Red Velvet Cookies

Cookies are an easy way to improve any day. Bad day? How about a cookie?

After a long day at the office, a nice long walk and a bake-a-thon at home bring me back down to earth. Chocolate chip cookies are one of my all-time top picks, but I had white chocolate chips. Which led me down a redder path.

Red velvet is a classic, eye-catching cake. It always makes me think of southern cafes, and is the kind of chocolate cake that makes standing in the kitchen worth every minute. I think the sight of red velvet cake brings comfort, and sets a fair level of chocolate expectation.

I've dabbled in red velvet, with Red Velvet Cheesecake and Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies (personal favorite!), and this seemed right up my alley. Of course, it's only now that I've started typing this post that I realized I've yet to actually make the cake itself, but we'll save that for a different post.

The cookie dough is similar to most; I beat the butter and sugar together, added in vanilla and almond extract and eggs, then gradually add the flour and other dry ingredients in. And of course, the white chocolate chips.

Perfect red velvet cookies in less than 20 minutes. Why do people bake from boxes again?

Red, crumbly goodness was found. These little red cookies set the right expectations for chocolate goodness. The kind of cookie I was proud to bring to work and share with my colleagues. I got good feedback, which unlike the chocolate one is not an expectation I have. It's a delight every time someone tells me they like what I've made, and one I'll never take for granted.

I'll keep this recipe close by for the next easy to spot cookie at a potluck. Southern charm, it's good to have you on my side.

Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 package white chocolate chips (1 2/3 cups)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat butter and sugar together for 2-3 minutes in a stand mixing bowl, until creamy. Stir in vanilla, then add eggs, one at a time. Gradually add dry ingredients, stirring slowly. Add food coloring. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake for 8-10 minutes.