If you’re searching for a truly delightful and festive treat to brighten your day or impress loved ones, look no further than the Red Velvet Heart-Shaped Sprinkle Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe. This charming dessert combines the rich, tender texture of red velvet cookies with a luscious white chocolate frosting that’s just sweet enough, topped with vibrant Valentine’s Day sprinkles for that perfect pop of color and crunch. These cookies are not only a feast for the eyes but also melt-in-your-mouth delicious, making them an irresistible choice for any occasion that calls for a bit of love and joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Red Velvet Heart-Shaped Sprinkle Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe plays a crucial role in creating those perfect textures, flavors, and that gorgeous red hue. The combination of rich butter, tangy cream cheese, and velvety cocoa transforms simple components into a cookie masterpiece you’ll want to savor again and again.
- 1 cup unsalted butter: Provides a creamy base and luscious richness for the cookie dough and frosting.
- 4 oz softened cream cheese: Adds moisture and subtle tang, giving the cookies that unmistakable softness.
- 1 cup sugar: Sweetens perfectly without overpowering the delicate red velvet flavor.
- 1 large egg yolk: Helps bind the dough while adding richness.
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, bringing depth and warmth.
- 3 tsp red gel food coloring: Creates that iconic vibrant red shade that’s impossible to resist.
- 3 1/4 cups flour: Forms the structure of the cookies, ensuring the perfect tender bite.
- 1/4 cup cornstarch: Contributes to a soft, delicate texture by lightening the dough.
- 1/4 cup Hershey cocoa powder: Delivers the classic red velvet chocolate flavor with a slight cocoa bitterness.
- 1/2 tsp salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter (1-3 inch): For cutting the dough into adorable shapes that make these cookies extra special.
- 12 oz white chocolate: Melted and cooled to add decadence and smoothness to the frosting.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and adds a silky texture.
- 2 cups Valentine’s Day sprinkles: Adds festive color and joyful crunch right on top.
How to Make Red Velvet Heart-Shaped Sprinkle Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures that the cocoa and salt are evenly distributed, setting the stage for a perfectly consistent dough throughout.
Step 2: Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This step keeps your cookies from sticking and helps them bake evenly for that ideal tender texture.
Step 3: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar
Using a standing mixer, beat together the butter, softened cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture is smooth, light, and fluffy. This aeration is key to cookies that are delightfully soft and slightly pillowy on the inside.
Step 4: Add the Egg Yolk, Vanilla, and Red Coloring
Beat in the egg yolk, pure vanilla extract, and red gel food coloring. The egg yolk adds richness, the vanilla brings warmth, and the red gel gives the beautiful signature color to your cookies.
Step 5: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, beating until everything just comes together into a cohesive, slightly sticky dough that’s ready to roll out.
Step 6: Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour your cutting board, then roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. This thickness brings out the perfect edge-to-center texture balance: crisp around the edges, tender inside.
Step 7: Cut Out Heart Shapes
Use your heart-shaped cookie cutter to press out festive cookies, then place each cookie spaced evenly on the prepared cookie sheets. This shape adds a sweet and charming touch that’s perfect for gift-giving or celebrations.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges look set but the centers remain soft. Overbaking can harden them, so keep a close eye for that tender balance.
Step 9: Cool Completely
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool thoroughly on wire racks. This step prevents the frosting from melting when applied and helps the cookies hold their shape.
Step 10: Prepare the Frosting Base
Beat the remaining butter with vanilla until light in color using a standing mixer. This creates a creamy, fluffy base that will give the frosting a smooth texture and rich flavor.
Step 11: Add Melted White Chocolate
Gradually beat in the melted (and cooled) white chocolate, folding it carefully to maintain the silky consistency of the frosting.
Step 12: Incorporate Powdered Sugar
Add the powdered sugar slowly while continuing to beat until the frosting reaches a spreadable and pipeable consistency, just right for decorating your cookies.
Step 13: Prepare to Frost
Scoop the frosting into a disposable piping bag and cut the tip off to create a clean outline line for decorating. This makes frosting application neat and effortless.
Step 14: Pipe an Outline
Carefully pipe a frosting outline around each cookie’s edge. This border will act as a barrier to trap the filling and give the cookies a professional, polished look.
Step 15: Fill and Smooth the Center
Fill in the center of each cookie with frosting and gently smooth it out using an angled spatula or the back of a spoon. This makes each cookie look irresistible and evenly frosted.
Step 16: Add Valentine’s Day Sprinkles
Sprinkle some festive Valentine’s Day sprinkles on top while the frosting is still soft. This step adds delightful crunch and festive color bursts that elevate the cookies’ appearance and taste.
Step 17: Let the Frosting Set
Allow the cookies to sit at room temperature until the frosting hardens slightly. This ensures the cookies are ready to handle and enjoy without any mess.
