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Cozy Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies with Cream Cheese Centers

red velvet crinkle cookies - featured image
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These cozy red velvet crinkle cookies feature a soft, fudgy exterior with a creamy, tangy cream cheese center, perfect for chilly evenings or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (320 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp red food coloring
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp lemon juice)
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar (for filling)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (for filling)
  • ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cream cheese filling: Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with ¼ cup powdered sugar and ½ tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Scoop into 1 tsp balls, place on parchment-lined plate, and freeze at least 30 minutes.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: Beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add wet ingredients: Beat in egg, vanilla extract, red food coloring, then buttermilk until smooth and vibrant red.
  5. Combine dry and wet: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined.
  6. Chill dough: Cover and refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to firm up.
  7. Assemble cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop 2 tbsp dough, flatten slightly, place frozen cream cheese ball in center, and seal dough around it to form a ball.
  8. Coat and bake: Roll each cookie ball in powdered sugar. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake 12-14 minutes until edges are set but centers soft.
  9. Cool: Let cookies cool on baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Freeze cream cheese balls before baking to prevent leakage. Cream butter and sugar well for soft texture. Avoid overbaking to keep centers soft. If dough is sticky, chill longer before shaping. Powdered sugar coating creates signature crinkle effect and adds sweetness.

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cookies, cream cheese cookies, crinkle cookies, holiday cookies, cozy dessert, easy cookie recipe

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/cozy-red-velvet-crinkle-cookies-with-cream-cheese-centers-easy-recipe/