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Amazing Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies

Looking for some delicious cookies with a fun surprise inside? These Red Velvet Cream Cheese cookies are sure to please! A Homemade red velvet cookie with a tasty cheesecake filling that is great for any occasion!

Believe it or not I am not a big cookie person. Like I LOVE them, they are one of my favorite treats, but I don’t make them very often. But these? THESE? I could make daily.

What are Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies?

Red velvet and cream cheese, two flavors that were just meant to be together. These Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies are a dream come true for any red velvet lover. The cookie has a hint of chocolate from the cocoa powder and a striking red color, while the tangy cream cheese filling offers the perfect contrast. These cookies are chewy, flavorful, and oh-so-decadent, making them a perfect treat for Valentine’s Day or the holiday season.

What ingredients do you need for these cookies?

FOR CREAM CHEESE FILLING:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

FOR RED VELVET COOKIE DOUGH:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • Gel red food coloring

How do you make these cookies?

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

CHEESECAKE FILLING:

  • Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until slightly firm, about 30 minutes.

RED VELVET COOKIE DOUGH:

  • In a large bowl using a hand mixer, combine butter, and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  • Next, add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, a few drops of food coloring, and salt. Mix until just combined.
  • If you want the dough redder, add more gel food coloring.
  • Using a two tablespoons cookies scoop, scoop cookie dough and flatten into a pancake-like circle, place it on the baking sheet. Place about 2 teaspoons of cream cheese filling on top.
  • Bring the edges of the dough around the filling and pinch together to seal, if necessary add more dough to cover completely.
  • Roll the filled dough into a ball and place it back on the baking sheet. Arrange cookies about 3 inches apart from each other.
  • Bake cookies 15 to 17 minutes.
  • Cool on a cooling rack before serving.

I don’t know if it is the red velvet or the cream cheese or the yummy combination. These cookies are so good and decadent!

FAQs About Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies:

  • Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel? Yes, but gel food coloring typically yields a more vibrant red color. You may need to use more liquid food coloring to achieve the desired shade.
  • How do I know when the cookies are done baking? Bake cookies for about 8-10 minutes or until they are set around the edges. They will still be soft in the center but will firm up as they cool.
  • Can I make these cookies vegan? Yes! Substitute regular cream cheese with vegan cream cheese, and use a plant-based butter instead of unsalted butter.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Ensure that all your ingredients, especially the butter and eggs, are at room temperature for the best results.
  • When adding the red food coloring, start with a small amount and gradually add until you achieve the desired shade of red.
  • Using a cookie scoop will help you get uniform-sized cookies.
  • Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

I think I am a bit intimidated by cookies to be honest, I love them, but if they are not perfect I don’t want them. A little harsh, I know but I really love a good cookie! and THESE ARE IT!

Variations:

  • Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies: Make the cookies slightly thinner and once cooled, sandwich them with extra cream cheese filling.
  • Gooey Butter Cake Version: Add a heaping tablespoon of sour cream to the cookie dough for a gooey butter cake-like texture.
  • White Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Cookies: Add white chocolate chips to the cookie dough for an extra touch of sweetness.

Where to Serve:

These delectable cookies are perfect for special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or any gathering where you want to impress with a visually stunning and delicious cookie. They also make a wonderful gift.

How to Store Leftovers:

Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookies

I was a little scared to make these, but I had confidence in them since the recipe resembles my famous red velvet cupcake recipe. Plus cheesecake INSIDE of a cookie? I like this kind of challenge. It’s a little extra work but totally worth it.

Topping Options:

Dust the cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle them with melted white chocolate for an extra touch of elegance.

These cookies were fairly simple to make. This recipe will definitely be a staple in my dessert book!

 

Why This Recipe Works:

The combination of cocoa powder and red food coloring gives these cookies the classic red velvet flavor and color, while the cream cheese filling adds a creamy and tangy contrast. The ingredients are simple, and the recipe uses both granulated and brown sugar to achieve chewy cookies with a slight crunch. The addition of vanilla extract brings out the flavors and the chemical reaction between the ingredients ensures the perfect cookie form and texture.

This easy Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies recipe is perfect for those times when you want to create something that’s not just tasty, but also stunning to look at. It’s sure to be the best part of any special occasion.

Check out the video below of how to make them!

What are some other fun red velvet recipes to try?

If you are looking for more amazing delicious cookies recipes be sure to check out this comprehensive list –>  The Best Cookie Recipes For Year Round Baking!

Check out the links below for more fun cookies around the web!

Amazing Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookies
Yield: 12-15 cookies

Amazing Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Looking for some delicious cookies with a fun surprise inside? These Red Velvet cheesecake cookies are sure to please! A Homemade red velvet cookie with a tasty cheesecake filling that is great for any occasion!

Ingredients

  • FOR CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • FOR RED VELVET COOKIE DOUGH:
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • Gel red food coloring

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  3. CHEESECAKE FILLING:
  4. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
  5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until slightly firm, about 30 minutes.
  6. RED VELVET COOKIE DOUGH:
  7. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, combine butter, and sugar until light and fluffy.
  8. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  9. Next, add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, a few drops of food coloring, and salt. Mix until just combined.
  10. If you want the dough redder, add more gel food coloring.
  11. Using a two tablespoons cookies scoop, scoop cookie dough and flatten into a pancake-like circle, place it on the baking sheet. Place about 2 teaspoons of cream cheese filling on top.
  12. Bring the edges of the dough around the filling and pinch together to seal, if necessary add more dough to cover completely.
  13. Roll the filled dough into a ball and place it back on the baking sheet. Arrange cookies about 3 inches apart from each other.
  14. Bake cookies 15 to 17 minutes.
  15. Cool on a cooling rack before serving.

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Brynn Mulder

Monday 6th of February 2023

Love these! Sooo good!

D. Durand Worthey

Tuesday 1st of December 2020

I love the idea of a red velvet cookie, but I especially love the idea even better with the cream cheese filling. I know what cookie recipe I am adding this Christmas! Thank you!

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