Description

Indulge in the ultimate treat with these Cream Cheese Filled Red Velvet Cookies. A perfect blend of soft, chewy red velvet dough wrapped around a luscious cream cheese filling, these cookies are a crowd-pleasing delight. The red velvet flavor is subtly chocolaty with a tangy twist, and the cream cheese center adds a rich, smooth texture that balances perfectly with the slightly sweet outer dough. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving something delicious, these cookies are sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookie Dough:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring (liquid or gel)
2 tablespoons buttermilk
1 tablespoon white vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

In a medium-sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Place the cream cheese mixture in the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle when filling the dough.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Beat until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
Add the red food coloring, buttermilk, and vinegar to the mixture and stir until smooth.
Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The dough should be slightly sticky.

Step 3: Assemble the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Press a small spoonful of the chilled cream cheese filling into the center of the dough ball. Carefully wrap the dough around the cream cheese, ensuring it’s completely sealed.
Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Once completely cooled, serve these delicious cookies as a delightful treat for family and friends. Enjoy the soft, chewy texture with the rich cream cheese center.

Notes

Chill the Dough: If the dough is too sticky to handle, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before rolling it into balls. This makes the process much easier and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Freezing the Cream Cheese Filling: The cream cheese filling should be chilled before being stuffed into the dough. This prevents it from melting out while baking and ensures the cookies maintain a soft, gooey center.
Adjusting Red Color: If you prefer a deeper red color for your cookies, you can add more red food coloring. However, be cautious when using gel food coloring as it can be more concentrated than liquid coloring.
Storage: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. Simply thaw at room temperature before serving.
Add-ins: For extra texture, you can add white chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the dough. These are great options if you want to experiment with different flavors in the cookies.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 210 kcal
Sugar: 17g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg