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Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Soft, Chewy, Decadent Twist on a Classic Treat
Master the art of baking red velvet chocolate chip cookies—rich in cocoa, tinted with iconic red color, and bursting with creamy white and dark chocolate chips.
Red velvet chocolate chip cookies take everything you love about red velvet cake—its subtle cocoa flavor, striking red hue, and luxurious texture—and deliver it in an indulgent, chewy cookie form. Add in melty chocolate chips, and you’ve got a cookie that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, birthdays, bake sales, or just because.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to create these beautiful cookies from scratch—ingredient breakdowns, expert baking tips, flavor variations, troubleshooting, and an extensive
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❤️ Why You’ll Love Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
✅ Soft and chewy centers
✅ Crispy edges for textural contrast
✅ Rich cocoa and vanilla flavor
✅ Signature red velvet color
✅ Loaded with white or semi-sweet chocolate chips
✅ Great for holidays, gifting, and themed events
✅ Freezer- and make-ahead friendly
🧾 Ingredient Breakdown
Let’s explore each ingredient and why it’s important.
Dry Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour – Provides the cookie structure.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Gives red velvet its mild chocolatey base (Dutch-process or natural).
- Baking soda – Helps the cookies rise and spread properly.
- Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
Wet Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness and makes the cookies soft and chewy.
- Brown sugar – Deepens flavor and moisture.
- Granulated sugar – Provides sweetness and crisp edges.
- Egg – Binds the dough and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract – Complements both the cocoa and red velvet profile.
- Red food coloring – Creates that iconic red hue.
- White vinegar – Reacts with baking soda to create lift and enhances the red color.
- Buttermilk or milk – Optional for softness and traditional red velvet texture.
Add-ins:
- White chocolate chips – Sweet and creamy contrast to cocoa.
- Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips – Deepens the chocolate experience.
🍪 Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Yield: About 24 medium cookies
🧈 Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring (gel preferred)
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
🥣 Instructions
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, vanilla, vinegar, and red food coloring. Beat until fully combined and evenly colored.
Step 3: Sift and Add Dry Ingredients
Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir gently until a dough forms—don’t overmix.
Step 4: Add Chocolate Chips
Fold in the white and dark chocolate chips, saving a few for topping.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours). This prevents spreading and enhances flavor.
Step 6: Preheat & Scoop
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough into 1.5–2 tbsp balls.
Step 7: Bake
Place dough balls 2 inches apart and press a few extra chips on top. Bake for 9–11 minutes until edges are set but centers are soft.
Step 8: Cool
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
💡 Expert Baking Tips
- Chill the dough: This is critical for shape and chewy texture.
- Use gel food coloring: It produces a vibrant red color without thinning the dough.
- Avoid overbaking: Cookies continue to set as they cool—remove when centers are just barely done.
- For thicker cookies: Chill the dough longer and shape slightly taller mounds.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for better flavor and deeper color.
🍬 Flavor Variations
🎄 Holiday Peppermint Red Velvet
Add 1/4 tsp peppermint extract and mix in crushed candy canes.
🍫 Triple Chocolate
Add white, milk, and dark chocolate chips for ultimate richness.
🧂 Sea Salt Finish
Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking for contrast.
🍪 Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches
Pipe cream cheese frosting between two cookies for a decadent sandwich.
🧁 Cream Cheese Swirl
Add small dollops of sweetened cream cheese to dough balls and swirl with a toothpick before baking.
🧊 Storage & Freezing
Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing (Dough):
Roll dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes.
Freezing (Baked Cookies):
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Cool completely and freeze in layers with parchment between. Thaw at room temperature.
🍽️ Nutritional Information (Per Cookie – Approximate)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150–180 kcal |
| Fat | 8–10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18–22 g |
| Sugar | 12–14 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
Values vary depending on size and chip variety used.
🎉 When to Serve Red Velvet Cookies
- Valentine’s Day
- Christmas cookie exchanges
- Birthday parties
- Wedding dessert tables
- Bake sales and care packages
- Anytime you want to impress guests!
Their bold red hue and melty chips make them visually stunning and deliciously memorable.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I make these cookies without food coloring?
A: Yes, they’ll just be chocolate cookies! The red coloring is for appearance only and doesn’t affect taste.
Q: Can I use natural cocoa instead of Dutch-process?
A: You can, but it may affect the color and taste slightly. Dutch-process has a smoother flavor and enhances the red color.
Q: Can I make them dairy-free?
A: Yes! Use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
Q: Why are my cookies spreading too much?
A: Most likely your dough was too warm. Chill it longer or scoop dough onto cold trays.
Q: Why didn’t my cookies stay red?
A: Some cocoa powders can dull the red color. Make sure to use gel coloring and Dutch-process cocoa for best results.
Q: Can I make the dough in advance?
A: Yes! Chill the dough for up to 24 hours before baking. Or freeze dough balls and bake later.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Definitely! Just be sure to work in batches if your mixer isn’t large enough.
🌟 Final Thoughts: A Show-Stopping Cookie Worth Every Bite
Red velvet chocolate chip cookies offer the best of all worlds: a rich, cocoa-kissed flavor, beautiful red color, creamy white chocolate chips, and a perfectly soft-baked texture. They’re unique enough for special occasions, but simple enough for everyday baking.
Whether you’re impressing holiday guests or treating yourself, these cookies deliver sweet satisfaction in every bite.