Do you think of red velvet as a Christmas treat? I didn’t, until my friend Erika mentioned that she likes red velvet at this time of year. After all, Santa’s suit is kind of red velvety, and there are plenty of red velvet bows to go around.
These cookies are a delicious twist on the classic red velvet cupcake, and they were extremely popular in my office this week. You could add frosting to them, but I’d recommend just dusting them with powdered sugar once they’ve cooled; although this photo doesn’t do them justice, they have a beautiful red velvet color beneath the powdered sugar.
I also advise using a spoon to scoop your dough, instead of a cookie scoop, as my one-inch scoop met its maker with this dough.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 8 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled to room temperature
- 1 egg, at room temperature, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling, plus more for dusting
Preparation
In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda; set aside.
In a mixing bowl, beat butter on medium speed for about 1 minute. Add brown sugar and white sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
Add beaten egg and beat until combined.
Add melted chocolate, vanilla, and red food coloring and beat until combined.
Add flour mixture in three batches, beating well between and scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill for about 1 hour, until easier to handle.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Place powdered sugar in a small bowl.
Using a spoon, scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball, then dip in powdered sugar, tossing to coat. Place about 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 10-11 minutes, until tops are cracked and edges are set. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Once cookies are cool, dust with more powdered sugar.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
amy bakes in the 'burgh 