Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies – Festive, Fudgy & Dusted in Holiday Magic
There’s something magical about a cookie that’s both beautiful to look at and decadently delicious to bite into. These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies check all the boxes: they’re soft, fudgy, filled with rich cocoa flavor, and rolled in snowy powdered sugar that cracks and crinkles as they bake. ❄️🍪With their signature red hue and gorgeous crackled tops, they’re perfect for Christmas cookie platters, Valentine’s Day treats, bake sales, or sweet gifts. Made with simple ingredients and no chill time needed, they’re as easy to make as they are impressive to serve.If you love red velvet, you’ll also want to try our Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies or Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls – at least two (one for dry, one for wet)
- Electric hand or stand mixer – to cream the butter and sugar
- Whisk – for dry ingredients
- Spatula – for folding and scraping
- Measuring cups and spoons – baking is science!
- Cookie scoop – for uniform cookies
- Baking sheets – lined with parchment or silicone baking mats
- Cooling rack – to cool cookies evenly
Ingredients
Refrigerated:
- 2 large eggs
Baking & Spices:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar for rolling
- 1 tbsp red food coloring gel or liquid
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dairy:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter & Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, beating until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Combine Wet & Dry
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or mixer on low speed.
- The dough will be thick and sticky — that’s perfect!
Step 5: Roll in Powdered Sugar
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls using a cookie scoop or spoon.
- Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar, coating well.
Step 6: Bake
- Place cookies about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until tops are crinkled and centers are set but soft.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
🔁 Variations
Want to shake things up? Try these delicious twists: 1. Stuffed Red Velvet Crinkles
Add a white chocolate chunk or a mini marshmallow inside each dough ball. 2. Cream Cheese Glaze Drizzle
After baking, drizzle cooled cookies with a thin cream cheese glaze for added decadence. 3. Red Velvet Crinkle Sandwiches
Spread cream cheese frosting between two cookies to create dreamy red velvet sandwiches. 4. Mint Crinkle Cookies
Add ¼ tsp peppermint extract to the dough and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top post-baking. 5. Gluten-Free Red Velvet Crinkles
Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and reduce baking time slightly. 🧊 Storage & Freezing
Storing:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep them soft by placing a slice of white bread in the container. Freezing:
Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze unbaked dough balls (without powdered sugar) on a tray, then store and roll in powdered sugar before baking. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are they called crinkle cookies?
The powdered sugar coating cracks as the dough rises and spreads, creating that signature crinkle pattern. 2. Do I need to chill the dough?
Nope! This recipe doesn’t require chilling — but you can chill for 30 minutes if you want thicker cookies. 3. What type of food coloring works best?
Gel food coloring gives the most vibrant red with less liquid, but liquid food coloring works too. 4. Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa?
Yes, but it may give a slightly richer flavor. Natural cocoa is classic for red velvet. 5. How do I keep the powdered sugar from melting?
Make sure cookies are fully coated and don’t skip the generous rolling step. 6. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — these are perfect for holiday batches. Just mix and bake in batches. 7. What does red velvet taste like?
It’s a blend of mild cocoa, vanilla, and a slight tang, with a soft, buttery texture. 8. Can I add chocolate chips?
Yes! Fold in ½ cup white or dark chocolate chips for extra indulgence. 9. How do I make them festive for the holidays?
Add edible glitter, red sprinkles, or roll in green powdered sugar for a Christmas twist. 10. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
It works, but unsalted butter gives the best rich flavor and texture. ✅ Conclusion
These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are everything you want in a festive treat — fudgy, flavorful, beautiful, and super easy to bake. With that bright red color and snowy powdered sugar finish, they’re bound to steal the show on any dessert table. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a romantic Valentine’s Day surprise, or just a cozy weekend at home, these cookies are a guaranteed win. Try them once, and they’ll become a permanent part of your holiday baking traditions. More red velvet love: Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Bake a batch, dust with magic, and share the love.
Want to shake things up? Try these delicious twists: 1. Stuffed Red Velvet Crinkles
Add a white chocolate chunk or a mini marshmallow inside each dough ball. 2. Cream Cheese Glaze Drizzle
After baking, drizzle cooled cookies with a thin cream cheese glaze for added decadence. 3. Red Velvet Crinkle Sandwiches
Spread cream cheese frosting between two cookies to create dreamy red velvet sandwiches. 4. Mint Crinkle Cookies
Add ¼ tsp peppermint extract to the dough and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top post-baking. 5. Gluten-Free Red Velvet Crinkles
Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and reduce baking time slightly. 🧊 Storage & Freezing
Storing:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep them soft by placing a slice of white bread in the container. Freezing:
Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze unbaked dough balls (without powdered sugar) on a tray, then store and roll in powdered sugar before baking. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are they called crinkle cookies?
The powdered sugar coating cracks as the dough rises and spreads, creating that signature crinkle pattern. 2. Do I need to chill the dough?
Nope! This recipe doesn’t require chilling — but you can chill for 30 minutes if you want thicker cookies. 3. What type of food coloring works best?
Gel food coloring gives the most vibrant red with less liquid, but liquid food coloring works too. 4. Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa?
Yes, but it may give a slightly richer flavor. Natural cocoa is classic for red velvet. 5. How do I keep the powdered sugar from melting?
Make sure cookies are fully coated and don’t skip the generous rolling step. 6. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — these are perfect for holiday batches. Just mix and bake in batches. 7. What does red velvet taste like?
It’s a blend of mild cocoa, vanilla, and a slight tang, with a soft, buttery texture. 8. Can I add chocolate chips?
Yes! Fold in ½ cup white or dark chocolate chips for extra indulgence. 9. How do I make them festive for the holidays?
Add edible glitter, red sprinkles, or roll in green powdered sugar for a Christmas twist. 10. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
It works, but unsalted butter gives the best rich flavor and texture. ✅ Conclusion
These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are everything you want in a festive treat — fudgy, flavorful, beautiful, and super easy to bake. With that bright red color and snowy powdered sugar finish, they’re bound to steal the show on any dessert table. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a romantic Valentine’s Day surprise, or just a cozy weekend at home, these cookies are a guaranteed win. Try them once, and they’ll become a permanent part of your holiday baking traditions. More red velvet love: Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Bake a batch, dust with magic, and share the love.