Description
These red velvet heart cookies are soft, chewy, and beautifully vibrant with a hint of cocoa and vanilla. Topped with a sweet cream cheese glaze or enjoyed plain, they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day, holidays, or anytime you want a festive treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp red food coloring (gel preferred)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Optional Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create the perfect cookie texture.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until fully combined, ensuring a smooth batter.
- Incorporate cocoa and food coloring: Mix in the unsweetened cocoa powder and red food coloring (gel preferred for vibrancy) thoroughly to give the dough its characteristic red velvet color and subtle chocolate flavor.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Mix dry into wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Roll and cut cookie dough: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the dough into cookies.
- Arrange cookies for baking: Place the cut-out heart cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. This ensures a chewy texture.
- Cool before glazing: Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before applying the optional cream cheese glaze or decorating.
- Prepare optional glaze: To make the cream cheese glaze, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1–2 tablespoons milk until smooth. Spread or drizzle over cooled cookies for added sweetness.
Notes
- Gel food coloring gives the brightest red color and better consistency.
- If dough becomes sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before rolling out to make handling easier.
- Cookies stay soft and chewy for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter for extra festive flair, especially for holidays like Valentine’s Day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
