Soft, chocolatey, and coated in powdered sugar – the ultimate festive treat.
There’s something magical about red velvet. The rich cocoa flavor, the bold red color, and the slight tang from the acidity all come together in a unique and beloved dessert. These red velvet crinkle cookies capture that magic in bite-sized form. With a soft, chewy center and a beautiful crinkled sugar coating, they’re as stunning as they are delicious.
I first made these cookies on a snowy winter afternoon, and they’ve since become a tradition in my kitchen. Whether it’s for the holidays, Valentine’s Day, or a simple weekend treat, they never fail to impress.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- Striking red velvet color that adds a festive touch to any dessert table
- Sweet powdered sugar coating that creates the classic crinkle cookie look
- Soft, tender interior thanks to the perfect balance of ingredients
- White chocolate chips add creamy bursts of sweetness in every bite
- Perfect for gifting or enjoying with a warm drink on a cozy day
Ingredients
- 375 g pastry flour
- 25–30 g cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 4 teaspoons red food coloring (preferably Sugarflair)
- 170 g unsalted butter, softened
- 200 g granulated sugar (or 230 g for a sweeter cookie)
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
Instructions
1. Sift the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Mix the liquid flavorings
In a small bowl, stir together the milk, vanilla bean paste, lemon juice, and red food coloring.
3. Cream the butter and sugar
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter for 1 minute until smooth. Add the sugar and beat on medium speed for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients
Switch to the paddle attachment if using a stand mixer. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Add the red-colored milk mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
6. Fold in the white chocolate chips
Use a spatula to gently fold in the white chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
7. Chill the dough
Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). Chilling helps the dough firm up and ensures beautiful crinkles when baked.
8. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) with both top and bottom heat. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
9. Shape and coat
Scoop the chilled dough into small balls using a teaspoon or small cookie scoop. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar and place on the baking tray, leaving space between them.
10. Bake
- For larger cookies: Bake at 175°C for about 13 minutes
- For smaller cookies: Bake at 170°C for about 10 minutes
The cookies should puff up and develop their signature crinkled tops.
11. Cool completely
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray until firm, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Success
- Don’t skip chilling the dough. It keeps the cookies from spreading too much and enhances their texture.
- Use a quality red food coloring for a bold, vibrant red. Gel-based colors like Sugarflair work best.
- Generously coat in powdered sugar. A thick coating ensures a strong crinkle effect.
- Avoid overbaking. Cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
Storage & Serving
Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight tin or container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the dough balls (before coating in sugar) for up to 2 months. Simply thaw slightly, coat in sugar, and bake as directed.
Serve them on a holiday dessert tray, package them in boxes for gifting, or enjoy one with a cup of coffee or tea. They’re sure to impress.
Final Thoughts
These red velvet crinkle cookies are everything you want in a cookie: eye-catching, flavorful, and perfectly textured. With rich cocoa flavor, creamy white chocolate, and that unmistakable crinkled look, they’re bound to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Let me know how they turn out for you—and don’t be surprised if they vanish within hours!