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
Scale
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.
