Red velvet cookies are an irresistible dessert, perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or anytime you’re craving a treat with a rich cocoa flavor and a touch of elegance. These soft, one-bowl cookies come together in just 20 minutes, making them ideal for bakers of all skill levels.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, you’ll love how easy this red velvet cookie recipe is to make and how delicious the results are.
Why You’ll Love These Red Velvet Cookies
- Quick & Simple: No mixer required just one bowl and a few minutes.
- Perfect Texture: Soft, slightly chewy, with the classic red velvet tang.
- Versatile: Customize with your favorite mix-ins like white chocolate chips, dark chocolate, or even nuts.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Great for holidays, gifts, or as an everyday indulgence.
Ingredients for Red Velvet Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these delectable cookies:
- Butter: Salted butter works best, but unsalted is fine with a pinch of extra salt.
- Sugars: A mix of granulated sugar and light brown sugar for a balanced sweetness and chewiness.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth to the flavor.
- Egg: Helps bind the ingredients for the perfect texture.
- Red Food Coloring: Use regular or gel food coloring for a vibrant hue.
- White Vinegar: Enhances the classic tang of red velvet.
- Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa adds a hint of chocolate.
- Baking Soda & Salt: The essentials for lift and flavor balance.
- White Chocolate Chips: For creamy sweetness (optional but recommended).
How to Make Red Velvet Cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt the Butter: Microwave butter in a large, microwave-safe bowl for about 40 seconds, leaving it mostly melted.
- Whisk the Butter: Stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Combine Sugars: Add granulated and brown sugar to the butter, whisking until combined.
- Add Egg & Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract and egg until fully incorporated.
- Mix in Coloring & Vinegar: Add red food coloring and vinegar, whisking until evenly distributed.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in White Chocolate Chips: Gently stir until evenly distributed.
- Shape the Dough: Scoop out 2-tablespoon portions of dough, roll into balls, and place 3 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes. The centers should look slightly underbaked—this keeps them soft as they cool.
Pro Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Cookies
- Measuring Flour: Always spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife to avoid dense cookies.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: It gives a more vibrant red hue with less liquid.
- Underbake Slightly: Remove cookies when they appear just set but soft in the center for the perfect chewy texture.
- Customize Mix-Ins: Try cream cheese chips, dark chocolate chips, or even crushed candy canes for a seasonal twist.

FAQs
Yes, you can. Substitute beetroot powder or natural red food dye for a less vibrant but still beautiful hue. Note that the flavor may be slightly different.
Absolutely. While white chocolate chips add a creamy sweetness, you can replace them with dark chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits or leave them out altogether.
You can swap white vinegar for apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. The acidity is key for activating the baking soda, giving the cookies their soft texture
Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, which can pack the flour and lead to dense cookies.
Yes. You can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days or bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
For chewier cookies, avoid overmixing the dough and remove them from the oven when the centers look slightly underdone.
Storage Tips
- Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Store baked cookies or dough balls in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Red Velvet Recipes You’ll Love
Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites
Valentine’s Day Cake Mix Cookies
Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe
Try This Recipe Today
If you’re looking for a simple red velvet cookie recipe, this one-bowl wonder is sure to impress. Whether for a holiday, gift, or an afternoon treat, these cookies will quickly become a favorite in your household.
Did you try this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a comment and rating below. Pin this recipe on Pinterest for easy access later.
PrintRed Velvet Cookies
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 14 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, chewy red velvet cookies made in one bowl and ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for holidays or any day you’re craving a sweet treat.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (salted or unsalted)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons red food coloring (or gel)
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter for about 40 seconds until 80% melted. Whisk until fully melted.
- Stir in granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined.
- Mix in vanilla extract and egg. Add food coloring and vinegar, whisking until evenly combined.
- Gradually add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in white chocolate chips.
- Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, place 3 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and centers look slightly underbaked.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Measure flour carefully by spooning and leveling.
- Slightly underbake cookies for a soft texture.
- Swap white chocolate chips with dark chocolate, cream cheese chips, or nuts for variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 216 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 189 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
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