Hey there, bakers! Today we will dive into the delicious world of Red Velvet Sugar Cookies. These cookies are soft, tender, and filled with a hint of cocoa and cream cheese, making them a favorite among many. Whether preparing for a party, celebrating Valentine's Day, or simply looking for a sweet treat, these cookies won't disappoint!
How to Make Red Velvet Sugar Cookies
First off, let's start with the ingredients. We'll need butter, cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, food coloring, flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt. Now, let's get down to business.
1. Start by beating the butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until smooth. Remember, you don't need to spend too much time creaming and whipping air in. As soon as everything looks smooth, move on to the next step.
2. Add the egg yolk, vanilla, and food coloring and mix that in until just combined.
3. mix in the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt. Ensure you're using cornstarch, not cornmeal. Cornstarch is a fine powder that helps to keep your cookies soft and tender.
4. Mix the dry ingredients in just until barely combined, then roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment. Roll out to a thickness of 3/16-inch. You can ensure your cookies are the right thickness by using rolling pin rings.
5. Bake the cookies according to your oven's instructions. Smaller cookies will bake faster, whereas larger cookies will need a bit more time. Your cookies are done when they feel firm and set around the edges but are still a bit soft toward the center.
Remember, these cookies can totally be made ahead! Kept in an airtight container, they’ll stay soft and fresh for days. They can also be frozen. They’ll keep in the freezer (tightly wrapped) for at least a month or two.
How to Decorate Red Velvet Cookies
Now, let's talk about decoration. There are so many ways to spruce up these cookies. For instance, you can use royal icing, tinted with soft pastel colors, to create a conversation heart look. You could also use rubber stamps to imprint cute messages on them. Alternatively, you could dust them with powdered sugar or dip them in melted white chocolate.
Whatever your preference, there's a decorating method that's perfect for you. So go ahead, get creative, and enjoy the process!
And that's it! With these steps, you should be able to make your own delicious Red Velvet Sugar Cookies. Happy baking, and enjoy the process of creating these delightful treats!