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why make this recipe
These red velvet cookies look bright and feel special. They bake fast and need few ingredients. They are a simple way to make a sweet gift or a treat for guests.
introduction
These cookies are soft, crackly, and red inside. A white chocolate heart in the center makes them pretty and tasty. They match well with a warm drink like a 5-ingredient hot chocolate recipe when you want a cozy snack.
how to make Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Hearts
- Preheat oven and line a baking sheet.
- Mix the melted butter, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and red food coloring until smooth.
- Add the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Stir just until combined.
- Split dough and roll into six balls. Roll each in extra sugar.
- Bake until crackled and dry on top, then cool two minutes on the sheet.
- Move cookies to a rack to cool completely. After 10 minutes, press one white chocolate heart into each cookie.
- Chill for 30 minutes to set the hearts, then bring to room temperature before serving.
Ingredients :
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling, 1 large egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring, 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon fine salt, 6 white chocolate peanut butter hearts like Reese’s
Directions :
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone mat. Stir together the melted butter, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until well combined. Sprinkle the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt over the dough and stir just to combine. Divide the dough in half and form 3 cookies from each half. Roll the dough balls in your hands, coat lightly with extra granulated sugar, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until they spread, crackle, and appear dry on top. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled for 10 minutes, press a white chocolate heart into the center of each cookie. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the hearts, then bring to room temperature before serving.
how to serve Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Hearts
Serve one or two cookies on a small plate. They pair nicely with milk or a warm drink like this 5-ingredient hot chocolate recipe. Arrange them on a platter for a party or wrap a few in a box for a gift.
how to store Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Hearts
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them softer, add a slice of bread to the container for one day. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies without the white chocolate hearts for up to 1 month and add hearts after thawing.
tips to make Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Hearts
- Measure flour with a spoon and level it to avoid dry dough.
- Use gel food coloring for bright red color without adding liquid.
- Do not overmix after adding flour; stir until just combined.
- Cool cookies 10 minutes before pressing the white chocolate hearts so they do not melt too much.
- Chill the cookies after adding hearts to help them set and keep their shape.
variation (if any)
- Use white chocolate chips or drops instead of white chocolate hearts. Press one into each cookie after baking.
- Add a pinch of instant espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor.
- Make mini cookies for bite-sized treats by forming smaller dough balls and reducing bake time to 8-10 minutes.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these without food coloring?
A: Yes. The cookies will be a darker brown red velvet flavor, but they will still taste good.
Q: Can I use salted butter?
A: Yes, but reduce or skip the added salt in the recipe to keep balance.
Q: Can I bake larger or smaller cookies?
A: Yes. Bake time will change. Smaller cookies need less time (8–10 minutes). Larger cookies may need a few more minutes.
Q: Can I use whole eggs instead of just egg yolk?
A: You can, but the texture may change. The cookie may be slightly lighter and spread more.
Q: How do I prevent the hearts from melting?
A: Let cookies cool at least 10 minutes, then press the hearts and chill for 30 minutes to set.
Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Hearts
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone mat.
- In a bowl, mix the melted butter, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until well combined.
- Sprinkle the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt over the dough and stir just to combine.
- Divide the dough in half and form 3 cookies from each half.
- Roll the dough balls in your hands, coat lightly with extra granulated sugar, and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until they spread, crackle, and appear dry on top.
- Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled for 10 minutes, press a white chocolate heart into the center of each cookie.
- Refrigerate the cookies for 30 minutes to set the chocolate hearts, then bring to room temperature before serving.
