Red velvet lovers, rejoice! This Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies recipe will bring the taste of the famous cookies right to your kitchen. With their rich, soft texture and a swirl of cream cheese frosting on top, these cookies are a perfect treat for any occasion. Not only do they look gorgeous, but they also pack a delightful, slightly chocolatey flavor balanced perfectly by the creamy frosting. Whether you’re baking for a special event or just satisfying a sweet craving, this recipe will make your day.
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Why You’ll Love These Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies
These Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies are quick, easy, and irresistibly delicious. The combination of a soft, moist cookie with a tangy cream cheese frosting makes them truly unique. The best part? They come together in just under 30 minutes, making them a perfect option when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
The homemade version of these red velvet cookies beats any store-bought option. They are less sweet than Crumbl’s version, and you can adjust the flavor and texture to your liking. Plus, making them at home is far more budget-friendly. If you’re a fan of red velvet cake, these cookies will be your new go-to!
Ingredients for Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to make these soft, velvety cookies:
- Unsalted Butter: Provides the base for the cookie dough, giving it a rich and tender texture.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: These sweeteners help create the cookies’ soft, chewy texture.
- Large Egg: Essential for binding the ingredients together and giving the cookies structure.
- Vinegar: Adds a touch of tang, which is characteristic of red velvet cake.
- Red Gel Food Color: Gives these cookies their signature vibrant red color.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of sweetness and warmth to enhance the flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The main dry ingredient that forms the cookie base.
- Natural Cocoa Powder: Adds a slight chocolate flavor without overpowering the red velvet taste.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leavening agents help the cookies rise to a soft, chewy consistency.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Unsalted Butter: Ensures the frosting is creamy and smooth.
- Cream Cheese: Adds the signature tanginess that pairs perfectly with red velvet.
- Icing Sugar: Sweetens the frosting to balance the tangy cream cheese.
- Vanilla Extract: For added depth of flavor.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you’re looking to adjust this recipe for dietary preferences or missing an ingredient, here are a few alternatives:
- Dairy-Free Butter & Cream Cheese: Swap for plant-based versions to make these cookies dairy-free.
- Gluten-Free Flour: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free option.
- Coconut Sugar: Replace the granulated sugar with coconut sugar for a more natural sweetener.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vinegar, red food color, and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is fully combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift in the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold everything together using a rubber spatula. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for about 15-20 minutes to firm it up, making it easier to handle.
- Shape the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into large balls (about ⅓ cup each) and slightly flatten them. Leave some dough aside to make crumbs for decoration.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10-11 minutes, keeping an eye on them. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: While the cookies cool, whisk together softened butter and cream cheese in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Frost and Decorate: Once the cookies are cool, pipe generous swirls of the cream cheese frosting onto each cookie. Crush the reserved cookie dough into crumbs and sprinkle them over the frosting for an extra decorative touch.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Red Velvet Cookies
- Weigh Your Ingredients: For the best results, especially with flour, it’s helpful to weigh your ingredients rather than using measuring cups.
- Test Cookie: Always bake one cookie first to test the doneness. Since ovens vary, this will help you determine whether you need to bake for a bit longer or less.
- Gel Food Color: Gel food coloring provides a deeper, more vibrant red color than liquid food coloring.
- Refrigerate Dough If Sticky: If the dough becomes too sticky at any point, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to make it easier to work with.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
While Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies are delightful on their own, you can take them up a notch with these ideas:
- Serve with a Cup of Milk: The creamy frosting and soft cookies are perfect when paired with a cold glass of milk.
- Top with Fresh Berries: For an added burst of flavor, top these cookies with fresh raspberries or strawberries.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
- Spicy Red Velvet: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough to bring in a warm, spiced flavor for the colder months.
Storing Your Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies
- Room Temperature: Keep your cookies in an airtight container for up to 1-2 days at room temperature.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, you can refrigerate these cookies for up to 3-5 days. However, they might dry out a bit in the fridge, so it’s best to enjoy them within a couple of days.
- Freezing: These cookies freeze well! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer them to an airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Conclusion
These Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies are the ultimate treat for red velvet enthusiasts and anyone craving a sweet, creamy indulgence. The soft, velvety texture of the cookies, combined with the tangy cream cheese frosting, offers a flavor profile that perfectly captures the essence of red velvet cake in a cookie form. With minimal ingredients and a straightforward process, you can easily recreate these cookies at home, making them not only a delicious but budget-friendly option compared to store-bought versions. Whether you’re baking for a special event, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these red velvet cookies will not disappoint.
FAQ About Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies
How can I make Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these cookies ahead of time! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 1-2 days before baking, or you can bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. If you prefer, you can freeze the cookies (without frosting) and decorate them later when you’re ready to serve.
Why are my Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies not as red as expected?
If your cookies aren’t as red as you’d like, it could be because of the food coloring used. Make sure to use gel food coloring instead of liquid, as gel provides a richer, more vibrant color. Additionally, if you’re using cocoa powder, choose natural cocoa powder rather than Dutch-processed cocoa for a better red color outcome.
How should I store leftover Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies?
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1-2 days. If you prefer to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to 3-5 days. Just be aware that the cookies may dry out slightly after refrigeration. You can also freeze the cookies for up to 2 months for long-term storage.
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Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12–14 cookies 1x
Description
These Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies are soft, moist, and filled with a slightly sweet, slightly chocolatey flavor. Topped with a swirl of cream cheese frosting and red velvet crumbs, these cookies capture the essence of red velvet cake in cookie form. They are quick to make, with a simple process that yields irresistible results.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (70g)
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed (65g) – reduce to ¼ cup for less sweet cookies
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoon red gel food color
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour (163g)
- 2–3 tablespoon of natural cocoa powder (start with 2 and add more for a more chocolatey flavor)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (85g)
- 6 oz cream cheese, room temperature (170g)
- 1 cup icing sugar, sifted
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Whisk the butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vinegar, red food color, and vanilla. Whisk until fully combined.
- Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, then fold gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes, until firm enough to scoop.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide the dough into large balls (about ⅓ cup each), lightly flatten them, and place them on the prepared baking sheet with space between each cookie.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes, then allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting by whisking the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the icing sugar and vanilla, and mix until creamy.
- Once cooled, pipe the frosting onto the cookies in swirls, then decorate with crushed red velvet cookie crumbs.
Notes
- Gel food coloring is recommended for the best red color.
- For the best texture, weigh your ingredients, especially the flour.
- Chill the dough if it becomes too sticky for easier handling.
- Test bake one cookie to check your desired softness before baking the whole batch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
