About This Recipe

Red velvet cookies are the holiday cookie that steals attention from every other treat on the tray — their deep crimson color is visually dramatic, and swirls of cream cheese frosting make them look like they came from an upscale bakery. The flavor delivers too: subtle cocoa, vanilla, and a touch of tang from the cream cheese frosting create the red velvet experience in cookie form. Thick, chewy, and completely irresistible — these are the cookies people take photos of before eating.

Why You'll Love It

  • The most visually stunning cookie on any holiday tray — that deep red color is unmistakable
  • Cream cheese frosting is the perfect pairing with the subtle cocoa flavor
  • Thick and chewy — the exact texture that makes cookies irresistible
  • The red velvet flavor is uniquely satisfying in cookie form

Red Velvet Cookies (Thick, Chewy & Viral)

Red Velvet Cookies (Thick, Chewy & Viral)
20 min
Prep
12 min
Cook
32 min
Total
20
Servings
⭐ 4.9
Rating
195
Calories

Ingredients

  • 1.75 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (165g) packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg + 1 yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tbsp red food coloring
  • 1/2 cup (85g) white chocolate chips
  • For cream cheese frosting: 4oz (115g) cream cheese, softened, 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. 1Make dough Beat butter and sugars until fluffy. Add egg, yolk, vanilla, and red food coloring. Mix in flour, cocoa, baking soda, an...
  2. 2Make frosting Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or zip bag....
  3. 3Bake Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Scoop 2-tbsp balls onto lined baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are set. Cent...
  4. 4Cool Cool on pan 5 minutes. The centers will set as they cool....
  5. 5Frost Pipe or spoon cream cheese frosting onto cooled cookies. Sprinkle with red sprinkles or white chocolate shavings....

Ingredients

1.75 cups (220g) all-purpose flour 2 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup (165g) packed brown sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1 large egg + 1 yolk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1-2 tbsp red food coloring 1/2 cup (85g) white chocolate chips For cream cheese frosting: 4oz (115g) cream cheese, softened, 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Make dough

    Beat butter and sugars until fluffy. Add egg, yolk, vanilla, and red food coloring. Mix in flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt until just combined. Fold in white chocolate chips. Chill 30 minutes.

  2. 2

    Make frosting

    Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or zip bag.

  3. 3

    Bake

    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Scoop 2-tbsp balls onto lined baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are set. Centers should look slightly underdone.

  4. 4

    Cool

    Cool on pan 5 minutes. The centers will set as they cool.

  5. 5

    Frost

    Pipe or spoon cream cheese frosting onto cooled cookies. Sprinkle with red sprinkles or white chocolate shavings.

Pro Tips

🏆 Chef Tips
  • Gel food coloring gives a more vibrant red than liquid — use 1-2 tbsp liquid or 1 tsp gel.
  • Chill the dough — this is the difference between flat cookies and thick, chewy ones.
  • Underbake slightly — red velvet cookies should be soft-centered, not crispy.
  • Frost only what you plan to eat that day — unfrosted cookies keep better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cocoa powder, red food coloring, and often a hint of vinegar or buttermilk that reacts with cocoa to enhance the red color. The flavor is subtly chocolate with vanilla notes.
Yes — you'll get chocolate cookies without the red. The flavor is identical.
Unfrosted: room temperature 5 days. Frosted: refrigerate 3 days. Frosting softens at room temperature.
Freeze unfrosted cookies up to 3 months. Frost after thawing.

Nutrition Per Serving

195
Calories
3g
Protein
26g
Carbs
9g
Fat
1g
Fiber
18g
Sugar
130mg
Sodium
5g
Sat. Fat