Name: Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 1 h 11 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour (fluffed, spooned, and leveled); 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 tablespoon eggnog (or milk); 1 tablespoon red food coloring or 3/4 teaspoon gel food coloring; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional for holidays); 1/4 cup sour cream, room temperature; sprinkles for decorating (optional); 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature; 2 tablespoons eggnog (or milk); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; pinch of ground nutmeg and salt

There's something undeniably magical about biting into a soft, rich cookie that pairs perfectly with a luscious frosting, and my Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe hits that sweet spot every time. These cookies have that classic red velvet flavor, but in a cozy, easy-to-handle cookie form topped with creamy, dreamy frosting — trust me, they’re worth every minute in the kitchen.

The image shows a white plate with eight red velvet cookies, each topped with a thick swirl of cream-colored frosting sprinkled with small red sugar crystals. The cookies are round, deep red, and have a slightly rough texture. The white frosting sits on top in a smooth, soft layer, with a slight spiral pattern from the spreading. The plate rests on a white marbled surface with a soft fabric partially visible at the bottom edge. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe because it combines the nostalgic charm of red velvet cake with the easy convenience of cookies. You get all that festive flavor with peppermint and a beautiful hint of spice, making it especially perfect around holidays, but honestly, I make these year-round!

Soft and Chewy Texture: The cookies stay soft and fudgy, perfectly balanced, without turning into dry little discs.
Cream Cheese Frosting Magic: The frosting is tangy but smooth, adding that classic red velvet finishing touch you crave.
Easy to Customize: Peppermint extract or classic vanilla—either way, this recipe adapts beautifully to your flavor mood or season.
Impressive Yet Simple: Your friends will be amazed at the vibrant color and festive frosting, but you’ll know it’s easier than it looks!

The image shows several red velvet cookies on a white marbled surface. Some cookies have a smooth layer of cream-colored frosting sprinkled with small red sugar crystals on top, while others are plain with white chocolate chips scattered on their surface. A few cookies are decorated to look like Santa faces with three layers: a red velvet cookie base, a white frosting layer covering most of the cookie, and toppings forming facial features including dark round chocolate chips for eyes, a red candy for the nose, shredded coconut representing a beard, small red sprinkles on top forming a hat, and a tiny white marshmallow on one side. A small white bowl filled with red and white sugar crystals is placed among the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe isn’t just for flavor — they come together to create the cookie’s perfect texture, color, and that iconic red velvet taste. Here’s a little insight into why I use each one and some shopping tips to get the best results.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small heap of unsweetened cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl with baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine salt, eight tablespoons of unsalted butter cut into sticks, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, one large uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy eggnog, a small white ceramic bowl containing bright red gel food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl with clear peppermint extract, a small dollop of sour cream on a white ceramic plate, a small block of cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl containing powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, a tiny white ceramic bowl with ground nutmeg, and a small white ceramic bowl with fine salt, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-Purpose Flour: Using fluffed, spooned, and leveled flour keeps the cookies tender without turning them cakey or dense.
Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa is essential for that subtle chocolate note that makes red velvet unique.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough so they stay soft and chewy rather than flat and hard.
Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter creams perfectly with sugar, creating a fluffy dough base.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens but also contributes to that crisp edge on the outside of the cookie.
Egg: Adds moisture and acts as a binder - make sure it’s room temp for even mixing.
Eggnog or Milk: A splash keeps things moist; eggnog adds a festive, cozy depth, but milk works year-round.
Red Food Coloring or Gel: Gives the signature vibrant red color. Gel is more concentrated so you need less!
Vanilla Extract: Enhances every flavor note, creating a warm, inviting aroma.
Peppermint Extract (Optional): I love adding this for a subtle holiday sparkle, but it’s totally optional.
Sour Cream: This keeps the cookies moist and tender with a slight tang, mimicking that classic red velvet crumb.
Sprinkles: Purely for fun - these add festive color and texture on top.
Cream Cheese: Key for that rich, tangy frosting that complements the cookie perfectly.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for the perfect spreadable consistency.
Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Adds a hint of warm spice, making the frosting more complex and seasonal.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this recipe my own, whether it’s tweaking extracts or swapping out sprinkles for a grown-up garnish. Don’t hesitate to play around with it to suit your tastes or create a version that fits the season or occasion perfectly!

