Decadent Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies

Welcome to a delightful treat for your taste buds – Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies! These decadent cookies are a perfect blend of rich red velvet flavor and creamy goodness of cream cheese. If you’re looking to indulge in a sweet and tangy dessert, then this recipe is a must-try.

In this recipe, the magic happens when the velvety smooth cream cheese filling meets the rich cocoa-infused red velvet cookie. The combination of all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, room temperature butter, red food coloring, and full-fat cream cheese creates a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. These cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re baking for a special celebration or simply treating yourself to a delightful homemade dessert.

Get ready to elevate your cookie game with these Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies. The soft and chewy texture, along with the luscious cream cheese filling, will have your taste buds dancing with delight. Indulge in the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess with every bite of these irresistible cookies.

Quick Benefits

• All-purpose flour provides the perfect structure for the cookies, ensuring they hold their shape and texture.
• Room temperature butter creates a smooth dough consistency without being too greasy.
• Red food coloring gives the cookies their signature vibrant red hue, making them visually appealing.
• Full-fat cream cheese adds richness and tanginess to the filling, elevating the overall flavor profile of the cookies.

Why You’ll Love This Decadent Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

• The perfect texture: Using all-purpose flour ensures the cookies hold their shape without spreading too much, resulting in a deliciously chewy and satisfying bite every time.
• Authentic red velvet flavor: The cocoa powder adds a subtle chocolate taste that complements the tanginess of the cream cheese filling, capturing the essence of a classic red velvet cake.
• Foolproof preparation: Room temperature butter is essential for the cookie dough, making it easy to cream with other ingredients for a smooth and consistent mixture that bakes up beautifully.
• Stunning visual appeal: The vibrant red food coloring not only gives these cookies their iconic look but also makes them a standout treat for special occasions or festive gatherings.
• Indulgent and flavorful: By using full-fat cream cheese, the filling becomes irresistibly rich and tangy, elevating these cookies to a truly decadent treat that will impress anyone who tries them.

Ingredients for Decadent Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies

• All-purpose flour provides the perfect structure. I tried cake flour once and they spread way too much – stick with AP flour for this recipe.
• Full-fat cream cheese makes the filling extra rich and tangy. I tried using the light stuff once, and the filling was disappointingly bland.
• Red food coloring creates that signature look. I prefer gel food coloring since it’s more concentrated and won’t thin out your dough.
• Room temperature butter must be soft but not melty. I leave mine out for about 30 minutes – if your finger leaves an indent that holds its shape, it’s perfect.
• Cocoa powder gives that subtle chocolate flavor red velvet is known for. Regular unsweetened works better than Dutch-processed here since it doesn’t interfere with the color.

How to Make Decadent Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies

Step 1: Prepare cream cheese filling

In a medium bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Scoop the mixture into 16-18 small portions on a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet using a teaspoon. Freeze for at least 30 minutes until firm.

Step 2: Mix dry ingredients

Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare cookie dough

In a large bowl, mix softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until well combined and vibrant red.

Step 4: Combine wet and dry ingredients

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing; the dough will be thick.

Step 5: Chill dough

Place plastic wrap over the dough and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to chill.

Step 6: Preheat oven

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Step 7: Assemble cookies

Take the dough and frozen cream cheese scoops out of the refrigerator and freezer. Flatten about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough in your palm. Place a frozen cream cheese scoop in the center, wrap the dough around it, and seal completely. Roll into a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough and cream cheese scoops.

Step 8: Arrange on baking sheet

Arrange the filled dough balls on the baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.

Step 9: Bake

Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers are slightly soft. Avoid overbaking.

Step 10: Cool and serve

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cream cheese filling will be soft and creamy once cooled.

Storage Tips

Once you have baked and assembled your Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies, it’s important to store them properly to maintain their freshness. To store these cookies, place them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Ensure that the container is sealed tightly to prevent the cookies from drying out. You can also layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper to avoid them sticking together.

For short-term storage, you can keep the cookies at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you plan to store them for longer, it is recommended to refrigerate the cookies. The cream cheese filling can spoil if left out at room temperature for too long. Refrigerated, these cookies can last for up to a week. Before serving refrigerated cookies, allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to enhance their flavor and texture. Remember to enjoy these delightful cookies within a week for the best taste and quality.

Ingredient Substitutions

For the Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies, if you don’t have red food coloring or prefer not to use it, you can try natural alternatives like beet powder or pomegranate juice for a similar red hue. Remember that these substitutes might slightly alter the flavor profile of the cookies.

If you’re looking to make a lighter version of these cookies, you can replace the full-fat cream cheese with reduced-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt for a tangy filling with fewer calories. Just keep in mind that the texture and richness may be slightly different compared to using full-fat cream cheese.

When it comes to the cocoa powder, if you only have Dutch-processed cocoa on hand, you can still use it in the recipe, but keep in mind that it might affect the color slightly. Adjust the amount to your taste preference, as Dutch-processed cocoa tends to be less acidic than regular unsweetened cocoa.

Serving Suggestions

For a fun and creative way to serve these Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies, try sandwiching a generous dollop of cream cheese filling between two cookies to make cookie sandwiches. Dust the edges with powdered sugar for an elegant touch and watch them disappear at your next gathering.

Another serving suggestion is to crumble the cookies over a bowl of creamy vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. The combination of the rich red velvet flavor, tangy cream cheese, and cold ice cream creates a delightful contrast of flavors and textures that will have your taste buds singing.

FAQs for Decadent Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies

Why is it important to use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour in this recipe?

All-purpose flour provides the right structure for these cookies, preventing them from spreading too much during baking.

Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa powder instead of regular unsweetened cocoa powder?

It’s recommended to use regular unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe as Dutch-processed cocoa may interfere with the desired red color of the cookies.

How can I quickly bring the butter to room temperature?

To bring butter to room temperature quickly, leave it out for about 30 minutes or until it is soft but still holds its shape when an indent is made with a finger.

Why is it important to use full-fat cream cheese for the filling?

Full-fat cream cheese adds richness and tanginess to the filling, enhancing the flavor. Using light cream cheese may result in a bland filling.

Conclusion

As you finish baking your batch of Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies, take a moment to revel in the delightful aroma wafting through your kitchen. The combination of rich cream cheese and classic red velvet flavors is truly a match made in dessert heaven. These cookies are not just a treat for the taste buds but a feast for the eyes as well, with their vibrant red hue and tempting cream cheese filling.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies as much as I do. Whether you’re baking these for a special occasion or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these cookies are sure to impress. Share them with loved ones and watch their faces light up with joy as they bite into these soft, velvety treats. Happy baking, and may your kitchen always be filled with the warm scent of freshly baked Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cookies.