Description
Delight in these charming Red Velvet Heart Cookies, perfectly soft and tender with a rich cocoa flavor and a vibrant red hue. These cookies are topped with a smooth, creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting and optionally decorated with sprinkles for a festive touch, making them ideal for celebrations or just a sweet treat any day.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 3/4 cups cake flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or half and half
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the cake flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream together the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light in color.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add sour cream and vanilla extract. Continue beating until everything is well blended.
- Add Food Coloring: Mix in the red food coloring thoroughly until the dough achieves a consistent and vibrant red color.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients, a little at a time, beating until all is fully incorporated and a soft dough forms.
- Chill Dough: Place the dough in a bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour to make it easier to handle.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness, taking care not to roll it too thin to avoid overly crispy cookies.
- Cut Cookies: Flour your heart-shaped cookie cutters and cut out hearts from the dough. Place the cutouts about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool Completely: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack before frosting.
- Make Frosting: In a bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla extract, and enough milk or half and half (2-3 tablespoons) to reach a spreadable consistency.
- Frost Cookies: Pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over cooled cookies.
- Add Sprinkles (Optional): Before the frosting hardens, sprinkle with decorative sprinkles for an extra festive appearance.
Notes
- Be careful not to roll the dough too thin to keep cookies tender and avoid crispiness.
- Chilling the dough is essential to make cutting easier and to maintain cookie shape while baking.
- If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce powdered sugar amount slightly.
- Use gel food coloring for the best vibrant red color without altering dough consistency.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
