If you're looking for a unique twist on a classic treat, these red velvet chocolate chip cookies are the perfect blend of rich cocoa and sweet, tangy cream cheese. The bright red color makes them a standout on any dessert table, and the soft, chewy texture combined with decadent chocolate chips will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are pantry staples, but you might need to make a trip to the grocery store for the unsweetened natural cocoa powder and the gel red food coloring. These give the cookies their distinctive taste and color. If you prefer a natural alternative, beetroot powder can work as a food coloring substitute.
Ingredients for Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
All purpose flour: This is the base of the cookie dough, providing structure.
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder: Gives the cookies a deep, rich chocolate flavor.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread.
Salt: Enhances flavors and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Adds moisture and creates a tender texture.
Light or dark brown sugar: Sweetens the cookies and adds a slight caramel flavor.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies.
Large egg: Binds the ingredients together.
Milk: Adds moisture to the dough.
Pure vanilla extract: Adds depth to the cookie's flavor.
Gel red food coloring: Gives the cookies their classic red velvet color.
Semisweet chocolate chips: Adds pockets of melted chocolate in each bite.
One reader, Krystalle Hines says:
These red velvet chocolate chip cookies are a game-changer! The rich cocoa flavor combined with the sweet chocolate chips is a match made in heaven. The cookies are soft, chewy, and the perfect treat for any occasion. I highly recommend trying this recipe - it's a crowd-pleaser!
Techniques Required for Making Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
How to prepare the dough: Combine the dry ingredients and mix with the wet ingredients until a soft dough is formed. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours before baking.
How to bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, line baking sheets with parchment paper, and scoop the dough into balls. Bake for 13 minutes, then allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How To Make Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
A classic baked goody, these red velvet cookies are baked with cocoa powder and studded with chocolate chips for a treat in every bite.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1½cupsall purpose flour,plus 1 tbsp, spoon & leveled
- ¼cupunsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 1tspbaking soda
- ¼tspsalt
- ½cupunsalted butter,softened to room temperature
- ¾cuplight or dark brown sugar,packed
- ¼cupgranulated sugar
- 1large egg,at room temperature
- 1tbspmilk
- 2tsppure vanilla extract
- ½tspgel red food coloring or alternative
- 1cupsemisweet chocolate chips,plus a few extra for after baking
Instructions
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Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
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Using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter at high speed for about 1 minute until creamy. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl as needed.
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Beat in the brown sugar and granulated sugar for about 1 minute until combined and creamy. Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
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Once mixed, add the food coloring and beat until combined. Turn the mixer off and pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
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Turn the mixer on low and slowly beat until a very soft dough is formed. Beat in more food coloring for a brighter red dough.
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At low speed, beat in the chocolate chips. The dough will be sticky.
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Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (and up to 3 days).
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If chilling for longer than a few hours, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before rolling and baking because the dough will be quite hard.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
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Scoop 1.5 tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Place 9 balls onto each baking sheet.
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Bake each batch for 13 minutes. The cookies may have only spread slightly, that’s ok. Simply press down on the warm cookies to slightly flatten, which helps form crinkles.
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If desired for looks, stick a few chocolate chips into the tops of the warm cookies.
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Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
- Calories: 171.52kcal
- Fat: 8.56g
- Saturated Fat: 5.16g
- Trans Fat: 0.21g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.46g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.39g
- Carbohydrates: 23.61g
- Fiber: 1.29g
- Sugar: 14.04g
- Protein: 2.15g
- Cholesterol: 23.97mg
- Sodium: 94.92mg
- Calcium: 15.29mg
- Potassium: 79.66mg
- Iron: 1.04mg
- Vitamin A: 47.96µg
Essential Technique Tip for Perfect Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
To ensure your red velvet chocolate chip cookies have a vibrant red color, opt for a gel-based food coloring. Gel food colorings are more concentrated and provide a more intense color without adding too much liquid to your dough. Remember, adding too much liquid can alter the texture of your cookies. Also, chilling the dough not only allows the flavors to meld together but also solidifies the fats. When the cookies are baked, the fat in the chilled cookie dough takes longer to melt than room-temperature fat. And the longer the fat remains solid, the less cookies spread. In addition, the water in the dough gradually evaporates, producing a concentrated and flavorful cookie.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prepare the dry ingredients: Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in advance to save time during the mixing process.
Chill the dough: Chill the dough for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days to allow the flavors to develop, making it easier to handle and shape.
Use a cookie scoop: Use a cookie scoop to quickly portion the dough and create uniform cookies for even baking.
Bake in batches: Bake the cookies in batches to ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding in the oven.
Cool on wire racks: Cool the cookies on wire racks to allow for faster cooling and prevent sogginess.
Substitute Ingredients For Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
all purpose flour - Substitute with gluten-free all purpose flour: This is a great alternative for those who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease. It provides a similar texture and structure to the cookies.
unsweetened natural cocoa powder - Substitute with Dutch-processed cocoa powder: Dutch-processed cocoa powder has a smoother, more mellow flavor compared to natural cocoa powder, and it will work well in this recipe.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter, and it adds a subtle coconut flavor to the cookies.
light or dark brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a similar flavor profile to brown sugar and can be used as a 1:1 replacement. It also has a lower glycemic index.
granulated sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the cookies and can be used as a liquid sweetener in place of granulated sugar.
large egg - Substitute with flax egg: To make a flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes until it becomes gel-like. This is a vegan-friendly alternative to eggs.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a suitable dairy-free alternative that adds a subtle nutty flavor to the cookies.
gel red food coloring - Substitute with beet powder: Beet powder provides a natural red color and is a healthier alternative to artificial food coloring.
semisweet chocolate chips - Substitute with dairy-free chocolate chips: For a dairy-free option, use chocolate chips made with dairy-free ingredients such as coconut milk or almond milk.
