There’s something incredibly special about red velvet—its rich, velvety texture and striking red color make it a favorite for romantic occasions. These Red Velvet Valentine Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the season of love. With their vibrant red hue, these soft and chewy cookies are not only visually stunning but also have a subtle cocoa flavor, making them the ideal treat for any Valentine’s Day celebration. Whether you’re baking for a special someone, hosting a Galentine’s Day gathering, or simply indulging in a sweet treat for yourself, these cookies are sure to win hearts. The cream cheese frosting adds a luscious, tangy finish that complements the cookies’ sweetness perfectly. Easy to make and absolutely delightful to eat, these cookies bring the charm of red velvet to your baking repertoire in the form of adorable, bite-sized treats. They’re the perfect combination of festive, flavorful, and fun!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Perfect for Valentine’s Day
The striking red color and heart-shaped design make these cookies ideal for gifting or sharing with loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
2. Soft and Chewy Texture
The cookies are perfectly soft, chewy, and just the right balance of sweetness, making them irresistible with each bite.
3. Easy to Make
With simple ingredients and a straightforward process, these cookies come together quickly, so you can bake them even on a busy day.
4. Cream Cheese Frosting
The tangy cream cheese frosting is the perfect complement to the sweet cookies, elevating the flavor and adding a decadent finish.
5. Versatile
While they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day, these red velvet cookies can be enjoyed any time of year, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just indulging in a delicious treat.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Cocoa powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Buttermilk
- Red food coloring
- Vanilla extract
- Cream cheese (for frosting)
- Powdered sugar
- Heavy cream
- Lemon juice (optional, for frosting)
Variations
- Decorative Toppings: Top with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter to add a little extra flair for Valentine’s Day or other festive occasions.
- No Cream Cheese Frosting: If you prefer a different frosting, you can swap the cream cheese frosting for vanilla buttercream or a simple glaze.
- Chocolate Chips: Add a handful of white or semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough for extra richness and texture.
- Vegan Version: Use dairy-free butter, a flax egg, and non-dairy cream cheese for a vegan alternative to these cookies.
- Mini Cookies: For bite-sized treats, roll the dough into smaller balls to create mini cookies that are perfect for sharing.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix until combined. Stir in the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until the batter is evenly colored.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until everything is well combined. You should have a thick, slightly sticky dough.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each dough ball with your hand or a spoon to give them a uniform shape.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are slightly soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Prepare the Frosting
While the cookies cool, make the cream cheese frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and fluffy. Add heavy cream to achieve your desired consistency, and stir in a splash of lemon juice for a little tang if desired.
Step 8: Frost and Serve
Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top of each cookie. For an extra touch, you can pipe the frosting into cute hearts or swirls. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overbake the Cookies: To ensure the cookies stay soft and chewy, take them out of the oven when the edges are set, and the centers are still a little soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring gives the cookies a vibrant, rich red color without affecting the dough’s texture. Avoid using liquid food coloring, as it can change the consistency.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before starting to ensure a smooth, lump-free batter and frosting.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough is too sticky to handle, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes before shaping it into balls. This will make it easier to work with.
How to Serve
These Red Velvet Valentine Cookies are perfect for any romantic occasion, whether you’re serving them at a Valentine’s Day dinner, giving them as gifts, or enjoying them with a cup of tea or coffee. You can also pack them into cute treat bags or boxes for a thoughtful gift. If you’re hosting a Valentine’s party, place them on a platter alongside other festive treats like chocolate-dipped strawberries or heart-shaped sugar cookies for a sweet spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. If you’re storing them with frosting, place a layer of parchment paper between the cookies to prevent them from sticking together.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies without frosting for up to 2 months. Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag with parchment paper between each layer. To freeze the frosting, store it in an airtight container and re-whip it before using. Thaw the cookies and frosting in the fridge overnight before assembling.
Reheating
If you prefer warm cookies, microwave them for 10-15 seconds or heat them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes to soften them slightly.
FAQs
1. Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
Regular liquid food coloring can affect the texture of the dough, so it’s best to use gel food coloring for the brightest, most vibrant red color.
2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
3. How can I make these cookies even more festive?
Decorate the cookies with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or drizzle with white chocolate for an added touch of sweetness and color.
4. Can I freeze these cookies after they’re frosted?
Yes, you can freeze the frosted cookies. Just make sure to layer them carefully with parchment paper to prevent the frosting from sticking.
5. Can I substitute the buttermilk with regular milk?
Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and helps achieve the right texture. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute it with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
6. Can I use a different frosting?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of cream cheese frosting, you can use buttercream or even a simple glaze.
7. How long should I bake the cookies?
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. They should be slightly soft in the center but firm enough to hold their shape once cooled.
8. How can I make these cookies softer?
If you want a softer texture, slightly underbake the cookies. They’ll firm up as they cool but remain soft and chewy.
9. Can I use a cookie cutter to shape the cookies?
Yes, you can roll the dough out and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create fun, festive shapes for Valentine’s Day!
10. Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?
Yes! Feel free to fold in white or semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough for added texture and richness.
Conclusion
These Red Velvet Valentine Cookies are the perfect combination of flavor, color, and festivity. With their soft, chewy texture and creamy frosting, they’re sure to make any occasion feel extra special. Whether you’re baking for a loved one, hosting a Valentine’s Day celebration, or simply indulging in a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Easy to make and full of love, these cookies will quickly become a favorite in your baking rotation.
Print
Red Velvet Valentine Cookies
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Red Velvet Valentine Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with festive red color. Perfect for spreading the love this Valentine’s Day, these cookies have a hint of cocoa flavor and are topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting, making them irresistible! Ideal for sharing with loved ones or gifting to friends.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring (or more for a deeper color)
- 1 tsp white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the cookie dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together.
- Form the cookies:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Gently flatten each dough ball with the back of a spoon or your palm.
- Bake the cookies:
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and the tops are slightly cracked.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the cream cheese frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt and mix to combine.
- Frost the cookies:
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting onto each cookie.
- For a festive touch, decorate with heart-shaped sprinkles, edible glitter, or mini chocolate chips.
- Serve:
- Enjoy these deliciously sweet Red Velvet Valentine Cookies with your loved ones!
Notes
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute it with regular milk or make your own by adding 1 tsp of vinegar to 2 tbsp of milk.
- For extra texture, you can mix in some white chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips into the dough before baking.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Valentine’s Day Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: red velvet cookies, Valentine’s Day cookies, cream cheese frosting, soft cookies, festive cookies, holiday baking