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Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies – Festive and Fudgy

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are the perfect blend of classic red velvet flavor and soft, fudgy crinkle goodness — making them one of the most festive and eye-catching cookies for the holidays. With their deep ruby color, snowy powdered-sugar exterior, and melt-in-your-mouth texture, these cookies instantly brighten dessert platters, Christmas cookie boxes, Valentine’s Day gifts, or any special celebration. Red velvet is known for its rich cocoa notes, buttery softness, and iconic red color. This recipe combines all the best parts of classic red velvet cake with the irresistible look and texture of a traditional chocolate crinkle cookie. The result? A cookie that’s tender, fudgy in the center, lightly crisp on the outside, and coated in beautiful white sugar cracks that look like frosted winter patterns. These cookies use simple pantry ingredients: butter, cocoa, eggs, sugar, vanilla, flour, and of course, red food coloring for that iconic finish. The dough chills to develop flavor and ensure the perfect crinkled top. When baked, the powdered sugar coating breaks open into dramatic cracks that reveal the rich red velvet interior — stunning, delicious, and totally irresistible. Let’s bake these soft, vibrant, festive cookies that bring holiday cheer in every bite!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
bake & Chill Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 22 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Fresh Ingredients
  • 2 Large eggs
Dry Ingredients
  • 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour
  • ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • ½ cup Powdered sugar for rolling
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
Flavorings
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon Red food coloring
Dairy
  • ½ cup Unsalted butter softened

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Whisk
  • Silicone spatula
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Plastic wrap
  • Baking trays
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack
  • Small bowl for powdered sugar

Method
 

Step 1: Cream Butter & Sugar
  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together:
  2. Softened butter
  3. Granulated sugar
  4. Beat for 2–3 minutes until light, fluffy, and creamy.
Step 2: Add Eggs & Vanilla
  1. Mix in:
  2. Eggs
  3. Vanilla extract
  4. Beat until the mixture becomes smooth and thick.
Step 3: Add the Red Coloring
  1. Add the red food coloring and mix until fully incorporated.
  2. The batter should turn vibrant, deep red — add a bit more coloring if needed.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  2. Flour
  3. Cocoa powder
  4. Baking powder
  5. Salt
  6. Ensure no cocoa lumps remain.
Step 5: Form the Dough
  1. Add the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
  2. Use a spatula or mixer on low to combine until a thick dough forms.
  3. The dough will be slightly sticky — perfect for crinkles.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
  1. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours, or overnight.
  3. Chilling helps with:
  4. Beautiful cracks
  5. Thick cookie texture
  6. Deep flavor development
  7. Preventing cookies from spreading
Step 7: Shape the Cookies
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line baking trays with parchment paper.
  3. Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
  4. Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls.
  5. Roll each ball until smooth, then coat heavily in powdered sugar.
  6. Thick sugar coating = strong, snowy crinkles.
Step 8: Bake
  1. Place dough balls on trays with room to spread.
  2. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until:
  3. Tops crack beautifully
  4. Edges are set
  5. Centers still look soft
  6. Do NOT overbake — fudgy centers are the key.
Step 9: Cool
  1. Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
  2. Transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.
  3. Their snowy cracks and red interior will look stunning once cooled.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store cookies in an airtight container for 5–6 days.
Freezer
Freeze dough balls or baked cookies for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Microwave 6 seconds for warm, slightly melty centers.
🥄 Variations
1. White Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Crinkles
Fold in white chocolate chips before chilling the dough.
2. Red Velvet Cream Cheese Crinkles
Press a tiny cube of cream cheese inside each dough ball.
3. Extra Fudgy Crinkles
Add 2 tablespoons melted chocolate to the dough.
4. Christmas Sprinkle Crinkles
Roll the dough in powdered sugar + red & green sprinkles.
5. Valentine’s Heart Crinkles
Add pink sprinkles after baking.
6. Double Cocoa Crinkles
Add chocolate chips for deeper fudgy flavor.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why didn’t my cookies crack?
Your dough wasn’t chilled long enough — chill at least 1 hour.
2. Why did the powdered sugar melt?
Roll the dough in a thicker layer of powdered sugar.
3. Can I use liquid food coloring?
Yes — but you may need a bit more for strong red color.
4. Why are my cookies brown instead of red?
Not enough coloring — add more next time.
5. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
6. Why are my cookies dry?
They were baked too long — remove while centers look soft.
7. Do I need butter or can I use oil?
Butter gives the best red velvet flavor and texture.
8. Can kids help make this recipe?
Yes — rolling in sugar is very kid-friendly.
9. Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes — chill up to 48 hours before baking.
10. Why did my cookies spread too much?
Your dough was too warm — chill longer.
🏁 Conclusion
These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are everything festive baking should be — soft, fudgy, beautifully cracked, and bursting with warm cocoa flavor in every bite. With their stunning red color and snowy powdered sugar tops, they’re guaranteed to stand out on any Christmas dessert board, Valentine’s Day tray, or holiday cookie box.
They’re beautiful, delicious, easy to make, and full of nostalgia — the perfect combination for every season. Whether you’re baking for your family, creating Pinterest content, or preparing gifts for loved ones, these cookies will quickly become one of your signature festive recipes.
Bake a batch, admire their vibrant color, and enjoy the magic of red velvet!