Description
Delight in these festive Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, featuring a rich cocoa base with a vibrant red hue, soft centers, and signature crackled powdered sugar exteriors. Perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you crave a tender, flavorful cookie with a striking look.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp red food coloring (or gel food coloring for a more vibrant color)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Rolling
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling the dough)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes using a hand or stand mixer. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate air for a tender texture. Stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring until the dough is uniformly colored. Gradually add the combined dry ingredients—flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt—mixing just until everything is incorporated to avoid overworking the dough.
- Form the Cookies: Scoop the dough into balls of equal size using a tablespoon or cookie scoop. Roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar to coat completely; this coating creates the classic crackled and snowy appearance after baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the coated dough balls spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft, ensuring a chewy interior.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes to firm up. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooled, serve your delicious Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies as a festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings, parties, or an indulgent snack anytime.
Notes
- Using gel food coloring will produce a more vibrant red color without adding too much liquid to the dough.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cookies tender.
- For best results, chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling in powdered sugar if the dough feels too soft.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
