If you love red velvet cake but want something quicker and easier, you’ve got to try Red Velvet Cake Cookies! Just grab a cake mix, add a couple of pantry staples, and in about 30 minutes, you’ll bake chewy, colorful cookies with a hint of cocoa. Sprinkle in white chocolate chips or swirl cream cheese frosting for extra wow. These treats are awesome for parties, gifts, or just because—stick around and you’ll uncover all the tasty ways to make them shine!
Key Takeaways
- Use boxed red velvet cake mix with oil, eggs, and white chocolate chips for a quick, foolproof cookie recipe ready in about 30 minutes.
- Chill the dough before baking to ensure soft, chewy cookies and help control spreading for picture-perfect results.
- Enhance cookies with mix-ins like cream cheese frosting, white chocolate chips, or decorative toppings for extra flavor and visual appeal.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze unbaked dough scoops for future quick baking.
- Create variety by swirling in frosting, making cookie sandwiches, or shaping and decorating with powdered sugar or colorful drizzles.
Our Cookie Baking Expertise: Why Trust Our Red Velvet Recipe
We've been perfecting cookie recipes since 2015, when we first started baking together as a couple with a shared passion for creating exceptional sweets. What began as fun date nights in the kitchen quickly evolved into an obsession with mastering the art of cookie making. Over the years, we've tested countless variations, experimented with different techniques, and refined our methods until we achieved what we consider the perfect cookie—just in time for our wedding!
Our journey from novice bakers to cookie experts means we understand exactly what can go wrong (and right) when making treats like these red velvet cake cookies. We've made every mistake in the book—from cookies that spread too much to ones that turned out too cakey—so we know which tips actually work and which ones don't. When we share techniques like chilling your dough for 30 minutes or using the perfect ratio of brown to white sugar, it's because we've tested these methods dozens of times in our own kitchen. This hands-on experience allows us to give you foolproof recipes and troubleshooting advice that actually delivers the soft, chewy results you're looking for.
What Are Red Velvet Cake Cookies and Why Make Them
Red velvet cake cookies bring you all the rich cocoa flavor and vibrant red color you love, but in a soft, chewy treat that’s easier to make and share.
You’ll love how these cookies offer simple portion control, so you don’t end up eating half a cake—unless you really want to!
They're a fantastic pick for holidays, gifts, or any special event that could use a pop of color and a tasty twist.
Key Characteristics: Vibrant Color, Cocoa Flavor, and Chewy Texture
Ever tasted a cookie that's as bold as it looks? Red velvet cookies are the superheroes of the cookie world—with velvet cake mix as their secret ingredient, they burst onto the scene with an unforgettable vibrant color.
If you love a cookie that's chewy with a hint of cocoa flavor, these treats might just become your new obsession. Let's break down what makes red velvet cookies so irresistible:
- Vibrant color that instantly catches your eye in any cookie jar
- Chewy texture that’s soft in the middle, just how you want it
- Mild, hint of cocoa flavor gives them that signature red velvet taste
- Cake-like softness from the velvet cake mix in every bite
- Perfect for any occasion, no matter how casual or fancy
Red velvet cookies really deliver a bite full of fun!
Benefits Over Traditional Red Velvet Cake: Convenience and Portion Control
When you’re craving that classic red velvet taste but don’t want all the fuss of baking an entire cake, making red velvet cake cookies is a total revolution. Why spend hours when you can have delicious cookies in no time? These cookies are all about convenience—just mix up a cake mix cookie recipe with simple ingredients and you’re set. Plus, you’ll love the built-in portion control! Each cookie is the perfect handheld treat, so you don’t have to guess about serving sizes or deal with leftovers tempting you.
Here’s a quick look at the benefits:
|
Convenience |
Portion Control |
Simple Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
|
Quick to make |
Easy serving size |
Fewer groceries |
|
Less mess |
No slicing needed |
Boxed cake mix |
|
Minimal cleanup |
Grab-and-go snack |
Staple pantry items |
|
Fast clean-up |
Great for sharing |
Easy instructions |
Perfect Occasions: Holidays, Gifts, and Special Events
Although there are tons of sweet treats out there, nothing steals the spotlight quite like red velvet cake cookies when you want a dessert that feels extra special. These cookies practically scream "celebration!" They're perfect for the holiday season, making festive moments even sweeter.
