Get ready to bake the most delightful Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies! This recipe is your ultimate guide to creating those iconic, deeply colored cookies with their signature crackled appearance and rich, moist interior. Perfect for holidays, parties, or just a sweet treat, these cookies offer a sophisticated yet incredibly easy baking experience, making them a go-to for any occasion.
Key Ingredients for Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
To achieve the perfect Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, you will need the following:
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 ½ cups, spooned and leveled
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: ¼ cup, for that classic deep red velvet flavor without excessive bitterness
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon, essential for lift and that signature crinkle
- Salt: ½ teaspoon, to balance the sweetness and enhance flavors
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), softened to room temperature for creaming
- Granulated Sugar: 1 ½ cups, to sweeten and help with the cookie spread
- Brown Sugar: ½ cup, packed, for added moisture and a chewy texture
- Eggs: 2 large, at room temperature for optimal emulsification
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons, for a warm, aromatic base note
- Red Food Coloring: 2 tablespoons gel food coloring, or more, to achieve a vibrant red hue (use gel for best color saturation without affecting dough consistency)
- White Vinegar: 1 teaspoon, reacts with baking soda to create puffiness and the crinkled surface
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup, for rolling the dough before baking, creating the snowy, crinkled exterior
How to Make Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are surprisingly simple to whip up, delivering a burst of flavor and an irresistible texture. The process is straightforward, ensuring a delicious and satisfying treat in under an hour, with preparation taking around 20 minutes and baking an additional 10-12 minutes per batch. The magic lies in the simple combination of pantry staples that transform into festive, melt-in-your-mouth delights.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside for now.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add the large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and the red food coloring until the mixture is a uniform, vibrant red. Add the white vinegar and mix to combine.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. It should be a thick, reddish batter.
Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended): For easier handling and a better crinkle, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving well-defined crinkles.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Roll the Dough: Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of chilled dough at a time and roll it into a smooth ball. Then, generously roll each ball in the powdered sugar, ensuring it’s fully coated. This coating will puff up and crack during baking, creating the signature crinkle effect.
Bake the Cookies: Place the coated cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Cool the Cookies: Let the Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to set properly without breaking.
Why You’ll Love This Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
You’ll fall head over heels for these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for so many reasons! The most striking feature is their stunning visual appeal – that intense red hue peeking through a snow-dusted, craggy surface is simply captivating. Beyond aesthetics, the cost-saving benefit of baking these from scratch is significant; you get a dozen (or more!) gourmet-looking cookies for a fraction of the price of store-bought treats. The flavor is a delightful balance of rich chocolate notes from the cocoa, balanced by a subtle sweetness, all enveloped in that characteristic chewy tenderness that makes them incredibly moreish, especially when compared to a more traditional chocolate chip cookie.
These cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. The texture is divine – a delicate crisp on the outside giving way to a soft, almost cake-like interior, all thanks to the magic of the powdered sugar coating and the perfect baking time. They’re the ideal treat to impress guests, add a festive touch to any spread, or simply satisfy your sweet cravings with a homemade indulgence. Don’t just dream about them, bring them to life in your own kitchen – you won’t regret the joy these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies will bring!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To keep your Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies tasting their best, proper storage is key.
- Short-Term Storage: Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. You can place parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking.
- Long-Term Storage (Freezing): For longer storage, these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies freeze beautifully. Arrange cooled cookies on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until firm (about 1-2 hours). Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: If you’ve frozen your cookies, you can enjoy them straight from frozen for a chilled treat, or let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If you prefer them slightly warm, you can reheat them in a single layer on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-5 minutes, just until warmed through.
Final Thoughts
These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are an absolute delight, offering both visual appeal and delicious, comforting flavor. Encourage everyone to give this simple yet stunning recipe a try for a guaranteed smile and a truly satisfying homemade treat!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside for now.2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour, 1/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.1 cup Unsalted Butter, 1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar, 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- Add the large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and the red food coloring until the mixture is a uniform, vibrant red. Add the white vinegar and mix to combine.2 large Eggs, 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract, 2 tablespoons Red Food Coloring, 1 teaspoon White Vinegar
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. It should be a thick, reddish batter.
- For easier handling and a better crinkle, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving well-defined crinkles.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of chilled dough at a time and roll it into a smooth ball. Then, generously roll each ball in the powdered sugar, ensuring it’s fully coated. This coating will puff up and crack during baking, creating the signature crinkle effect.1 cup Powdered Sugar
- Place the coated cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Let the Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to set properly without breaking.