Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies
Table of Contents
Ah, the warmth of the kitchen on a crisp autumn afternoon, with the sweet aroma of something delicious baking in the oven. My dear friend, there’s nothing quite like the joy of creating homemade treats that evoke fond memories and bring smiles to our loved ones’ faces. Today, I want to invite you into my cozy kitchen to share a delightful recipe that combines the best of cupcakes and cookies into one delightful bite: Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies.
When I was a child, my grandmother used to bake the most amazing red velvet cake for special occasions. The vibrant hue, the tender crumb, and that subtle hint of chocolate always felt like a warm hug from the inside. Now, I find great joy in bringing that same nostalgic flavor into a new form with these cookies, which are every bit as comforting and indulgent as you remember.
These Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies are magical in their ability to bring together the softness of a cupcake with the convenience of a cookie. They’re perfect for sharing with family and friends or for savoring during a quiet moment with a cup of tea. You’ll love how easy they are to make, and your kitchen will be filled with the most delightful scent. Plus, there’s a simple joy in knowing that each cookie comes with a generous dollop of cream cheese frosting on top, just like a traditional red velvet cake.
Why This Recipe Should Be on Your Table
- Nostalgic Comfort: These cookies are like a warm embrace from your past, combining the classic flavors of red velvet cake with the ease of a cookie. The perfect blend of sweet and tangy makes them irresistible, reminding you of time-honored family traditions.
- Family-Friendly Fun: Involve little ones in the baking process — they’ll love adding the vibrant red food coloring and decorating with frosting. It’s a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories and instill a love for baking in the next generation.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a family gathering, a cozy afternoon at home, or a festive holiday spread, these cookies fit right in. They add a touch of elegance to any dessert table and are versatile enough to suit a variety of events.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, this recipe is as easy on your grocery list as it is on your schedule. No need for fancy ingredients; everything you need might already be in your kitchen.
- Delightfully Versatile: Enjoy them fresh or freeze for later, these cookies maintain their delightful taste and texture. This flexibility means you can always have a delicious treat on hand for unexpected guests or a spontaneous sweet craving.
Kitchen Tools to Make This Recipe Easy Peasy
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s make sure you have everything you need on hand. Having the right kitchen tools will make the process smooth and enjoyable, just like a gentle breeze on a sunny day.
- Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a couple of these, one for your dry ingredients and another for the wet ingredients. Choose bowls with a non-slip base to make mixing easier and more stable.
- Whisk: For combining ingredients smoothly and effortlessly. A balloon whisk is ideal for aerating your batter, ensuring everything is well incorporated.
- Baking Sheets: Lined with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. This also makes cleanup a breeze, letting you enjoy more time with your freshly baked treats.
- Cookie Scoop: To help you portion out the perfect size cookie every time. Consistent sizing ensures even baking and a professional look.
- Wire Rack: Essential for cooling your cookies to room temperature before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and keeps your cookies perfectly textured.
- Piping Bag (Optional): For a beautifully frosted finish, though a simple spatula will do just fine. If you’re feeling creative, try different piping tips to add a decorative touch.
How to Make This Recipe Easy Peasy
Now, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to the heart of the matter: creating these delightful Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies.
INGREDIENTS
For the red velvet cookies:
- 1 & ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour, spoon and leveled
- ¼ cup (20g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon instant milk powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick / 115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, or any neutral flavored oil
- ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar, light or dark
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 to 2 teaspoons red liquid-gel food coloring *see notes
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 3 ounces (85g) block cream cheese
- 6 tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 & ½ cups (195g) powdered sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, milk powder, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to combine. Set aside. This step ensures that your dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which is crucial for the perfect consistency.
- In a large bowl, combine butter, oil, and brown and granulated sugars. Whisk together until smooth. The mixture should be light and fluffy, a sign that the sugars are well integrated with the fats.
- Whisk in the egg and vanilla to combine. Add in vinegar and as much food coloring as you need to reach your desired color and mix to combine. The vinegar not only enhances the red color but also reacts with the baking soda to create a tender crumb.
- Add the dry ingredients and fold together until you get a thick cookie dough. Use a large (3 to 4 tablespoon) sized scoop to portion dough onto your lined sheets. Make sure to leave enough space between each scoop as the cookies will spread slightly during baking.
- Bake in the center of your preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned. The edges should be set, but the centers will still be soft. They will firm up as they cool.
