Yield: 36 cookies | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 12 minutes
Red is the color of love, and these rich red velvet cookies have affection written all over them. Red velvet cake was a popular dessert trend in the ‘40s and ‘50s, and it’s fun to create a cookie version! Make a batch of these timeless classics for Valentine’s Day or Christmas, and show your friends and family just how much you care.
INGREDIENTS
Cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1½–2 tablespoons red food coloring
Cream Cheese Filling
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
DIRECTIONS
1. For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Mix in the eggs. Add the vanilla and mix well.
3. Add the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and mix until combined. Add the red food coloring and mix well.
4. Using a cookie scoop, shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
5. Gently press the center of each cookie with your thumb or the back of a measuring spoon to create a depression.
6. Bake the cookies for 12 minutes.
7. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. For the cream cheese filling: In a small bowl, mix the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and mix until smooth.
9. Pipe or scoop the cream cheese filling into the indentation in each cookie. Serve.