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
Scale
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.
