Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe
These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are soft, chewy, and beautifully coated in powdered sugar, creating a festive contrast with their vibrant red color and rich cocoa flavor. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any sweet craving, these cookies combine the classic red velvet taste with a fun crinkled appearance.
- Author: Windy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
Coating
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for rolling
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until they are well combined for even distribution.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Eggs and Coloring: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring until the batter has an even, vibrant red tint.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until no streaks of flour remain. The resulting dough should be soft and sticky.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to firm up the dough, making it easier to handle for shaping.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Once chilled, scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until fully coated to create the signature crinkle effect.
- Bake: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 3 to 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly.
Notes
- For best results, use gel-based red food coloring to achieve a vibrant color without affecting the dough’s consistency.
- Chilling the dough is key for preventing spreading and achieving the perfect crinkle texture.
- Ensure cookies have enough space on the baking sheet to avoid sticking together as they bake.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Optionally, add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Keywords: red velvet cookies, crinkle cookies, cocoa cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies, chocolate crinkle, powdered sugar cookies