When it comes to festive desserts, few treats can steal the spotlight like red velvet crinkle cookies. These soft, chewy, and vibrant cookies are as gorgeous as they are delicious. The deep red color, rich cocoa flavor, and dusting of powdered sugar make them perfect for holidays, special occasions, or whenever you crave something sweet and unforgettable. Easy to make and undeniably eye-catching, this recipe will become a favorite in your baking lineup.
Let's jump right in and create these beautiful treats from scratch!
Ingredients You'll Need
Before we begin, gather the following ingredients:
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring (or more for a vibrant hue)
Coating:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
- Combine the dry ingredients: Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add eggs and flavor: Mix in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring. Adjust the food coloring as necessary until you achieve the desired shade of red.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want a soft, pliable dough.
2. Chill the Dough
Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 1-2 hours or overnight. Chilling is essential as it helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and creating those signature crinkle patterns during baking.
3. Shape and Coat the Cookies
- Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Roll the dough into balls: Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it between your palms to form a ball. For larger cookies, use 1 ½ tablespoons of dough.
- Coat in powdered sugar: Generously roll each dough ball in powdered sugar, ensuring an even, thick coating. This is what creates the crinkle effect!
4. Bake to Perfection
Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are puffed and crackly on top. Note that they might look a little underbaked when you take them out, but they'll firm up as they cool. Avoid overbaking, as you want them to stay soft and chewy inside.
5. Cool Down
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Expert Baking Tips
- Chill the dough: Don’t skip the chilling step. It enhances the flavor and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Use gel food coloring: Gel food dye produces a vibrant red without thinning the dough like liquid food coloring might.
- Roll generously in powdered sugar: The more generously you coat the dough balls, the more striking the crinkle effect will be once baked.
Serving and Storing Suggestions
Red velvet crinkle cookies are perfect to enjoy with a glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or even a festive hot cocoa. Their bright red color makes them ideal for occasions like Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or birthdays.
To store:
- Room temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the uncoated dough balls for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw slightly, roll in powdered sugar, and bake as directed.
A Cookie to Impress
These red velvet crinkle cookies aren’t just pretty to look at. They’re a bite of pure joy, with a soft, fudgy texture and just the right balance of cocoa and sweetness. Whether you're baking for loved ones or a festive gathering, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. Gather your ingredients, heat up your oven, and get ready to fall in love with your new favorite cookie recipe! Happy baking!
Post a Comment