Are you a fan of Crumbl's famous red velvet cupcake cookies? These soft, rich, and decadent cookies are a perfect combination of red velvet flavor and creamy frosting. The best part is, you can make them at home with this easy recipe! Follow along to create these delicious treats that are sure to impress your family and friends.
What are Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies?
Red velvet cupcake cookies are soft, cake-like cookies with the distinctive flavor and color of red velvet cake. They're topped with a generous layer of cream cheese frosting, making them taste just like a red velvet cupcake in cookie form. These cookies are typically large, thick, and incredibly moist, offering a perfect blend of chocolate and vanilla flavors with a hint of tanginess from the cream cheese.
Ingredients List for Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies
To make these delicious red velvet cupcake cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ cup buttermilk
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Substitutions and Variations
You can customize this recipe to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Vegan: Use vegan butter and cream cheese substitutes, and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water).
- Less Food Coloring: If you prefer a more natural approach, use beet powder or reduce the amount of red food coloring.
- Different Frosting: Try a chocolate cream cheese frosting for a different flavor twist.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to make your red velvet cupcake cookies:
For the Cookies:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg, Vanilla, and Food Coloring: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk and vinegar, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until well combined and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on top of each cookie.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbaking: Be sure to remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Overmixing the Dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
- Using Cold Ingredients: Ensure the butter and cream cheese are properly softened to achieve a smooth and creamy frosting.
- Skipping the Cooling Process: Allow the cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Serving and Presentation Tips
How to Serve Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies:
- Temperature: Serve the cookies at room temperature for the best texture and flavor.
- Pairing: Enjoy these cookies with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or a hot cup of tea.
Presentation Ideas for Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies:
- Decorative Plate: Arrange the cookies on a decorative plate or a tiered cookie stand for an elegant presentation.
- Holiday Decor: Add festive sprinkles or edible glitter to the frosting for a holiday-themed presentation.
- Gift Packaging: Package the cookies in a decorative tin or a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon for a beautiful homemade gift.
Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies Recipe Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients, especially butter and cream cheese, are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Measuring Flour: Measure the flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife to avoid dense cookies.
- Chilling the Dough: If the dough is too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before baking.
- Storing the Cookies: Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I freeze red velvet cupcake cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the cookies. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
How long do red velvet cupcake cookies last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these cookies can last up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before baking.
Can I use a different type of frosting?
Absolutely! While cream cheese frosting is traditional, you can use buttercream frosting, chocolate frosting, or even a simple glaze.
What can I use instead of buttermilk?
If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to ½ cup of milk. Let it sit for a few minutes before using.
Conclusion
Making red velvet cupcake cookies is a delightful and easy way to enjoy the rich flavors of red velvet cake in cookie form. With their soft, cake-like texture and creamy cream cheese frosting, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Follow the step-by-step instructions and tips provided to create these delicious treats, and enjoy baking and sharing this delightful dessert with your loved ones. Happy baking!
PrintEasy Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies Recipe
Enjoy these easy Crumbl-inspired red velvet cupcake cookies with a soft, chewy texture and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any celebration or sweet treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ cup buttermilk
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Add the white vinegar and buttermilk, mixing until the dough is smooth.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until fully incorporated.
- Mix in the vanilla extract until smooth.
- Frost the Cookies:
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting on top of each cookie.
Notes
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for a smooth frosting.
- Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 120mg
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