Description
Delight in these soft and chewy Red Velvet Cookies layered with a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting. Perfectly balanced with a hint of cocoa and a vibrant red hue, these sandwich cookies make a festive treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat together 1 cup of butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, red food coloring, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture, blending until fully combined and smooth.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to remove lumps and evenly distribute leavening agents.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring continuously until a cohesive dough forms, avoiding overmixing.
- Portion Dough: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out the dough and roll it into balls, then place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Flatten Cookies: Gently flatten each dough ball slightly using the bottom of a glass or your hand to ensure even baking and the desired cookie shape.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are set but still soft to the touch, taking care not to overbake for maximum tenderness.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cookies cool, beat together the cream cheese and 1/4 cup of butter in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Flavor: Gradually beat in the powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until the frosting is thick, smooth, and spreadable.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Once cookies are fully cooled, spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on the flat side of one cookie and sandwich it with another cookie to form pairs.
- Repeat Assembly: Continue frosting and sandwiching the remaining cookies.
- Serve: Present the assembled red velvet cookie sandwiches and enjoy their rich, creamy flavor.
Notes
- Ensure cookies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting the cream cheese frosting.
- Red food coloring can be adjusted to achieve desired vibrancy.
- For sturdier cookie sandwiches, chill cookies slightly before frosting.
- These cookies are best enjoyed within 2-3 days and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Allow frosted cookies to come to room temperature before eating for best flavor and texture.
