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 ¾ teaspoon gel; 1 ½ 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

Nothing quite beats the cozy, nostalgic feeling of biting into a soft, rich cookie that’s also a feast for the eyes. That’s exactly why I love sharing this Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe—it’s a showstopper for any occasion, with that tender red velvet flavor and the dreamy cream cheese frosting that always steals the spotlight.

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've made a lot of cookies in my time, but these red velvet beauties with cream cheese frosting always bring a special kind of joy to my kitchen. The balance of flavors and textures feels just right — velvety sweetness tucked beneath a frosting that’s tangy and smooth. It’s truly a recipe that brings smiles all around.

Ultimate Flavor Combo: The rich cocoa in the cookie paired with creamy, spiced cream cheese frosting makes every bite a delight.
Soft & Chewy Texture: Crafted to be tender with a slight chew, these cookies won't dry out—perfect every time.
Festive and Fun: The vivid red color brightens up any cookie tray, and you can customize with sprinkles or holiday-themed decorations.
Easy to Adapt: Whether you want peppermint for winter or skip it for year-round baking, this recipe lets you make it your own.

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 here plays a role in creating the soft, flavorful cookies that pair wonderfully with the frosting. I recommend using room-temperature dairy and eggs to help everything blend smoothly and the cookies bake evenly.

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: Provides structure, but fluffing and spooning it in gently keeps cookies light and tender.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds that signature rich chocolate undertone without overpowering the velvet flavor.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a perfect soft texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all other flavors.
Unsalted butter: At room temperature, it creams with sugar for a light base and adds richness.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and creates a tender crumb when creamed properly with butter.
Egg: Binds ingredients, adds moisture, and contributes to the soft chewiness.
Eggnog or milk: Adds moisture and a touch of festive flavor; eggnog really shines during holiday seasons.
Red food coloring or gel: For that iconic red hue—choose concentrated gel for vibrant color without diluting dough.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with warmth and sweetness.
Peppermint extract (optional): Gives a fresh holiday twist; I love adding this around Christmas time.
Sour cream: Adds moisture and tenderness, making each cookie soft and rich.
Sprinkles (optional): Fun for decorating and adding a little crunch or festive flair.
Cream cheese: The star of the frosting—smooth and tangy for contrast to sweet cookies.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting for that perfect spreadable consistency.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Light spices that complement the cream cheese and deepen flavor.

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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 like to switch things up to keep things interesting. Sometimes I add peppermint extract around the holidays for a festive twist, and other times I leave it out to enjoy these cookies all year long. You can also swap eggnog with milk if you prefer a milder frosting flavor.

Minty Holiday Version: Adding peppermint extract gives these cookies a refreshing pop, perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges. I always get compliments when I include it!
Dairy-Free Modification: Use a dairy-free cream cheese and milk alternative; just make sure they’re room temp for the best frosting texture.
Natural Coloring: Tried beet powder instead of food coloring—results in a lovely natural red, and no beet taste at all!

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

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. I like doing this early because it lets me stay organized and ensures even distribution—no clumps of cocoa powder hiding in your dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high until it’s fluffy. This usually takes about 2 minutes. This step is key—if you don’t get that fluffiness, your cookies might turn out dense rather than light and tender.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the egg, eggnog or milk, red food coloring, vanilla, and peppermint extract if you’re using it. Just mix until combined; overmixing here can toughen cookies later.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Reduce your mixer speed to low and add half of the flour mixture, then the sour cream, followed by the rest of the flour. Mixing on low prevents flour from flying everywhere and keeps the dough tender. Don’t overdo this step—mix just till combined.

Step 5: Shape and Bake

The dough is sticky, which is totally normal. I spray my hands with a bit of cooking spray and lightly flour them before scooping and rolling 2-tablespoon balls. Space them roughly 2½ inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes until the centers are just set—don’t overbake or they’ll lose that soft chewiness you want.

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

Once completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting generously. I love adding a few sprinkles or little holiday-themed candies on top for a festive touch. The frosting has cinnamon and nutmeg, which add a lovely warm depth that pairs beautifully with the red velvet base.

Top Tip

Baking these red velvet cookies is rewarding but there are a few things I’ve learned that make the results truly shine. These practical tips helped me nail the perfect texture and flavor every time.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Don’t skip this! Butter, eggs, and sour cream at room temp mix more evenly, which improves texture and flavor.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies might look slightly underdone in the center when you pull them out; they’ll firm up as they cool and stay soft.
Sticky Dough Hack: Using cooking spray on your hands helps manage the sticky dough without adding extra flour, keeping cookies tender.
Frost Only When Cooled: Frosting melts onto warm cookies, so patience here ensures a prettier, cleaner finish.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with rainbow or red-and-green sprinkles for holiday parties, but crushed candy canes or tiny edible silver pearls also add great texture and charm. For a more elegant look, dust lightly with cocoa powder or a bit of powdered sugar.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own but are lovely paired with a cozy mug of hot cocoa or a creamy latte. For a party, I sometimes serve them alongside a cheese board for a sweet finish that balances out savory bites.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I enjoy arranging cookies in a festive wreath shape on a large platter with fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries scattered around. It looks beautiful and gets guests chatting before tasting! Wrapped individually with ribbon also makes a charming gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Because of the cream cheese frosting, I recommend refrigeration if keeping longer, but that can slightly firm up the frosting.

Freezing

I’ve frozen unfrosted cookie dough balls arranged on a tray, then transferred to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, they go straight into the oven with just a minute or two added to bake time. Fully baked and frosted cookies also freeze well; just thaw in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

Warm your cookies for 10-15 seconds in the microwave to refresh softness, but be careful not to melt the frosting. You can also bring the cookies to room temperature if they’ve been refrigerated; this helps restore their tender crumb.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a good-quality gluten-free baking flour blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Be sure to check your cocoa powder and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.

Why is my frosting too runny?

If your cream cheese frosting is too runny, it might be because your cream cheese or butter are too warm or you added too much liquid. Try chilling the frosting in the fridge briefly or adding a bit more powdered sugar to thicken it up.

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

Yes, but you’ll need to use more liquid food coloring (about 1 tablespoon versus ¾ teaspoon gel), which can slightly change the dough’s consistency. Be sure to adjust moisture levels if needed or choose gel coloring for a more vibrant color with less liquid.

How do I avoid flat cookies?

Make sure your butter isn’t too soft or melted—room temperature but still firm is ideal. Also, chilling the dough briefly can help cookies hold their shape better while baking. Baking soda freshness is important too for proper rise.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my baking repertoire—it’s perfect for sharing and sure to earn you smiles. From the first mix to the final dollop of frosting, it offers that satisfying experience of baking something both beautiful and delicious. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a go-to recipe you’ll enjoy making (and eating) for years to come.