These Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with rich chocolate flavor. Topped with a creamy frosting, they’re like a cupcake and cookie all in one!
Trust me, once you take a bite, you’ll be in love! I can’t resist making these for special occasions—or just because I want a sweet treat. They are so fun to share with friends!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is your go-to for cookies, but if you’re gluten-free, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for similar results.
Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder adds that rich chocolate flavor. If you don’t have it, you can use Dutch-processed cocoa, but reduce the baking soda slightly due to its alkalinity.
Unsalted Butter: I love using unsalted butter for better control over salt levels. You can substitute with margarine, but it may change the texture a bit.
Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, mixing regular milk with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice works great. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before using.
Red Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is more concentrated and won’t alter the consistency of your dough. If you prefer natural colors, beet powder is a good alternative, but it will affect the color and taste slightly.
Cream Cheese: The frosting relies on cream cheese for that signature tang. You can use mascarpone cheese for a milder flavor, but it won’t have the same creaminess.
How Do I Keep My Cookies Soft and Chewy?
To make sure your Crumbl Red Velvet Cookies stay soft and chewy, here are a few tips:
- Don’t overbake! Pull them from the oven when the edges are set but the centers look a bit underdone.
- Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them firm up a bit while still being soft inside.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread helps retain moisture.
Following these tips makes a big difference, and you’ll have cookies that people will rave about! Enjoy baking!
Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Red Velvet Cookies:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk (or milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Garnish:
- Rainbow sprinkles
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cookie recipe takes about 15 minutes for preparation and 10-12 minutes for baking, plus additional cooling time. Allow about 30 minutes total for frosting and garnishing. In total, you should set aside roughly 1 hour.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This helps ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and cocoa in your cookies. Set this mixture aside for now.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Mix on medium-high speed until the mixture is creamy and light, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Flavorings:
Next, add the egg, egg yolk, buttermilk, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar to the butter mixture. Continue to beat on medium speed until everything is thoroughly combined and smooth.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture. Start mixing on low speed until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
6. Shape Cookies:
Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, portion out dough balls about 2 tablespoons each. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie, as they will spread a bit while baking.
7. Bake Cookies:
Pop the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should have set edges but still be soft in the center. Remember, they’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem underbaked!
8. Cool:
After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them retain their soft texture.
9. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until you achieve your desired consistency. Finally, mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
10. Frost the Cookies:
Once the cookies are completely cool, you can pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting on top of each cookie in a beautiful swirled pattern. Let your creative side show!
11. Add Sprinkles:
To finish off, sprinkle some rainbow sprinkles on top of the frosting for a fun and festive touch!
12. Serve and Enjoy:
These cookies taste best slightly chilled or at room temperature. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator—if there are any left!
Enjoy your soft, moist, and decadent Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies! They’re perfect for any occasion!
Can I Use A Different Type of Flour?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour if you need a gluten-free option. Just make sure to use a blend that contains xanthan gum for better texture!
How Can I Make These Cookies Less Sweet?
If you find the cookies too sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the cookie dough by 1/4 cup. Just keep in mind that this may affect the texture slightly.
What Should I Do If My Cream Cheese Frosting Is Too Runny?
If your frosting is too runny, try adding more powdered sugar, a little at a time, until you achieve your desired thickness. Additionally, refrigerating the frosting for about 15-30 minutes can help it firm up.
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To maintain softness, you can place a slice of bread in the container to help retain moisture!