Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a red velvet treat with a little extra magic, this Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe is where the fun begins! Imagine soft, chocolate-tinged red velvet cookies hugging a creamy, dreamy frosting center—it’s basically a handheld celebration. I’ve made these so many times, and every batch brings out that perfect balance of rich cocoa flavor and sweet tangy frosting that I just can’t get enough of. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll want to make them for every occasion (and probably some no-occasion days too!).

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Getting the ingredients right is key to nailing this Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe. Each component plays its part, from the cocoa adding depth to the texture softened by butter. Here’s what I use and why I keep these in my pantry for this cookie obsession.

• Unsalted Butter: Using room temperature butter ensures your dough mixes up silky and helps with that tender crumb you want.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a touch of caramel flavor to keep cookies chewy.
• Granulated Sugar: Gives the right level of sweetness and a bit of crispness on the edges.
• Egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness to the cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor, making everything taste homemade and cozy.
• Red Velvet Bakery Emulsion or Red Gel Food Color: This is where you get that vibrant red that pops—plus some signature red velvet taste.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just right, creating a nice texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights the chocolate notes.
• Cocoa Powder: Brings the gentle chocolate flavor that defines red velvet.
• All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure but keeps the cookies soft.
• Milk Chocolate Chips: Adds melty pockets of chocolate that I can’t resist—and I recommend saving some to press on top for that extra chocolate hit.
• Cream Cheese: Essential for that classic tangy frosting, and it makes the filling feel rich and luscious.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting to creamy perfection.
• Milk: Helps adjust the frosting to a perfect piping consistency.

Tweak to Your Taste

This Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe is a blank canvas for your creativity—over the years, I’ve played around with flavors and textures to make it feel like my own, and I totally encourage you to do the same.

• Double Chocolate: Once, I swapped milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate — the bitterness with the sweetness of frosting was heavenly. You can try mini chocolate chips for more frequent chocolate surprises.
• Less Sweet Frosting: If you prefer something less sugary, reduce powdered sugar by half and add a pinch of salt to balance it out.
• Colored Frosting: I’ve tinted my cream cheese frosting with a touch of red gel for a dramatic, festive look—great for holiday cookie trays.
• Nutty Touch: For a bit of crunch, sprinkle finely chopped pecans or walnuts on the frosting before sandwiching the cookies.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming Butter and Sugars to Fluffy Perfection

Start by beating your room temperature butter with both sugars on medium speed for about two minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This is where the magic begins—it traps air that makes your cookies tender and airy, so don’t rush this! I sometimes pause to scrape down the sides to make sure everything gets whipped up evenly.

Step 2: Adding the Flavors

Next, beat in the egg, vanilla, and your red velvet emulsion or gel food coloring. The emulsion gives you that real-deal red velvet flavor, while the color brightens the dough up beautifully. Mix just until combined—overmixing can make cookies tough.

Step 3: Mixing the Dry Ingredients Gently

Add baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and flour, mixing on low speed to combine without overworking the dough. Then crank the mixer to high for 20 seconds to bring the dough together into a ball. This short burst helps form the perfect consistency that’s easy to scoop but still holds shape during baking.

Step 4: Incorporate Chocolate Chips

Stir in 1 cup of milk chocolate chips by hand or on low mixer speed. Hold back a few chips to press on top of each cookie dough ball before baking—this extra touch creates enticing chocolatey spots on top that everyone admires.

Step 5: Scooping and Baking

Use a medium cookie scoop and portion out the dough, spacing about six cookies on your parchment-lined baking sheet to give them room to spread without merging. Press a few saved chocolate chips onto the tops for a gourmet look. Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes. When you pull them out, they’ll still look a little soft—that’s perfect. Let them cool 10-15 minutes on the baking sheet to finish cooking gently, then transfer to a rack until fully cooled before frosting.

Step 6: Whipping Up Creamy Frosting

While the cookies cool, whip together cream cheese and butter until fluffy—about 2 minutes on medium speed. Then add vanilla, powdered sugar, and milk, mixing until smooth and fluffy. A high-speed beat for another 2 minutes makes the frosting light and spreadable. Use a piping bag fitted with a 1M or star tip to pipe swirls on your cookie bottoms—it’s fun and makes them look extra special.

Step 7: Sandwich and Squeeze Gently

Top your swirled frosting with another cookie, pressing just enough to spread the frosting slightly but not so much you ruin the shape. Enjoy the moment—this is where your labor turns into a delicious bite!

How to Serve Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a few extra chocolate chips on top or a light dusting of powdered sugar for that elegant touch. Sometimes I add a few sprinkles or edible glitter when making these for celebrations—it’s a quick way to make them festive without overpowering the taste.

Side Dishes

As much as these cookies stand out on their own, I love pairing them with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of creamy hot chocolate for the ultimate indulgence. They’re also a hit alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to transform them into a dessert sandwich.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging them in a layered cookie tower or wrapping each sandwich cookie individually with pretty ribbon and a thank-you tag. Another fun idea I tried is dipping one side in melted chocolate and sprinkling chopped nuts or colored sugar while wet—adds a fancy flair with minimal effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover sandwich cookies in an airtight container in the fridge to preserve the cream cheese frosting. They stay fresh and just as delicious for up to 5 days, which is perfect because they rarely last that long at my house! Before serving, I let them sit out for 10 minutes to soften slightly.

Freezing

These cookies freeze amazingly well. I place them on a tray first so they don’t stick together, freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw them overnight in the fridge with the container closed to keep the frosting intact.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat sandwich cookies, but if you want a warm bite, I pop an individual cookie in the microwave for about 8-10 seconds. This warms the cookie just enough without melting the frosting too much. If your frosting softens too much, chill again briefly before eating.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe really holds a special place in my kitchen routine—it’s my go-to when I want to impress guests or just treat myself to something extraordinary. The combination of tender cookies and luscious cream cheese frosting is pure joy, and I love that it’s straightforward enough to make anytime. I hope you enjoy baking these as much as I do and create your own sweet memories with them. So grab your mixer, roll up your sleeves, and bake these delightful cookies like you’re sharing a warm hug with every bite!

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