Red Velvet Cookies

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through making soft and chewy red velvet cookies filled with cream cheese frosting and topped with a drizzle of white chocolate. Perfect for special occasions like Valentine's Day or Christmas, these cookies are not only delicious but also visually appealing.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

To start, you'll need to assemble the following ingredients:

• For the cookies:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt

• For the cream cheese frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• For the white chocolate drizzle:

  • ½ cup white chocolate chips

Practical Tip

Ensure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for easier mixing.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, incorporate the vanilla extract and red food coloring.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.

Common Pitfall

Avoid overmixing the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

1. Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Scoop the chilled dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
5. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Practical Tip

Taste the frosting and adjust the sweetness by adding more powdered sugar if desired.

Step 6: Fill the Cookies

1. Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on the flat side of one cookie.
2. Top with another cookie, pressing gently to create a sandwich.

Step 7: Drizzle with White Chocolate

1. Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals until smooth.
2. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the filled cookies using a fork or a piping bag for a more controlled application.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've made delicious red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting and a white chocolate drizzle. These treats are sure to impress anyone and are perfect for any celebration. Enjoy them fresh or share with friends and family. For more recipes, check out the Preppy Kitchen website.