Description
Red Velvet Snowballs are charming, soft cookies with a rich red hue and a subtle hint of cocoa, coated in a sweet layer of powdered sugar. Perfect for festive occasions or cozy afternoons, these treats combine classic red velvet flavors with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that delights every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
Coating
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined to ensure uniform distribution of the leavening and cocoa.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together with a mixer or by hand until the mixture is creamy and light in texture, which helps create tender cookies.
- Add Wet Flavorings: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring into the butter-sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are fully blended and the dough has a vibrant red color.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix which can toughen the cookies.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them between your palms to form smooth balls. This helps the cookies bake evenly and develop their signature shape.
- Bake: Arrange the dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are set but still soft to the touch.
- Coat Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and while they are still warm, gently roll each one in the powdered sugar until completely coated, giving them a snowy appearance.
- Cool: Place the coated cookies on a wire rack and let them cool completely before serving or storing, which allows the coating to set and the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Ensure butter is properly softened for better mixing and texture.
- Red food coloring intensity can be adjusted to achieve the desired color vibrancy.
- Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while warm helps the coating adhere better.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: red velvet cookies, red velvet snowballs, holiday cookies, powdered sugar cookies, soft cocoa cookies, festive treats
