Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Oh, I can’t wait to share this Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe with you! These cookies are the perfect blend of rich cocoa and vibrant red, delivering that classic red velvet flavor with a fun, crackled exterior that’s just irresistible. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a party, or just craving something special to share with friends, these crinkle cookies bring both color and joy to any occasion.
What I love most is how quick and straightforward they are to make—just about 20 minutes from start to finish! The texture is soft with a slight gooey center, making each bite feel like a little celebration. You’re going to enjoy how these cookies balance sweetness and cocoa perfectly, plus the crackle coating adds such a charming finish. Trust me, once you try this Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe, it’ll become a go-to for your cookie jar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe lies in simple, high-quality ingredients working in harmony. Each one plays a key role to bring that signature flavor and texture. For best results, I recommend using fresh cocoa powder and good red food coloring to get the vibrant look.
- Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming, it adds that rich, tender crumb you want in any cookie.
- Light brown sugar: Packed tightly—it brings moisture and a subtle molasses flavor to deepen the cookie’s richness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps give the cookie a slightly crisp edge.
- Eggs: Use room temperature eggs to ensure smoother mixing and a good structure.
- Vanilla extract: Just a splash enhances all the other flavors without stealing the spotlight.
- Professional red food coloring: This is the star for that iconic red velvet color. If you use a less concentrated type, you’ll want to add more to get a vibrant hue.
- All-purpose flour: The base for the cookie’s structure.
- Cocoa powder: Unsweetened and sifted, it gives the classic red velvet chocolate hint without being overpowering.
- Baking powder: Makes these cookies puff up just right and helps with the crackling effect on top.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances depth of flavor.
- Powdered sugar (for coating): Creates that signature crinkle look and adds a touch of extra sweetness on the outside.
- Granulated sugar (for coating): Helps the powdered sugar stick and adds texture contrast.
Variations
I always encourage mixing things up when I bake, so feel free to tweak this Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs. It’s fun to add your own twist and make the cookies truly yours!
- Double chocolate variation: I’ve tried folding in mini chocolate chips to amp up the chocolate flavor, and wow, it’s a deliciously decadent twist.
- Gluten-free version: Swapping in a gluten-free flour blend worked beautifully for me, just watch the texture and add a tad more liquid if it feels too dry.
- Spiced red velvet: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or chai spice mix gave the cookies a warm, cozy vibe, perfect for chilly afternoons.
- Vegan option: Using flax eggs and coconut oil can give you a lovely vegan cookie that’s almost indistinguishable from the original.
How to Make Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream It Up
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—this saves so much cleanup later. In a large bowl, cream together your softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step takes about 3 to 5 minutes with a hand mixer, and it’s worth taking your time here to ensure your cookies turn out tender and well-risen.
Step 2: Add Eggs, Vanilla & Color
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to keep everything smooth. Then stir in the vanilla extract and your professional red food coloring. If you notice the color looks a bit pale, go ahead and add a little more—it’s all about that vibrant, festive look that makes red velvet stand out.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients & Mix
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Sifting helps avoid lumps, especially with the cocoa powder, which is easy to clump. Gradually add your dry mix to the wet ingredients and beat just until combined. Don’t overdo it here—you want everything blended but still soft and tender.
Step 4: Roll & Coat Your Cookies
Here’s a little trick to get that perfect crinkle look: scoop out cookie dough balls about one ounce each with a cookie scoop or tablespoon. First, roll each ball in granulated sugar, then coat it thoroughly in powdered sugar. This double coating is what creates the gorgeous crackled finish when they bake.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place the coated balls on your parchment-lined sheet about an inch apart to give them room to puff and spread. Bake for about 10 minutes—keep an eye out for when the cookies puff up and crack but still look a little gooey at the center. That’s your sweet spot for soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 6: Cool & Enjoy!
Once out of the oven, let your cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents breakage and helps them finish setting up. Now, grab that glass of milk you’ve been dreaming about—this Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe is best enjoyed fresh and a little warm!
