Red Velvet Crinkle Cookie Recipe

The Best Red Velvet Crinkle Cookie Recipe for Sweet Treats

Baking red velvet crinkle cookies brings magic into your kitchen with a delightful twist on classic desserts.

Soft, crumbly edges promise a delectable experience that melts in your mouth.

Cocoa and cream cheese form the heart of this irresistible treat.

Powdered sugar coating creates a stunning visual contrast against the deep crimson backdrop.

Chocolate lovers will adore how these cookies balance richness and sweetness perfectly.

Simple ingredients come together to craft something truly spectacular.

You’ll want to share these beauties with everyone around your table.

  • What gives red velvet crinkle cookies their signature crackled appearance?

The powdered sugar coating cracks during baking, creating distinctive white lines against the red background when the cookies spread and rise in the oven.

  • Can I reduce the amount of food coloring used in the recipe?

Yes, you can use less food coloring, but it might result in a lighter red color. Some bakers use gel food coloring for more intense color with less liquid.

  • Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, keeps the shape intact, and allows the flavors to develop more deeply. Cold dough also makes rolling in powdered sugar easier.

  • Create Stunning Dessert: Transform ordinary ingredients into a visually striking red velvet cookie that looks professionally made with minimal effort.
  • Master Quick Baking Technique: Learn an easy method to produce bakery-quality crinkle cookies featuring dramatic red color and powdered sugar coating that creates beautiful crackled texture.
  • Perfect Party Pleaser: Deliver a crowd-winning dessert perfect for birthdays, holidays, and special gatherings where guests will be impressed by both appearance and taste.
  • Family Baking Adventure: Enjoy a simple recipe that allows children and adults to collaborate, making cookie preparation a fun shared experience with delightful results.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the red velvet crinkle cookies.
  • Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cookie base.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, tender texture.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Softened butter creates a rich and creamy base for the cookie dough.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cookie texture.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cookies.
  • Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, classic flavor to the cookies.
  • Red Food Coloring: Gives the cookies their signature vibrant red velvet appearance.
Coating Ingredient:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates the classic crinkle cookie look with a beautiful white exterior and provides a sweet finishing touch.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a clean surface for your delightful cookies.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Blend these ingredients until they’re perfectly combined.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a cloud of sweetness.

Step 4: Create Wet Base

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and red food coloring, stirring until the mixture achieves a vibrant, even color.

Step 5: Combine Mixtures

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined. The dough will feel soft and slightly sticky – that’s exactly what you want!

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting period helps the flavors meld and makes the dough easier to handle.

Step 7: Shape and Coat Cookies

Remove chilled dough and scoop into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar, ensuring a complete white coating that will create beautiful crackles.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place cookie balls on prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookies are set but still soft in the center, with a gorgeous crackled top.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before indulging in these velvety, sugary treats.

  • Chill Thoroughly: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and create perfect crinkle texture during baking.
  • Coat Generously: Roll dough balls completely in powdered sugar for that classic crinkle look and sweet exterior crackle effect.
  • Control Color Intensity: Add red food coloring gradually to achieve your desired vibrant red shade without affecting cookie consistency.
  • Prevent Sticking: Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure cookies release easily and maintain their beautiful crinkled shape.
  • Soft Center Strategy: Bake exactly 10-12 minutes to maintain a soft, tender interior while creating a crisp, crackled exterior.
  • Chocolate Chip Crinkle Cookies: Replace red food coloring with cocoa powder and add chocolate chips for a rich, chocolatey version that maintains the classic crinkle texture.
  • Gluten-Free Crinkle Cookies: Swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy these delightful treats.
  • Lemon Crinkle Cookies: Substitute red food coloring with lemon zest, replace vanilla extract with lemon extract, and add a bright, citrusy flavor profile to the traditional recipe.
  • Vegan Crinkle Cookies: Use plant-based butter, flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and dairy-free powdered sugar to create a completely vegan-friendly cookie option.
  • Pair with Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting: Complement the rich red velvet flavor with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting that enhances the cookie's sweetness and adds a luxurious texture.
  • Sip Velvety Hot Chocolate: Enjoy a warm mug of rich hot chocolate alongside these cookies, creating a decadent dessert experience that highlights the cookie's deep cocoa undertones.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream next to the crinkle cookies, offering a cool contrast to the warm, soft cookie texture and balancing its intense red velvet flavor.
  • Enjoy with Sparkling Rosé: Elevate the dessert experience by pairing the cookies with a light, slightly sweet sparkling rosé that cuts through the richness and adds a festive touch.
  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days when refrigerated.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag, keeping them flat. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
  • Warm cookies on a baking sheet at 275°F for 3-5 minutes to restore softness and bring back their fresh-baked taste.
  • Heat cookies for 8-10 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Be careful not to overheat, which can make them tough or dry.
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Red Velvet Crinkle Cookie Recipe

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookie Recipe


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4.7 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 45–47 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Indulgent red velvet crinkle cookies blend rich cocoa and velvety texture into a delightful dessert that melts in your mouth. Powdered sugar-dusted edges and deep crimson centers invite you to savor each delectable bite of pure chocolate bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups (187.5 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (50 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Wet and Coloring Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven at 350°F and arrange parchment-lined baking sheets for the crimson-hued delicacies.
  2. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing vessel, creating a unified dry foundation.
  3. Cream butter and granulated sugar in a spacious bowl until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency, approximately 2-3 minutes.
  4. Introduce eggs individually, thoroughly integrating each one. Blend in vanilla extract and vibrant red food coloring, ensuring uniform distribution.
  5. Fold the dry ingredients into the liquid mixture, stirring minimally until just incorporated. Expect a supple, slightly tacky dough texture.
  6. Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing it to firm and simplify handling while preserving the cookie’s structural integrity.
  7. Extract chilled dough and form into compact spheres. Completely enrobe each ball in a generous coating of powdered sugar, positioning them with ample spacing on prepared sheets.
  8. Roast for 10-12 minutes until edges stabilize and centers remain tender. The surface should display characteristic crackled patterns signaling perfect doneness.
  9. Permit cookies to rest briefly on baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.

Notes

  • Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the cookie’s shape during baking.
  • Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red color without adding extra liquid to the dough.
  • Roll the dough balls in powdered sugar just before baking to create the signature crinkle effect and snow-like appearance.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to maintain the cookie’s soft texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 165 kcal
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Creating single-serving recipes tailored for individuals, small households, or meal preppers
  • Culinary arts with a focus on clean plating and natural styling for food photography
  • Working with fermented ingredients and dairy-based cooking techniques
  • Designing seasonal menus that use fresh, locally sourced produce

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Bend, OR

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Gained hands-on experience in professional kitchens, learning advanced recipe development, seasonal ingredient sourcing, and simple, beautiful food presentation.

ServSafe Food Handler Certification – Portland, OR

  • Program: Food Safety Certification
    Focus: Certified in core food safety and hygiene principles for both home and professional kitchens, with emphasis on ingredient handling, kitchen cleanliness, and safe preparation methods.

Mike’s kitchen journey began with a single goal: to make everyday meals feel like something worth celebrating.
After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Cascade Culinary Institute, he spent years working with local farmers and small kitchens across Oregon, learning the beauty of seasonal, small-batch cooking.
Mike’s approach is simple, cook with what’s fresh, keep it approachable, and always leave room for a little creativity. When he’s not testing yogurt marinades or designing single-serving meals, you’ll find him hiking trails or hunting down the best berries at local markets.

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