Description
Soft, chewy red velvet cookies with a rich cocoa flavor and bright red color. Ready in just 25 minutes no chilling required! Perfect for holidays, gifting, or anytime you crave something sweet.
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 g)
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp light brown sugar (110 g)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g)
1 large egg, room temperature
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp red gel food coloring
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (160 g)
2 tbsp cocoa powder (Dutch-process or Hershey’s Special Dark)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup red sanding sugar (for coating)
For homemade red sanding sugar:
1/4 cup granulated or coarse sugar (50 g)
Dollop of red gel food coloring
Instructions
1. Melt butter in a small saucepan or microwave and transfer to a shallow dish. Freeze for 5–8 minutes until cold but not solid.
2. In a medium bowl, mix chilled butter with both sugars, egg, vanilla, and red gel food coloring until well combined.
3. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently using a spatula. Avoid overmixing.
5. Let dough rest while preheating oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Scoop dough into 2-ounce balls, roll in red sanding sugar or regular sugar, and space 2–3 inches apart.
7. Bake one sheet at a time in the center of the oven for 9–10 minutes until edges are set and centers look slightly puffy.
8. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5–10 minutes; they will flatten slightly as they cool.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap in plastic and store in a freezer-safe container.
Reheat frozen cookies in a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes.
No dough chilling required.
Soft, chewy, and fudgy with mild chocolate flavor.
Optional: Add up to 3/4 cup chocolate chips or top with cream cheese frosting.
Gluten-free version works with 1:1 gluten-free flour that includes xanthan gum.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg