It's Red Velvet Cookie Time!
Make red velvet cookies from scratch with adult supervision while mixing, measuring, and baking; decorate with cream cheese frosting and learn basic kitchen skills.
Step-by-step guide to make red velvet cookies
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 3
Measure into a mixing bowl 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Step 4
Whisk the dry ingredients together until evenly mixed.
Step 5
Measure 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar into a separate bowl.
Step 6
Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 7
Add 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons red food coloring and 1 tablespoon white vinegar to the butter mixture.
Step 8
Beat the wet mixture until it is smooth and the color is even.
Step 9
Alternately add the dry mixture and 1/2 cup buttermilk to the wet mixture starting and ending with the dry and mix until just combined.
Step 10
Use a spoon or cookie scoop to place 1-inch dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart.
Step 11
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
Step 12
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and set it on a heatproof surface.
Step 13
Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely.
Step 14
Make cream cheese frosting by beating 4 ounces softened cream cheese with 4 tablespoons softened butter then adding 1 to 1.5 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and mixing until smooth.
Step 15
Spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting onto the cooled cookies and share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
If I don’t have buttermilk, red food coloring, or parchment paper, what can I use instead?
For the 1/2 cup buttermilk called for when alternately adding the dry mixture and buttermilk, mix 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar and let sit 5 minutes; substitute the 2 tablespoons red food coloring with 2 tablespoons beet juice or 1–2 teaspoons powdered red food coloring for natural color; and use a greased baking sheet if you don’t have parchment paper.
What should I do if my dough is streaky red, overmixed, or the cookies spread too much when baking?
If the wet mixture still looks streaky after adding the 2 tablespoons red food coloring, keep beating until the color is even but avoid overmixing once you alternately add the dry mixture and 1/2 cup buttermilk (mix until just combined), and if cookies spread too much chill the scooped 1-inch dough balls 15–30 minutes before baking at 350°F.
How can I adapt the recipe steps for different ages so kids can participate safely?
For younger children have an adult handle preheating the oven to 350°F, measuring hot or sharp-step ingredients, and baking while kids whisk the dry ingredients, press 1-inch dough balls onto the lined baking sheet, and spread pre-made frosting, and for older kids let them measure, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, bake, and mix and pipe the cream cheese frosting themselves.
What are simple ways to enhance or personalize the cookies and frosting before sharing on DIY.org?
Fold 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the dough before scooping, tint the cream cheese frosting slightly with a few drops of red food coloring for a pink swirl, use a piping tip to make decorative swirls, or sandwich two cooled cookies with frosting and chill before photographing for DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make red velvet cookies
Red Velvet Cookies | How Tasty Channel
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Red Velvet Cookies | How Tasty Channel
The Perfect Valentine's Day Treat: Red Velvet Cookies Recipe
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How to Make Red Velvet Cookies
Facts about baking and kitchen safety for kids
🎂 The classic red color in red velvet originally came from a chemical reaction between natural cocoa and acidic ingredients — bakers later added red dye to make it brighter.
🧀 Philadelphia cream cheese, the famous brand often used in frosting, was first produced in 1872.
🍪 The English word 'cookie' comes from the Dutch 'koekje', which means 'little cake' — yum and tiny history!
⏱️ Baking is ancient: people were baking bread in ovens in ancient Egypt over 4,000 years ago.
🌱 If you want a natural red, beet juice or pomegranate can be used instead of artificial red food dye.