Whether you're planning a cookie exchange, looking for edible gifts, or just want to brighten up any gathering, velvet cake cookies deliver every time.
Here are five perfect occasions to make and share red velvet cake cookies:
- Holiday parties (everyone loves a pop of red!)
- DIY edible gifts for friends, teachers, or neighbors
- Cookie exchange events for a unique contribution
- Birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or anniversaries with a sweet twist
- Family movie nights or sleepovers—pure cookie fun!
They're sure to be a hit anywhere you bring them!
How to Make Red Velvet Cake Cookies: Two Proven Methods
Ready to bake some amazing red velvet cake cookies? You’ve got two awesome ways to try: a speedy cake mix version that takes just four ingredients and half an hour, or a from-scratch recipe packed with classic touches like cocoa, red food coloring, and a splash of vinegar.
Whichever method you pick, a few smart tips will help you nail that perfect soft and chewy bite every single time!
Quick Cake Mix Method: 4 Ingredients in 30 Minutes
Let’s face it—sometimes you just want cookies, like, right now. Don’t worry, you can whip up red velvet cake cookies in just 30 minutes using four simple ingredients! All you need is a box of cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and some irresistible white chocolate chips. No need for fancy kitchen skills—just mix, scoop, and bake. Here’s how you’ll make cookie magic, fast:
- Start with a box of cake mix—your shortcut to that classic red velvet flavor.
- Stir in vegetable oil and eggs for a soft, chewy texture.
- Fold in white chocolate chips for creamy, sweet bites.
- Drop dough onto parchment paper, making cleanup a gust.
- Dust each cookie with powdered sugar for a finishing touch.
Seriously, it’s that easy—cookie cravings, conquered!
From Scratch Recipe: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
When you want to make red velvet cake cookies totally from scratch, you’ll get that rich, homemade flavor and a big sense of accomplishment. Let’s break it down step-by-step so you feel like a baking pro, even if your kitchen turns a little red along the way! First, you’ll mix your dry ingredients for that perfect velvet flavor, then combine with the wet stuff. Roll the cookie dough balls—don’t worry if they’re a little messy, that’s half the fun! Bake, cool, and slather on cream cheese frosting for the ultimate treat.
Here’s a quick guide to help you:
|
Step |
Tip |
|---|---|
|
Measure dry ingredients |
Be precise for best texture! |
|
Mix wet ingredients |
Use room temp items |
|
Shape cookie dough balls |
Use a scoop for uniformity |
|
Frost with cream cheese |
Let cookies cool first |
Essential Ingredients: Cocoa Powder, Red Food Coloring, and Vinegar
Even though red velvet cake cookies look fancy, the secret is all in a few key ingredients that give them their famous color, taste, and texture. You might be surprised by how simple it is!
The classic “cake flavor” starts with cocoa powder, which adds a subtle chocolate note (not enough to call it a chocolate cookie, but just right). To get that stunning red hue, you’ll need red food coloring—don’t be shy! And to really nail that signature tang, vinegar is your best friend.
These ingredients work magic in scratch recipes and shortcut velvet cake mix cookies too. Here’s what makes these cookies unforgettable:
- Cocoa powder for rich flavor
- Red food coloring for color pop
- Vinegar for a tangy twist
- Balanced sweetness
- That iconic “red velvet” vibe
Expert Tips for Soft, Chewy Texture Every Time
Getting that wow-worthy red color and hint of cocoa is only half the fun—these cookies are all about that soft, chewy bite! If you want chewy cookies every time, start with softened unsalted butter and add brown sugar to your mix. The brown sugar brings moisture and helps keep the centers gooey.
Don’t skip the chill time—pop your cookie dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This keeps the dough from spreading too much while baking and helps make those edges just a little crisp, but the middle stays perfectly chewy.