- Cool the cookies for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the frosting: In a medium bowl, cream together cream cheese and butter until smooth. It’s important that both ingredients are softened to room temperature to avoid lumps.
- Add vanilla and powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Chill if needed to firm up frosting. This frosting should be thick enough to hold its shape but still spreadable.
- Pipe or spread frosting on cooled cookies. Crumble any extra cookie for decoration. This adds a delightful texture contrast and an extra burst of cookie flavor.
Difficulty: Easy • Cuisine: American • Preparation Time: 20 minutes • Cooking Time: 15 minutes • Total Time: 35 minutes • Calories: 200 per cookie • Servings: 12
Note: Adjust the amount of food coloring to achieve the perfect shade of red. Use gel for a vibrant hue.
Health and Flavor Benefits of Ingredients
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the ingredients that make these cookies both delicious and memorable. Each component has its role in crafting that perfect bite.
- Cocoa Powder: Adds a subtle chocolate flavor that enhances the red velvet experience. It’s packed with antioxidants that can boost your mood and offer health benefits.
- Cream Cheese: Provides the creamy, tangy frosting that balances the sweetness of the cookies. It’s a great source of calcium and protein, adding a nutritional boost to your treat.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookies, giving them structure and softness. It creates the perfect base for our chewy, tender cookies.
- Unsalted Butter: Ensures a rich, buttery flavor without the interference of additional salt. It contributes to the cookies’ delightful texture and flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of molasses, creating depth and chewiness in the cookie. The moisture in brown sugar keeps your cookies soft and gives them a rich, caramel-like flavor.
Tasty Pairings to Serve with This Easy Peasy Dish
These cookies are a treat on their own, but if you’re looking to enhance your dessert spread, consider these delightful pairings:
- Cold Glass of Milk: A classic companion that complements the sweet and creamy flavors. It’s the perfect way to balance the richness of these cookies.
- Hot Cocoa: Perfect for a cozy evening by the fireplace, enhancing the chocolate notes in the cookies. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.
- Fresh Berries: Add a pop of color and a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors. Strawberries or raspberries work particularly well, offering a tart contrast to the sweet cookies.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: For an indulgent twist, serve a scoop alongside your cookie for a mini dessert bowl. The cold, creamy ice cream is a delightful contrast to the warm, chewy cookies.
Storage Tips and How to Enjoy Leftovers the Easy Peasy Way
If by chance you have any leftovers — and that’s a big “if” — storing them properly will ensure they remain as delicious as the day they were baked.
- Room Temperature: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps them fresh and prevents them from drying out.
- Refrigeration: To keep the frosting firm, you can refrigerate them in a sealed container for up to a week. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving to enjoy their full flavor.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cookies without frosting. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving. This is a great way to have a ready-to-go dessert for unexpected guests or a spontaneous treat.
Leftovers can be enjoyed as they are, or if you’re feeling creative, crumble them over a bowl of yogurt or use as a topping for your morning oatmeal. These Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies are truly the gift that keeps on giving.
As we wrap up our cozy time in the kitchen, I hope you feel the same warmth and joy from these cookies that I do. There’s something magical about creating something with your own hands that brings happiness to those around you. Share them with family, friends, or savor them solo, knowing each bite is made with love.
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Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, milk powder, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to combine. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine butter, oil, and brown and granulated sugars. Whisk together until smooth.
- Whisk in the egg and vanilla to combine. Add in vinegar and as much food coloring as you need to reach your desired color and mix to combine.
- Add the dry ingredients and fold together until you get a thick cookie dough. It will be quite sticky!
- Use a large (3 to 4 tablespoon) sized cookie scoop to scoop out large portions of dough onto your parchment lined baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches of space between each cookie on the sheet.
- Bake the cookies in the center of your preheated 350°F oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until puffed and spread out. The bottom edges should be a very light golden brown as well!
- Cool the cookies for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Transfer onto a wire rack and set aside to cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
- Make the frosting: In a medium bowl, cream together cream cheese and butter until lump free and smooth.
- Add vanilla and powdered sugar and mix until smooth. If the frosting is too soft, pop it into the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes, or until firmed up to your desired consistency.
- Pipe or spread your frosting onto the cooled cookies. If you have a wonky looking cookie (usually from the last bit of cookie dough) crumble it up and sprinkle on top of the frosted cookies for added decoration!
