Soft, chewy homemade red velvet cookies topped with a sweet cream cheese frosting. A festive and delicious Christmas cookie recipe!

It is Day #2 on my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies! These Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are 10/10 and such a fun and festive Christmas cookie.

These are super soft and chewy red velvet cookies, with a hint of chocolate flavor, and topped with the perfect cream cheese frosting. Red velvet and cream cheese go together like pb+j. These Frosted Red Velvet Cookies will be a hit on your Christmas goodie plate.

Red Velvet Cookie Ingredients:

• Butter — use salted or unsalted butter in this red velvet cookie recipe. If you use salted butter, reduce the salt by ¼ teaspoon.
• Brown Sugar — this is what gives the cookies that perfectly chewy center.
• Sugar — this is what gives the cookie sweetness and crisp edges.
• Eggs — this is the binder that pulls the liquid and dry ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract — use pure vanilla extract in cookies for authentic flavor.
• Red Food Coloring — may use liquid or gel food coloring.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder — this gives the cookies a hint of light chocolate flavor. I buy Callebaut cocoa powder in the bulk bins at Winco.
• Flour — use all-purpose flour in these cookies.
• Cornstarch — this is what gives the red velvet cookies the extra soft texture.
• Baking Soda — this gives the cookies the perfect rise.
• Salt — a flavor enhancer and a must in all baking recipes.

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

• Butter — use salted butter to make this cream cheese frosting.
• Cream Cheese — use full-fat cream cheese and make sure to soften the cream cheese before whipping it.
• Powdered Sugar — also known as confectioner’s sugar.

How to make Frosted Red Velvet Cookies:

Tips and Q & A’s:

What type of red food coloring should I use in Red Velvet Cookies?

There are two types of red food coloring — gel food coloring and liquid food coloring. 

Gel food coloring is more concentrated and has a corn syrup or glycerin base. You need less gel food coloring in recipes and it is a thicker consistency so it is perfect when you don’t want extra liquid in a recipe.

Liquid food coloring has a water base and a thinner consistency. You will generally need more liquid food coloring in a recipe because it is thinner and not as concentrated as gel food coloring.

How do I know when the Red Velvet Cookies are done baking?

These soft red velvet cookies are perfectly chewy and it is important to not overbake these cookies.

The cookies will begin to spread and the edges will start to crinkle slightly and the centers puff up. It is better to pull them out on the earlier side as the cookies will continue to bake on the cookie sheet once you remove them from the oven.

What type of cocoa powder do I use in these cookies?

I suggest using a good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder. 

I buy Callebaut cocoa powder at Winco in their bulk bin section. It is so reasonably priced compared to what you would pay online and the quality is amazing.

I also suggest Ghirardelli, Trader Joe’s, and Guittard.

If you love Red Velvet, check out my popular Red Velvet Recipes:

Baking Tools:

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Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Preheat oven to 385 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and sugar for 4 minutes, until light and fluffy.

• Add eggs, vanilla, and red food coloring and mix for 1 minute longer.

• Fold in cocoa powder, flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.

• Scoop cookie dough onto a light colored, parchment paper lined baking sheet. Spread at least two inches apart.

• Bake for 9-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let set up for 5 minutes before removing to cooling rack. Let cool.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• In a bowl, whip together softened butter and softened cream cheese for 1-2 minutes. Add powdered sugar and whip until creamy and smooth. May add 1 teaspoon of milk if you want it to be thinner. Also may add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, if so desired.

• Frost the cooled cookies with cream cheese frosting. Store in a covered container. Since these cookies are topped with cream cheese frosting, it is best to store them covered in the refrigerator if you aren't eating them right away. These cookies freeze well.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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