Quick Tips for Success
- Use a mix of brown and white sugar
- Don’t overmix your dough, or they’ll turn out tough
- Chill time is a must—trust us, it’s worth the wait!
Red Velvet Cookie Variations and Serving Ideas
Ready to take your red velvet cookies to the subsequent level? You can mix in cream cheese frosting or white chocolate chips for extra flavor, store the cookies ahead of time for quick treats, and get creative with how you share them at parties or as gifts.
Let’s check out some fun ways to customize, store, and serve these tasty cookies!
Popular Mix-Ins: Cream Cheese Frosting and White Chocolate Chips
How do you make red velvet cake cookies go from delicious to legendary? It’s all about the mix-ins! The most popular choices for elevating your velvet cookie recipe are cream cheese and white chocolate chips. These add-ins take your cookies from classic to totally extraordinary, combining the tangy sweetness of cream cheese frosting with the creamy bite of chocolate chip cookies.
Here are some fun ways you can experiment:
- Swirl cream cheese frosting right into your cookie dough for a marbled effect.
- Fold in white chocolate chips for pockets of gooey goodness.
- Sandwich two cookies with a layer of cream cheese frosting for a decadent treat.
- Mix both cream cheese and white chocolate chips for the best of both worlds.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate on top for extra flair!
Storage Tips and Make-Ahead Instructions
After you’ve loaded up your red velvet cake cookies with dreamy mix-ins, you’ll want to keep them fresh and tasty for as long as possible—nobody likes a stale cookie! Here’s how you can do it:
For baked cookies:
- Let them cool, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Want to freeze them? No problem. Just make sure they’re freezer safe before stacking in a zip-top bag or container.
For unbaked dough:
- Scoop dough onto a prepared baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer unbaked cookie dough balls to a freezer safe bag.
- When you’re ready, just pop them straight from the freezer into your oven—no need to thaw!
No more wasting your cookie masterpiece!
Creative Serving Ideas for Parties and Gifts
Ever wondered how to turn your red velvet cake cookies into something truly unforgettable for parties or as sweet gifts? Let’s get creative! These cookies are already showstoppers, but with a few extra touches, you’ll have everyone raving at your next cookie swap or gathering. Don’t be shy—play around with different shapes, toppings, and colors to really make them your own!
- Roll balls of cookie dough in powdered sugar for a classic velvet crinkle cookie look.
- Drizzle melted chocolate or white chocolate over the top for a sweet finish.
- Sandwich gooey butter cookies with cream cheese icing for wow-worthy cookie sandwiches.
- Tint a portion of your dough for an eye-catching food coloring pop in each batch.
- Package cookies in cute cellophane bags or boxes for easy, adorable gifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Freeze Red Velvet Cake Cookie Dough for Later Use?
You can absolutely freeze red velvet cake cookie dough for later use. Just portion the dough, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding extra minutes.
How Do I Prevent My Cookies From Spreading Too Much?
To prevent your cookies from spreading too much, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Make sure you’re using parchment-lined, cool baking sheets and avoid over-creamng the butter and sugar. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
Are Red Velvet Cookies Safe for People With Nut Allergies?
You should check every ingredient before making red velvet cookies if you have a nut allergy. Most traditional recipes don’t use nuts, but cross-contamination or hidden ingredients may pose a risk. Always read labels and ask questions.
What’S the Best Way to Store Leftover Red Velvet Cookies?
To store leftover red velvet cookies, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to five days. For longer storage, freeze them and thaw when needed.
Can I Use Natural Food Coloring Instead of Artificial Red?
You can absolutely use natural food coloring instead of artificial red. Try beet juice, pomegranate powder, or natural food dyes. You’ll get a softer red shade, but your cookies will still look vibrant and taste delicious.
Conclusion
So, you’ve got all the tips to bake chewy, colorful red velvet cake cookies, and you’re probably already dreaming of that first bite. Why not grab your apron, some cocoa, and your favorite mix-ins? You’ll wow friends at parties, impress your family, and maybe sneak a cookie or two for yourself—no judgment!
- Super simple to make
- Perfect to share (or not!)
- Always a tasty win
Happy baking!
