If you’re looking for a delightful and festive treat that brings holiday cheer to any gathering, you simply have to try the Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Recipe. These cookies combine the classic, tender snap of spritz cookies with the rich, velvety flavor and vibrant red hue of red velvet, making them both a feast for the eyes and a joy for your taste buds. Perfectly buttery and lightly chocolatey with a touch of vanilla and a gorgeous pop of color, these cookies will quickly become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering ingredients for this recipe is a breeze, and each one plays an essential role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and that signature red color. The balance of cocoa and flour gives a tender crumb, while butter and sugar create that melt-in-your-mouth softness. Let’s take a closer look at these simple yet wonderful players.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base of your cookie dough, giving structure without heaviness.
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder: Provides the rich chocolate undertone crucial to red velvet flavor.
- 1 tsp baking powder: A gentle leavening agent to keep your cookies light and tender.
- 1/2 tsp salt: Enhances all the sweet and chocolate flavors, balancing the recipe.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Delivers that signature buttery richness and helps bind the dough.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies perfectly while contributing to their crisp edges.
- 1 large egg: Adds moisture and a little lift, keeping the cookies soft but stable.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the overall flavor profile.
- 1 tbsp red gel food coloring: Achieves that iconic red hue without watering down the dough. Adjust for intensity.
- 1/2 tsp white vinegar (optional): Helps brighten and deepen the red color for that classic velvet look.
- Sugar for rolling (optional): Adds a delightful exterior crunch and a sparkly finish.
How to Make Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt—this ensures the dry components are evenly distributed, leading to consistent flavor and texture in every cookie.
Step 2: Creaming Butter and Sugar
In a larger mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy, about three minutes. This step is key because it incorporates air into the dough, giving your cookies a tender, delicate crumb and that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth quality we love.
Step 3: Adding Wet Ingredients
Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, and your red gel food coloring to the butter-sugar blend. Beat everything together until smooth and fully combined. For an extra pop of color and to maintain the vibrant red, stir in the optional white vinegar at this stage. It’s a little trick that helps elevate the signature red velvet appearance.
Step 4: Combining Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually incorporate your dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until they come together. The dough should feel soft but firm enough to hold its shape when piped through your cookie press. Resist overmixing here to keep your cookies tender and light.
Step 5: Shaping the Cookies
Load your cookie press with the red velvet dough and choose your favorite disc shapes—stars, hearts, or any festive forms that make you smile. Press the cookies onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing each about an inch apart to allow for gentle spreading during baking. For an extra touch of sparkle, lightly sprinkle them with sugar before they go into the oven.
Step 6: Baking to Perfection
Bake your Red Velvet Spritz Cookies for 8-10 minutes. Be vigilant, as spritz cookies bake quickly and can easily brown too much. You want the edges to be just set while the centers remain soft and tender. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
Step 7: Enjoy and Decorate
Once cooled, these charming little red velvet delights are ready to enjoy! Pair them with your afternoon tea or coffee, or add icing and sprinkles to take them to the next level. They also make a thoughtful, homemade gift that’s sure to impress anyone lucky enough to receive them.
How to Serve Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can add an elegant touch to your Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Recipe. Sprinkle colored sanding sugar or festive nonpareils before baking to make them instantly party-ready. These little details amplify the cookie’s charm and make every bite a mini celebration.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot chocolate, a robust coffee, or a creamy chai latte. For a more indulgent twist, serve alongside a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat. Their buttery texture and subtle cocoa notes complement creamy and rich beverages or desserts perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a decorative plank, surround them with fresh berries or edible flowers, or stack them with colorful ribbons as a charming gift. Using a themed cookie platter for holidays or special occasions enhances the festive vibe. You can also sandwich them with cream cheese frosting for an irresistible red velvet cookie sandwich variation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your baked Red Velvet Spritz Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and tender for up to a week, making them great for meal-prep ahead of parties or special occasions. Placing a slice of bread in the container can help maintain moisture and keep them soft.
Freezing
If you want to keep your Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Recipe on hand longer, freezing is your best friend. Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep well for up to three months, and you can thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready for a sweet treat.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or stored cookies briefly in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes to refresh their delicate texture. Avoid microwaving as it can make the cookies chewy or dry. A gentle warm-up brings back that fresh-baked softness and the buttery richness you crave.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
Sure, but gel food coloring is preferred because it provides more vibrant color without adding extra liquid that could affect dough consistency. Using regular liquid food coloring might make the dough too soft or sticky.
Can I bake these cookies without a cookie press?
While a cookie press shapes the cookies beautifully, you can also use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to pipe dough shapes. Alternatively, roll small balls and flatten slightly for simpler cookies, but the classic spritz shapes might be harder to replicate.
Do these cookies taste like traditional red velvet cake?
They capture the essence with the cocoa and vanilla notes, but since spritz cookies are buttery and crisp, the texture differs. These cookies offer a lighter, more delicate bite with that unmistakable red velvet flavor twist.
Why add white vinegar to the dough?
White vinegar is optional but can help enhance the red color by reacting with the cocoa powder’s acidity. It also subtly brightens the flavor, making the color pop and giving a slight tang that complements the sweetness.
Can I decorate Red Velvet Spritz Cookies with icing?
Absolutely! Decorating with royal icing, cream cheese frosting, or even simple powdered sugar glaze elevates these cookies for festive occasions. Just ensure the cookies are fully cooled before adding any icing to prevent melting.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely hope you give the Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Recipe a try because it’s such a joyful and rewarding treat to bake and share. The vibrant color, tender texture, and classic flavor make these cookies a standout on any dessert table. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a special event, or simply to brighten an ordinary day, these cookies bring warmth and happiness with every bite. Happy baking, friend!
Print
Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 3 dozen cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
Delight in these vibrant Red Velvet Spritz Cookies, featuring a tender texture and rich cocoa flavor with a stunning red hue. Perfect for festive occasions or as a charming gift, these buttery cookies are piped into fun shapes using a cookie press and baked to delicate perfection.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red gel food coloring (adjust to desired color intensity)
- 1/2 tsp white vinegar (optional, helps enhance color)
Optional
- Sugar for rolling (optional, for added texture)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and red gel food coloring to the creamed butter and sugar mixture until fully combined and smooth. Optionally add the white vinegar to enhance the red color.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing only until combined. The resulting dough should be soft yet firm enough to hold shape when piped.
- Pipe the Cookies: Fill a cookie press with the prepared dough and choose your desired shape disc such as stars or hearts.
- Shape on Baking Sheet: Press cookie dough shapes onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Add Texture (Optional): Lightly sprinkle the cookie tops with sugar if you prefer a subtle crunch and added sparkle.
- Bake: Bake cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges become slightly firm. Watch closely to avoid overbaking as spritz cookies bake quickly.
- Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooled, serve your colorful Red Velvet Spritz Cookies with tea or coffee, or package them as a lovely festive gift.
- Optional Decoration: Decorate cooled cookies with icing or sprinkles for an extra festive touch if desired.
Notes
- White vinegar is optional but helps intensify the red color of the cookies.
- Using a cookie press with different shape discs allows for festive and fun cookie shapes.
- Be careful not to overbake; spritz cookies can become dry and crumbly if baked too long.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Decorating with icing or sprinkles can add visual appeal and extra sweetness.
