Red Velvet Cookies

    I feel like people are turning everything into red velvet these days... and I'm totally here for it. Something I didn't realize for a long time was that red velvet is pretty much just red chocolate. Traditionally, the cocoa powder reacts with some kind of acid like buttermilk and turns red instead of the normal brown. However, I do not buy high enough quality cocoa powder, and neither do most normal people I think, to actually effectively change the color. So to replicate the traditional red velvet, I just add a little less cocoa powder, some vinegar, and a good amount of food coloring to achieve the same result!

    The assembly of this dough is really simple. I start by beating together butter, cocoa powder, and sugar and slowly adding in the rest of the wet ingredients. Once the eggs, oil, milk, vinegar, and vanilla are combined, I sift in my flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Then I mix that in with the wet with salt and some food coloring. I don't have a measurement for the food coloring because the amount you use will heavily depend on the type of food coloring you use and how red you want your cookies. 

    When the dough is all mixed up, I use a cookie scoop to scoop balls onto my lined baking sheet before baking them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes or until they are set in the middle. Once they are done baking, I set them out to cool and beat together my frosting. To make sure the frosting is really smooth, I first beat together my butter and cream cheese until they are very very smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl whenever needed. Then, I add in the powdered sugar bit by bit and the vanilla. With the cookies totally cool and the frosting all beat together all that's left to do is frost the cookies! I like to use a piping bag with no tip or a large circle tip to make a nice swirl on each cookie but you can also just use a butter knife and spread a little bit on each cookie. 

    I love making these cookies for a decadent treat perfect for Valentine's Day or a random Tuesday. They come together super easy and look super fancy. 

     

    What did you think of this recipe? Use the comment section below!