There’s something cozy about red velvet season. Maybe it’s the rich cocoa aroma that fills the kitchen or the glossy swirl of cream cheese frosting that feels a bit like a winter sweater for your cookie. Either way, these Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies bring bakery-style comfort right to your own oven.
Table of Contents
Why These Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies Are So Good
These cookies nail that signature Crumbl texture soft, thick, and just a touch gooey in the middle. Each bite balances deep cocoa flavor with a gentle tang, while the cream cheese frosting adds creamy sweetness that ties everything together. The hint of vinegar keeps the crumb tender and bright.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Cookies and Frosting
Cookie Ingredients Explained
You’ll need butter, white and brown sugar, and a single egg to create a tender, flavorful base. Vinegar and red food coloring give that iconic color and slight tang. The vanilla extract rounds out the flavor. For the dry mix, combine flour, natural cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt for lift and structure.
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients Explained
The frosting uses butter and full-fat cream cheese, both softened for smoothness. Powdered sugar adds body and sweetness, while vanilla extract gives that classic frosting flavor. Beat it well until it’s light and fluffy this step makes a big difference in texture.
How to Make Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies Step by Step
Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. This ensures even distribution and prevents clumps later.
Cream the Butter and Sugars
Beat butter with white and brown sugars until fluffy. This adds air, which helps the cookies stay soft while still thick.
Add Egg, Coloring, and Flavor
Next, add the egg, vinegar, red food coloring, and vanilla. Mix just until smooth. The batter should be a rich, even red.
Combine, Chill, and Shape the Dough
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet. Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes to keep the cookies thick while baking. Scoop into 5 large balls, reserving a small bit for topping.
Bake for the Perfect Soft Texture
Flatten each dough ball slightly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 10–11 minutes, adding that reserved dough piece halfway through baking. Cool for 5 minutes before moving to a rack.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Slowly mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until creamy and light. Don’t rush this step the texture should feel airy.
Frost and Finish the Cookies
Once the cookies are cool, pipe the frosting on top in a swirl. Crumble the extra baked dough and sprinkle it over each one. Let them set before serving.
Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Cookies Every Time
Prevent Overbaking
Remove cookies when the edges are set and centers look slightly soft. They’ll finish firming up as they cool.
Why Chilling the Dough Matters
Chilled dough holds shape better, giving those tall, bakery-style cookies instead of flat ones.
Getting Smooth, Fluffy Frosting
Use fully softened butter and cream cheese. Cold ingredients cause lumps and ruin that silky finish.
Food Coloring and Cocoa Powder Notes
Use natural cocoa for authentic flavor and acidity. A little food coloring goes a long way avoid overdoing it to prevent bitterness.
Substitutions and Variations
Ingredient Swaps That Work
You can use gel food coloring instead of liquid for richer color. Try apple cider vinegar or lemon juice if you don’t have white vinegar. For a quick brown sugar fix, mix white sugar with molasses.
Flavor or Texture Adjustments
Add mini chocolate chips for more cocoa bite or a hint of espresso powder to deepen the flavor.
Texture and Flavor Guide
These cookies are soft and slightly cake-like, with a melt-in-your-mouth center. The frosting adds tangy balance and creamy contrast. Every bite feels rich, not overly sweet, and perfectly smooth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve them slightly chilled for a firmer frosting, or at room temperature for creamy softness. Pair with a glass of cold milk or a mug of coffee. These cookies also look beautiful on a dessert board beside soft and chewy salted butterscotch cookies or mini banana cream pies with no baking required.
Storing, Freezing, and Make-Ahead Instructions
Short-Term Storage
Keep cookies at room temperature up to 3 days in an airtight container or refrigerate up to 1 week. Bring to room temp before serving.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months, placing parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
Make-Ahead Dough Tips
You can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days or freeze it in scoops. Add a few extra minutes of bake time if baking from frozen.
Batch Size, Timing, and Recipe Difficulty
This recipe makes 6 large cookies. Prep time takes about 30–45 minutes, bake time 10–15 minutes, and total time around 1 hour. The difficulty is medium—perfect for intermediate bakers ready for a fun weekend bake.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Crumbl cookie have red velvet cookies?
Yes, Crumbl often features red velvet cookies as part of their rotating menu, especially during holidays and winter months.
What are the ingredients in red velvet cookies?
They typically include butter, sugars, egg, flour, cocoa, red food coloring, and a tangy cream cheese frosting.
What is the secret to Crumbl’s texture?
It’s all about creaming the butter properly, chilling the dough, and baking just until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
Are Crumbl cookies actually 2000 calories?
Crumbl’s cookies are large, so yes, a single one can reach 600–800 calories. Our homemade version runs about 2250–2400 total for all six cookies.
More Such Recipes
- fudgy homemade brownies with rich chocolate flavor
- easy no-bake chocolate Oreo lasagna
- classic pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
- cookie monster cookies for a colorful treat
- the best caramel apple cheesecake bars

Conclusion
These Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies taste like bakery magic straight from your own kitchen soft, vibrant, and topped with velvety cream cheese frosting. Share them warm or chilled, but definitely share them. And if you’d like more inspiration, check out our latest creations on Pinterest or follow along on Facebook.
Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies | Soft & Sweet Treats
- Total Time: 45–60 minutes
- Yield: 6 large cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, thick, and cocoa-rich red velvet cookies topped with tangy cream cheese frosting just like the Crumbl bakery favorite, right from your own kitchen.
Ingredients
For Cookies:
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg (room temperature)
1 tsp vinegar
2 tsp red food coloring
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tbsp natural cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
For Frosting:
7 tbsp butter
6 oz full-fat cream cheese
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, cream butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the egg and mix until combined.
5. Stir in vinegar, red food coloring, and vanilla until evenly colored.
6. Fold in dry ingredients until just combined.
7. Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes.
8. Scoop into 5 large dough balls, reserve a small piece for topping.
9. Flatten slightly on parchment-lined baking sheet.
10. Bake for 10–11 minutes, adding reserved dough piece for the final 5–6 minutes.
11. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a rack.
12. Beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.
13. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
14. Once cookies are cooled, pipe frosting on top.
15. Crumble the small baked dough piece over each cookie and let set before serving.
Notes
Avoid overbaking; remove cookies when edges are set but centers are slightly soft.
Do not skip chilling the dough — it helps keep cookies thick.
Make sure butter and cream cheese are fully softened to prevent lumpy frosting.
Use only the amount of red coloring listed to maintain the right flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 375–400
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