Best Way to Present These Delightful Cookies
- Elevate the cookie: Place the cookie on a pristine white plate, ensuring it is the focal point of the presentation.
- Garnish with powdered sugar: Lightly dust the plate with powdered sugar to add a touch of elegance and contrast to the rich red color of the cookie.
- Add a touch of sophistication with a chocolate drizzle: Using a fine-tipped piping bag, delicately drizzle a rich, dark chocolate sauce in an artistic pattern around the cookie.
- Incorporate fresh berries: Arrange a few fresh raspberries or strawberries around the cookie to add a pop of color and a refreshing element to the presentation.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream: Place a small quenelle of freshly whipped cream on the side of the cookie to provide a creamy and luxurious accompaniment.
Essential Tools for Making Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Whisk: A kitchen tool used for blending and mixing ingredients together, often used for incorporating dry ingredients or beating eggs.
- Handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment: A versatile tool for mixing, beating, and creaming ingredients, essential for achieving the right consistency in the cookie dough.
- Large bowl: Used for mixing and combining dry ingredients, providing ample space for thorough mixing.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Essential for lining baking sheets to prevent cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
- Wire rack: Used for cooling baked cookies, allowing air to circulate around the cookies and preventing them from becoming soggy.
How To Store and Freeze Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing. They can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- To keep the cookies soft, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies. The bread will absorb excess moisture and prevent the cookies from becoming too soft or soggy.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to 3 months:
- Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.
- Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- To thaw, remove the desired number of cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
- Alternatively, you can freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months:
- Roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Freeze the dough balls until solid, about 1-2 hours.
- Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag.
- When ready to bake, remove the desired number of dough balls from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed in the recipe.
How To Reheat Leftover Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
To reheat leftover red velvet chocolate chip cookies, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 3-5 minutes, or until the cookies are warm and slightly crisp around the edges. This method will restore the cookies' texture and bring out the rich, chocolatey flavor of the cocoa powder and chocolate chips.
For a quicker option, you can use the microwave to reheat your red velvet cookies. Place a cookie on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in 10-second intervals until it reaches your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat the cookie, as it may become too soft or lose its texture. Microwaving works best for a quick fix, but the oven method will yield better results.
If you want to enjoy your leftover red velvet chocolate chip cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, try warming them up in a skillet. Melt a small amount of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the cookies in the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until they are warm and slightly crispy. Serve the warm cookies with a scoop of ice cream for a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
For a more indulgent treat, create a red velvet cookie sundae. Crumble a few leftover cookies into a bowl, then top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and a dollop of whipped cream. The combination of the warm, crumbly cookies and the cool, creamy ice cream will create a delightful dessert experience.
Random Fact About Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
The red velvet chocolate chip cookies recipe is a delightful twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie. These cookies are not only visually appealing with their vibrant red color, but they also offer a unique flavor profile with a hint of cocoa and the sweetness of chocolate chips. These cookies are perfect for special occasions, such as birthdays or holidays, and are sure to impress anyone with a sweet tooth. Plus, the addition of gel red food coloring gives these cookies their signature red hue, making them a standout treat at any gathering.
Is Making Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies at Home Economical?
The cost-effectiveness of this red velvet chocolate chip cookies recipe is quite high. The ingredients are commonly found in households, and the recipe yields a decent batch of cookies. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10, making it an affordable treat. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 9 out of 10, as it combines the classic flavors of red velvet with the indulgence of chocolate chips, creating a delightful and cost-effective dessert option.
Are Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies Healthy or Unhealthy?
The red velvet chocolate chip cookie recipe, while delicious, is not particularly healthy. Here's why:
- The recipe contains a significant amount of butter and sugar, which are high in calories and can contribute to weight gain and other health issues if consumed in excess.
- The use of all-purpose flour means the cookies are made with refined carbohydrates, which have been stripped of their fiber and nutrients.
- The recipe calls for a considerable amount of chocolate chips, which are high in sugar and fat.
However, there are some redeeming qualities:
- The recipe does include cocoa powder, which is a source of antioxidants and has been linked to potential health benefits like improved heart health and cognitive function.
- The serving size is relatively small (1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie), which can help with portion control.
To make this recipe healthier, you could try the following modifications:
- Replace some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or oat flour to increase the fiber content and nutritional value.
- Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe, or experiment with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or coconut sugar.
- Use dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet, as dark chocolate typically contains less sugar and more antioxidants.
- Replace some of the butter with a healthier fat source, such as coconut oil or mashed avocado.
- Add in some healthy mix-ins like chopped nuts or dried fruit to boost the nutrient content and provide some additional texture and flavor.
Editor's Thoughts on This Delectable Cookie Recipe
As a culinary expert, I find this red velvet chocolate chip cookies recipe to be a delightful twist on a classic treat. The combination of rich cocoa, vibrant red color, and indulgent chocolate chips creates a visually stunning and delicious cookie. The incorporation of gel food coloring allows for a beautifully vibrant hue, while the addition of brown sugar adds depth of flavor. The chilling of the dough ensures a perfect texture, and the final touch of pressing down on the warm cookies creates a delightful crinkle effect. Overall, this recipe promises a delightful and visually appealing treat that is sure to impress.
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Why trust this Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe:
This recipe guarantees a perfect balance of red velvet and chocolate chip flavors, creating a delightful treat for any occasion. The use of high-quality cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate chips ensures rich and indulgent taste. With precise instructions and careful attention to detail, these cookies are bound to impress. Trust in the expertise of a seasoned chef to deliver a recipe that promises a delectable outcome every time.
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