Minty Holiday Twist: My personal favorite is adding peppermint extract—just a teaspoon gives a festive lift without overpowering the cookie.
Beet Powder Alternative: I’ve tried using beet powder instead of food coloring once, and it gave a natural hue with a beautiful earthy undertone, no beet taste at all.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap sour cream with a plant-based yogurt and cream cheese with a vegan alternative—it still turns out rich and creamy.
Extra Decadent: Adding mini white chocolate chips into the dough ups the indulgence factor without ruining the classic red velvet vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Preheat for Success

Start by warming your eggs, sour cream, and butter to room temperature — this step is crucial for getting that smooth dough consistency. Then, line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and preheat the oven to 350°F. This sets everything up for even baking so your cookies won’t spread too much or turn tough.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This helps distribute everything evenly so your cookies get that consistent red velvet flavor in every bite.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar, Add Wet Ingredients

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until fluffy (about 2 minutes). It’s worth taking your time here — the fluffier, the better the cookie texture. Then add the egg, eggnog (or milk), red food coloring, vanilla, and peppermint extract if you’re using it. Beat just until combined; you don’t want to overmix.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Turn the mixer speed down to low and add half the flour mixture. Next, mix in the sour cream, then add the remaining flour mixture. Stop mixing as soon as everything is combined — overmixing will make the cookies tough. The dough will be sticky, so I recommend spraying your hands lightly with cooking spray and flour before shaping.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Use a cookie or tablespoon scoop to portion the dough into balls, placing them 2½ inches apart on your sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes until the centers are barely set. They’ll look a bit soft, but that’s perfect—overbaking will mean dry cookies. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to completely cool. This step is critical for frosting success.

Step 6: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookies cool, beat together cream cheese, butter, eggnog, and vanilla in your mixer until silky smooth. Add cinnamon and nutmeg for that subtle festive warmth, then gradually add the powdered sugar to get a spreadable consistency. If it feels too thick, add a splash more eggnog.

Step 7: Frost and Decorate

Once the cookies are completely cool, generously frost them using a knife or piping bag. Sprinkle with your favorite seasonal toppings—sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or festive shapes make them extra special. I find decorating is the most fun part and lets your personality shine!

Top Tip

Having made these cookies numerous times, a few things really helped me nail down the perfect texture and flavor every time. These tips might just save you some trial and error!

Keep Ingredients at Room Temperature: Butter, eggs, and sour cream all mix better and give you a smoother dough, which means lighter cookies.
Don’t Overbake: Take the cookies out when the centers still look soft—they’ll firm up on the cooling rack and stay chewy.
Use a Light Hand Mixing Dough: Overmixing after flour is added can develop gluten, which leads to tough cookies. Mix until just combined!
Frost Only When Cookies Are Fully Cool: Apply frosting too soon and it will melt. Cooling completely means you get that perfect frosting texture and look.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with classic rainbow or red-and-white sprinkles for a festive look, especially around holidays. During winter, crushed candy canes or miniature edible snowflakes add a gorgeous touch and a little crunch. For birthdays, I love using edible gold dust for a subtle sparkle that makes guests think you put in way more effort than you did!

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a warm cup of coffee or chai for the ultimate treat moment. They also go surprisingly well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk, making a simple yet decadent dessert plate. For holiday parties, consider serving them alongside other seasonal treats like gingerbread or spiced nuts for a beautiful cookie spread.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve put together cookie platters in tiered stands for special occasions—frost the cookies in different shades of red and pink for a fun ombre effect. Another festive idea: sandwich two cookies with frosting in the middle to make little red velvet cookie sandwiches. They’re perfect little bites for parties and always a hit.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover frosted cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The cool temperature keeps the cream cheese frosting fresh and the cookies soft, but I recommend bringing them to room temp before eating — it really lets the flavors shine through.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I freeze the baked cookies (unfrosted) in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready, I thaw completely at room temperature and then frost them. You can also freeze frosted cookies but place parchment between layers to avoid sticking. They last up to 3 months frozen.

Reheating

To refresh frozen or refrigerated cookies, I let them warm at room temp or zap them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. If they have frosting, I’m careful to just warm the cookie enough to revive softness without melting the frosting. It’s a delicate balance but well worth the effort!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe without red food coloring?

Absolutely! You can omit the food coloring if you prefer a natural look, or use beet powder as a natural alternative. Your cookies will taste just as delicious but will have a more muted color.

How do you keep the cookies soft and chewy?

Keeping ingredients at room temperature, not overbaking, and using sour cream in the dough are key for softness. Also, letting cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring helps them set perfectly while staying tender.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

You sure can! Refrigerate the dough covered for up to 24 hours before baking. This actually helps deepen the flavors and makes the dough easier to handle since it’s sticky. Just allow it to warm slightly before scooping and baking.

What if I don’t have eggnog?

No worries! Regular milk or a milk alternative works perfectly fine in both the dough and frosting. Eggnog adds a festive depth, but the recipe is delicious with simple milk any time of year.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is more than just a cookie to me — it’s a little celebration wrapped in sweet, colorful bites that bring joy to any occasion. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do, and maybe discover your own favorite twist along the way. They’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply treating yourself because sometimes, that’s exactly what life calls for.