Description
Soft and chewy red velvet sugar cookies topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, perfect for holidays or any sweet craving.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups cake flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 large egg white
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar
- Red food coloring (gel recommended)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
- 1/4 cup butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until well blended and lump-free.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, shortening, and sugar together until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
- Add the egg, then the egg white, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and red food coloring to the mixer; blend until the color is vibrant and uniform.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing only until combined to keep the dough tender.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 2 hours to firm up.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop the chilled dough into 3-tablespoon balls, place them on the baking sheets, and flatten slightly with greased hands to 1/2-inch thickness.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the cookies are set; let them cool on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, whip the cream cheese and butter until fluffy, then mix in the vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Spread the frosting over the completely cooled cookies and serve.
Notes
Gel food coloring provides a more vibrant red without adding excess liquid to the dough. Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Chilling Time: 2 hr
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 324
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 41mg
Keywords: red velvet sugar cookies, homemade cookies, holiday baking, frosted cookies, red velvet recipe