Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe

If you’re anything like me and have a soft spot for festive, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, you’re going to adore this Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out—with their vibrant red color and that perfect crackled powdered sugar crust, they look just as delightful as they taste. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a special occasion, or just because you want to treat yourself, these cookies bring a little extra joy to the kitchen.

When I first tried this Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe, I was surprised by how easy it was to whip up such a show-stopping treat. You don’t need any fancy ingredients, and best of all, these cookies come together pretty quickly once the dough chills. I’m sharing all my best tips here so you can achieve that perfect crackle and tender crumb every time—trust me, your family (and friends!) will go crazy for these.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything in this Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe works together to create that signature taste and texture. I always recommend using quality cocoa powder and pure vanilla extract to get the best flavor out of your cookies.

• All Purpose Flour: Provides structure and the perfect base for these cookies to rise and stay tender.
• Baking Cocoa Powder: Adds that classic subtle chocolate flavor that’s essential to red velvet.
• Baking Powder: Helps with leavening so the cookies puff up nicely.
• Baking Soda: Works with the acidic ingredients to give a tender crumb and a bit of lift.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• White Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cookies get that crackled exterior.
• Avocado Oil: An easy-to-use, neutral-flavored fat that keeps cookies moist without weighing them down.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Boosts the overall flavor with warm, comforting notes.
• Red Food Coloring Gel: Provides the iconic red color without changing the dough’s consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: For rolling the dough balls, creating that classic crinkle effect when baked.

Variations

I love to switch up this Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe depending on the occasion or what ingredients I have on hand. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!

• Chocolate White Chocolate Chip: I once folded in mini white chocolate chips into the dough, and it gave the cookies a lovely sweet contrast that my family loved.
• Vegan Version: You can swap eggs with flax eggs and use coconut oil instead of avocado oil for a vegan twist, though the texture may be slightly different.
• Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne gives a subtle warmth and interesting depth to the cookies.
• Double Chocolate: For a richer chocolate flavor, add some finely chopped dark chocolate chunks to the dough before chilling.

How to Make Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This step ensures everything is evenly blended, so your cookies have consistent flavor and rise. I always give the mix a good stir to break up any lumps, especially in the cocoa powder.

Step 2: Cream Sugar and Oil, Then Add Eggs & Flavors

In a stand-up mixer or with a hand mixer, beat the sugar and avocado oil together until it looks light and fluffy—about a minute. It might surprise you, but the texture here really impacts the final cookie crumb. Then, on low speed, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Finally, add the vanilla extract and that tiny drop of red food coloring gel. I’ve learned to be careful with the food coloring—a little goes a long way, so just one drop will get you that beautiful red hue without overwhelming the taste or texture.

Step 3: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients and Chill

Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together. You want to avoid overmixing here to keep your cookies tender. Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step is crucial—I discovered that it helps the cookies hold their shape and develop the perfect crinkle texture when baked.

Step 4: Scoop, Roll, and Coat in Powdered Sugar

Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F. Sift the powdered sugar into a bowl to remove lumps—this makes rolling the dough much easier. Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out dough balls and roll them between your palms until smooth. Don’t be shy about coating them well in the powdered sugar; I learned the hard way that brushing off the excess sugar can cause the beautiful crinkles to disappear. Place each sugared dough ball on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 4 inches between them.

Step 5: Bake to Perfect Crackly Cookies

Bake your Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe for 10-12 minutes, until the tops are crackly and the cookies are puffed up. They will look soft and just set. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. You’ll notice they’ll settle slightly as they cool, which is exactly what you want—soft and tender inside with a gorgeous crinkle exterior.

How to Serve Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep these cookies simple to let their natural color and texture shine, but occasionally I dust a little extra powdered sugar just before serving for that extra “wow” factor. If you want to get festive, a tiny drizzle of white chocolate on top looks amazing and adds a sweet finish.

Side Dishes

I love pairing these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee or tea—perfect for dunking! They’re also a hit alongside simple vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert that’ll make everyone smile.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to stack these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe in a tiered cookie stand, adding some fresh red berries and sprigs of mint for color contrast. It turns a simple batch of cookies into a beautiful centerpiece that guests can’t resist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once fully cooled, store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days—though in my house, they rarely last that long!

Freezing

I like to freeze the dough balls before baking as well as the baked cookies. For dough, roll and sugar coat them, then freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. You can bake straight from frozen, just add a couple extra minutes. Baked cookies freeze beautifully too—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To warm leftover cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or heat in a low oven for 3-5 minutes. This way, they regain that fresh-baked softness without drying out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe holds a special spot in my baking repertoire because it’s easy, reliable, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re making these for a cozy afternoon tea or a festive holiday party, I’m confident you’ll enjoy the process and the delicious results just as much as I do. So, grab your mixer and some powdered sugar, and let’s get baking—I promise it’s worth every yummy bite!

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