How to Serve Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I keep it simple and classic by dusting the cookies with a little extra powdered sugar for presentation, which keeps that snowy, crinkle effect popping. Sometimes, I’ll add a few edible glitter sprinkles when I’m baking for special occasions—that extra sparkle makes guests smile instantly.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of hot coffee, or even chai tea for a spiced complement. When I’m hosting, I love serving them alongside a big bowl of fresh berries or a creamy vanilla ice cream to contrast the cocoa flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like stacking these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies in little towers tied with a festive ribbon. Another fun idea is to arrange them on a platter with sprigs of fresh mint and red currants to highlight their vibrant color. They also make adorable gifts when placed in a glass jar with a handwritten tag.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay perfectly soft and chewy for about 3-4 days—though most times, they disappear before then!
Freezing
If I want to bake ahead, I freeze the cookie dough balls after coating them in the sugars. When ready, I pop them straight onto a baking sheet and bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. This trick helps keep your cookies fresh and makes last-minute baking a breeze.
Reheating
To enjoy leftovers warm, I gently reheat individual cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This brings back that soft gooey center and fresh-baked feel—almost like just-out-of-the-oven magic.
FAQs
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Can I use regular food coloring instead of professional red food coloring?
Absolutely! Just keep in mind that professional food coloring is much more concentrated, so if you’re using regular gel or liquid food coloring from the store, you’ll need to use a bit more to get that deep, vibrant red color typical of red velvet. Start with double the amount and adjust to your liking.
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Why do the cookies crackle on top?
The beautiful crackle effect comes from rolling the cookie dough balls double-coated in granulated and powdered sugar. As the cookies bake, they spread and crack the powdered sugar coating, creating that signature crinkled appearance. Don’t skip this step—it’s the hallmark of this recipe!
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Can I make these cookies without cocoa powder?
You could omit the cocoa powder, but it would change the classic red velvet flavor quite a bit. The cocoa adds that subtle chocolatey depth essential to red velvet treats, so it’s best to keep it for authentic taste.
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How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for the cookies to puff up and develop cracks on the surface while still appearing slightly soft and gooey in the middle. They’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake—about 10 minutes in a 350°F oven is usually perfect.
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Can I freeze baked Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies?
Yes! You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze and then transferring them to an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven for fresh-baked taste.
Final Thoughts
This Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my baking repertoire because it’s both stunning to look at and utterly delicious to eat. Whenever I make these, they bring a festive vibe to my kitchen and smiles to my table. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try—you’ll find it’s fun, forgiving, and totally worth it for every joyful bite. Happy baking, friend!
Print
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These delicious Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies feature a moist, fudgy texture coated in a sweet powdered sugar crust, offering a perfect balance of classic red velvet flavors with a delightful crackled appearance. Perfect for holidays, parties, or an everyday treat, these cookies are easy to make and bake quickly in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon professional red food coloring
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Coating
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- additional granulated sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Add Eggs and Flavoring: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to create a smooth mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract and the red food coloring, mixing until the color is uniform and vibrant.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Form and Coat Cookies: Prepare two small bowls: one with granulated sugar and the other with powdered sugar. Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out cookie dough balls. Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, then coat thoroughly with powdered sugar to create the crinkle effect.
- Bake: Place sugar-coated cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about one inch apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the cookies puff up and develop cracks on the surface but remain slightly gooey in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature with a glass of milk for the perfect treat.
Notes
- The intensity of red food coloring varies greatly between brands. This recipe uses Wilton professional red food coloring, which is highly pigmented. If using other gel or liquid food coloring, you may need to increase the amount to achieve the desired vibrant color.
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature to help the ingredients combine more smoothly and create a better texture.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be slightly gooey in the center for the best texture.
- You can substitute unsalted butter with salted butter if desired, but omit added salt in the recipe.
- For even-sized cookies and uniform baking, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough.
Keywords: red velvet cookies, crinkle cookies, chocolate cookies, powdered sugar coating, holiday cookies, easy cookie recipe