How to Serve Red Velvet Heart-Shaped Sprinkle Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Red Velvet Heart-Shaped Sprinkle Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe even more eye-catching, consider additional garnishes like edible glitter, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or tiny edible pearls. These little touches can add elegance or whimsy depending on your occasion.
Side Dishes
These cookies make a lovely pairing alongside a creamy cup of hot chocolate, rich espresso, or even a chilled glass of milk. The sweetness and texture contrast beautifully with these beverages, creating a well-rounded indulgent snack or dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting or party trays, arrange the cookies in staggered layers on a tiered stand wrapped lightly with a ribbon for a festive effect. Wrapping individual cookies in cellophane tied with a colored ribbon adds a sweet personal touch whether for party favors or holiday gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Red Velvet Heart-Shaped Sprinkle Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This keeps the cookies soft and maintains the frosting’s flavor without becoming too hard or sticky.
Freezing
You can freeze un-frosted cut cookies by placing them between parchment sheets inside a zip-top freezer bag for up to three months. For frosted cookies, freeze first uncovered on a tray until the frosting hardens, then transfer them to a container. This method protects the delicate frosting and shape.
Reheating
If you want to warm your cookies, briefly microwave them for about 10 to 15 seconds to soften slightly, but avoid overheating to prevent melting the frosting or drying out the cookie itself.
FAQs
Can I substitute cream cheese with something else in this recipe?
While cream cheese adds moisture and a slight tang, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a similar effect, though the texture will be slightly different.
Is red gel food coloring necessary for the cookies?
The red gel food coloring is important to achieve that vibrant red velvet color without thinning the dough, which liquids might cause. It’s best to use gel for the most striking hue.
Can I use regular sprinkles instead of Valentine’s Day ones?
Absolutely! Any sprinkles you love will add a fun, colorful touch. Valentine’s Day sprinkles just add an extra festive vibe perfect for themed occasions.
How thick should I roll the cookie dough?
Rolling the dough to 1/4 inch thickness balances tenderness and sturdiness, ensuring the cookies hold their shape while remaining soft enough to enjoy.
What’s the best way to melt white chocolate for the frosting?
Use a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Let it cool to room temperature before adding to the frosting to avoid melting the butter.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend making the Red Velvet Heart-Shaped Sprinkle Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe enough if you want to treat yourself or share a little sweetness with others. They’re festive, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make, perfect for bringing a bit of joy and color into any day. So, grab your mixing bowl and cookie cutter and start creating these charming little delights—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Red Velvet Heart-Shaped Sprinkle Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Red Velvet Sprinkle Cookies are a festive treat perfect for Valentine’s Day. Soft, cocoa-infused red velvet cookies are cut into adorable heart shapes, baked to perfection, and topped with a rich white chocolate buttercream frosting. Finished with colorful Valentine’s Day sprinkles, these cookies are both visually delightful and deliciously moist, making them ideal for celebrations or gifting.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3 tsp red gel food coloring
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup Hershey’s cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 heart-shaped cookie cutter, about 3 inches
Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 12 oz white chocolate, melted and cooled
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups Valentine’s Day sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt until well combined.
- Prepare Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: Using a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter, softened cream cheese, and sugar together until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and fluffy—this creates a light texture for the cookies.
- Add Egg Yolk, Vanilla, and Coloring: Incorporate the egg yolk, pure vanilla extract, and red gel food coloring into the creamed mixture, mixing until evenly combined and vibrant in color.
- Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, beating until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Roll Dough: Lightly flour a clean cutting board, then roll the cookie dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness to prepare for cutting.
- Cut Out Cookies: Use the 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the dough into shapes, and place the cookies evenly spaced on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on wire racks before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting – Cream Butter and Vanilla: In a clean standing mixer bowl, beat the butter and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes light in color and fluffy, ensuring a smooth frosting.
- Add Melted White Chocolate: Gradually beat the melted and cooled white chocolate into the butter mixture, blending well for a creamy texture.
- Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Beat in the powdered sugar gradually until the frosting is fully combined, smooth, and spreadable.
- Prepare Piping Bag: Spoon the frosting into a disposable piping bag, and cut the tip off to create an opening suitable for outlining and filling the cookies.
- Pipe Outlines: Pipe an outline of frosting around the edges of each cooled cookie to define the shape.
- Fill Centers: Carefully fill the center area inside the piped borders with frosting and smooth it evenly using an angled spatula for a neat finish.
- Add Sprinkles: Generously sprinkle Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles on top of the frosting while still soft to create a festive appearance.
- Allow Frosting to Harden: Let the frosting set at room temperature until firm to the touch before serving or storing the cookies, ensuring the decorations remain intact and the frosting is stable.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring to achieve a vibrant red without altering the dough’s consistency.
- Ensure cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for easier mixing and smoother dough.
- If the dough is too sticky, chill it briefly before rolling.
- White chocolate must be cooled before mixing with butter to avoid melting the frosting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives and choose vegan white chocolate.
