crinkle cookies.
Nutritional Information and Healthier Alternatives
Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional content of one Red Velvet Crinkle Cookie:
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 2g
- Sugars: 15g
While these cookies are a sweet treat, there are several ways to make them a bit healthier without compromising on flavor. Here are some easy substitutions:
Reduce Sugar
You can reduce the amount of granulated sugar in the dough by about 25% without affecting the texture or flavor. Using less sugar makes the cookies slightly less sweet but still delicious.
Swap in Whole Wheat Flour
For added fiber and a more wholesome cookie, try substituting half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. The whole wheat flour adds a slightly nutty flavor and a bit of texture, making the cookies more nutritious.
Plant-Based Butter
For a dairy-free or vegan version, use plant-based butter instead of regular butter. Most plant-based butters work well in baking and provide the same richness and moisture.
Expert Baking Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Baking the perfect crinkle cookie requires more than just following a recipe. Here are some expert tips to ensure your cookies turn out soft, chewy, and beautifully crinkled every time.
1. Chill the Dough
One of the most important steps in this recipe is chilling the dough. Skipping this step can cause the cookies to spread too much in the oven, losing their crinkled appearance. Chilling also enhances the flavor, giving the dough time to develop a richer taste.
2. Measure Ingredients Accurately
Baking is a science, and measuring ingredients correctly is key to getting the right texture. Use a kitchen scale if possible to measure your flour, sugar, and butter. Too much flour can make the cookies dense, while too much butter can cause them to spread too thin.
3. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start baking. Room temperature ingredients blend together more smoothly, creating a dough that’s easier to work with and bakes evenly.
4. Roll Generously in Powdered Sugar
For the perfect crinkle effect, be generous when rolling the dough in powdered sugar. The sugar coating will crack and split as the cookies expand in the oven, creating that iconic look.
5. Don’t Overbake
To keep your cookies soft and chewy, avoid overbaking them. The cookies should be slightly underbaked when you remove them from the oven, with set edges but a soft center. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Storing and Freezing Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
If you want to make these cookies ahead of time or store leftovers, here’s how to keep them fresh and delicious.
Storing
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to five days. To keep them soft, you can add a slice of bread to the container. The moisture from the bread will help prevent the cookies from drying out.
Freezing the Dough
You can freeze the dough for up to three months. Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, roll the frozen dough balls in powdered sugar and bake as directed, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Freezing Baked Cookies
Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to three months. Let them cool completely before placing them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. To serve, thaw the cookies at room temperature or warm them in the oven for a few minutes to refresh them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
What makes cookies crinkle? The crinkle effect happens when the outer layer of the cookie sets before the inside is fully baked. As the inside expands, it cracks the sugar-coated surface, creating the signature crinkle pattern.
Can I make these cookies without red food coloring? Yes, you can make these cookies without red food coloring. If you prefer a natural alternative, try using beetroot powder, which gives the cookies a red hue without altering the flavor.
How do you keep crinkle cookies soft? To keep crinkle cookies soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread to the container can help retain moisture.
Pairing Ideas for Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
These cookies pair wonderfully with a variety of beverages and desserts. Here are some ideas for delicious pairings:
Hot Chocolate
The rich, creamy flavor of hot chocolate complements the subtle cocoa notes in red velvet crinkle cookies. For an extra festive touch, add a dash of peppermint extract to your hot cocoa.
Milk
You can’t go wrong with the classic combination of cookies and milk. A cold glass of milk is the perfect match for these soft, chewy cookies.
Cream Cheese Frosting Dip
Red velvet cake is often paired with cream cheese frosting, and the same idea works for these cookies. Make a simple cream cheese dip by mixing cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Serve the dip alongside the cookies for a fun twist.
Conclusion:
This Recipe is the perfect blend of rich, cocoa flavor and a soft, chewy texture. Their vibrant red color and crinkled powdered sugar top make them a festive addition to any holiday table or celebration.
This recipe is easy to follow, adaptable to different dietary needs, and guaranteed to impress.