Velvety Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Heavenly Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe You’ll Adore

Soft, pillowy red velvet crinkle cookies dance with decadent chocolate undertones that melt in your mouth.

These stunning treats boast a velvety crimson interior beneath a stunning powdered sugar coating.

Rich cocoa powder gives these cookies their signature deep red hue and intense flavor profile.

The delicate crinkle surface creates an irresistible visual appeal that beckons dessert lovers.

Each cookie promises a perfect balance between crisp edges and tender, luxurious centers.

Dusted with a snowfall of confectioner’s sugar, these cookies look as spectacular as they taste.

Bake a batch and watch everyone swoon over these show-stopping sweet delights.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cookies

  • Sweet Dessert Companion: Pair these red velvet crinkle cookies with a cold glass of creamy milk for a classic, comforting treat that brings out the rich chocolate undertones.
  • Romance Presentation: Arrange cookies on a beautiful vintage plate with a dusting of extra powdered sugar, perfect for a romantic Valentine's Day dessert or elegant afternoon tea setting.
  • Party Platter Magic: Create a stunning cookie platter by mixing these red velvet crinkle cookies with other chocolate and vanilla cookies, offering guests a delightful variety of textures and flavors.
  • Coffee Shop Moment: Serve alongside a warm cappuccino or rich espresso, allowing the cookie's subtle cocoa notes to complement the coffee's robust flavor profile.
  • Cookie Freshness Guardian: Store these delightful red velvet crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, keeping them soft and delicious for up to 5 days.
  • Cookie Chill Zone: Refrigerate the prepared dough for up to 3 days if you want to bake cookies later, allowing flexible baking schedules without compromising taste.
  • Freezing Magic: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. They'll stay perfect for 2-3 months, ready to bake whenever cookie cravings strike.
  • Make-Ahead Bliss: Baked cookies can be frozen for 4 weeks. Layer them between parchment paper in a sealed container to maintain their powdered sugar coating and crinkly texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15min

Cook Time: 14min

Total Time: 1hr 59min

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 22

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Ingredient List

For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cookies, ensuring a tender crumb.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep red color characteristic of red velvet.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the cookie.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates rich, tender texture and adds luxurious flavor to the cookies.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create crisp edges on the cookies.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's structure.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, delicate crumb.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, comforting background flavor that complements the chocolate.
  • Red Food Coloring: Gives the signature vibrant red velvet appearance.
For Coating and Finishing:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates the classic crinkle effect and adds a sweet, delicate exterior to the cookies.

Tools to Make These Crinkle Cookies

  • Standing mixer or hand mixer: Essential for whipping butter and sugar to fluffy perfection and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Small mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together before combining.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Silpat or parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Wire rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and keeps them crisp.
  • Small bowls: Needed for powdered sugar and separating ingredients.
  • Spatula: Useful for scraping down mixer sides and folding ingredients.
  • Baking sheet: Provides even surface for baking cookies.

Baking Method for Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

  • Dry Ingredient Preparation

Mix cocoa, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl to create a smooth powder blend that will give the cookies their signature texture.

  • Butter and Sugar Mixture

Cream softened butter with granulated sugar using a mixer until the combination becomes light and fluffy, creating a rich base for the cookies.

  • Liquid Ingredient Incorporation

Add eggs one at a time, then blend in milk, vanilla, and red food coloring to create a vibrant crimson dough with deep flavor undertones.

  • Dough Chilling

Combine wet and dry ingredients carefully, then refrigerate the dough for about 90 minutes until it becomes firm and easy to handle.

  • Cookie Shaping

Roll chilled dough into small spheres, generously coating each ball with powdered sugar to create the classic crinkle cookie appearance.

  • Baking Process

Place sugar-coated dough balls on a lined baking sheet, then bake in a preheated oven until edges are slightly crisp and centers remain soft.

  • Cooling and Storage

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet briefly, then transfer to a cooling rack and store in an airtight container to maintain their delightful texture.

Helpful Hints for Better Crinkles

  • Replace red food coloring with natural alternatives like beet juice or raspberry puree for a healthier twist without compromising vibrant color.
  • Sprinkle dark chocolate chips or add a teaspoon of espresso powder to intensify the rich cocoa undertones and create more complex taste profiles.
  • Chill dough longer for more defined crinkle cracks and prevent excessive spreading during baking, ensuring picture-perfect cookie appearance.
  • Dust cookies with edible glitter, drizzle white chocolate, or sprinkle crushed candy canes for festive seasonal variations that elevate presentation.
  • Layer cookies between parchment paper in an airtight container to maintain softness and prevent sticking, keeping them fresh for up to five days at room temperature.
Print
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Velvety Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Velvety Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies


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4.8 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 1hr 59min
  • Yield: 22 1x

Description

Delectable red velvet crinkle cookies blend rich cocoa and velvety texture for a sensational dessert experience. Powdered sugar-dusted edges and deep crimson color make these cookies irresistible when you want something special.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ⅓ cups (267 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 5 tsps red food coloring
  • 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsps baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
  2. Dough Creation: Cream butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs one at a time, then incorporate milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to achieve a vibrant crimson mixture.
  3. Mixing and Chilling: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture at low speed, avoiding overmixing. Wrap dough and refrigerate for 90 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and dough to firm up.
  4. Coating and Shaping: Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare powdered sugar in a shallow dish. Form chilled dough into uniform spheres using lightly greased hands, then generously roll each ball in powdered sugar for complete coverage.
  5. Baking and Cooling: Arrange coated dough balls on a lined baking sheet, gently pressing to slightly flatten. Bake for 13-14 minutes until edges set and surfaces develop a characteristic crackled appearance. Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. Storage: Once cooled, store cookies in a sealed container to maintain their soft texture and freshness.

Notes

  • Chill Dough Effectively: Refrigerate for full 90 minutes to develop rich flavor and prevent spreading during baking.
  • Prevent Sticky Hands: Lightly grease hands with cooking spray when forming dough balls to ensure smooth, easy shaping.
  • Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar for classic crinkle look, ensuring thick, even white coverage.
  • Cooling is Crucial: Let cookies rest on baking sheet for exactly 5 minutes to set structure before transferring, maintaining delicate texture.
  • Prep Time: 15min
  • Cook Time: 14min
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 22
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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