Red Velvet Kisses Cookies let you embrace your inner baker and whip up some delightful red velvet cookies with white chocolate kisses.
These heavenly treats, with their vibrant red hue and melt-in-your-mouth white chocolate kisses, are a joy to create and a pleasure to eat. The smooth sweetness of the white chocolate is a perfect complement to the rich, decadent taste of the red velvet. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this is a recipe that’s sure to impress!
So roll up your sleeves, put on your apron and let’s fill the kitchen with the irresistible aroma of baking cookies. Happy baking!
Key Takeaways:
- Red Velvet Meets White Chocolate: These cookies combine the rich flavor of red velvet with sweet, creamy white chocolate kisses for a melt-in-your-mouth bite.
- Beginner-Friendly Recipe: Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, the simple steps and easy-to-follow instructions make this a rewarding bake.
- Plant-Based Dye Option: For those avoiding artificial food coloring, red radish or dragon fruit powder are great plant-based alternatives.
- A Healthier Twist: The recipe uses light brown sugar and free-range eggs to make a slightly more nutritious version of the classic cookie.
- Perfect for Gifting or Sharing: With their festive look and rich taste, these cookies are great for holidays, parties, or thoughtful treats.
- Freezer-Friendly: Make ahead and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months—perfect for planning ahead.
Overview:
Get ready to fall in love—bite after bite! These Red Velvet Kisses Cookies are a bakery-style treat you can easily make at home. With their rich cocoa flavor, deep red color, and that dreamy white chocolate kiss in the center, they’re a picture-perfect combo of indulgence and charm. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a special occasion, or just a cozy afternoon snack, these cookies are guaranteed to impress both visually and taste-wise.
This recipe is simple enough for beginner bakers but yields professional-looking results. Plus, with optional plant-based coloring tips and wholesome ingredient swaps like brown sugar and free-range eggs, you can feel a bit better about treating yourself. From mixing to baking to that final chocolatey kiss on top, every step is a joy—and the aroma? Simply irresistible.
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SIS Tip - Simple is Smart Tip for Red Velvet Cookies
If you have a food dye sensitivity or you don’t want to use food dye’s in your baked goodies there are a number of plant based dyes that can be used in cookies. For this recipe instead of the red liquid gel use a plant powder dye like this red radish powder. The color may not be quite as vibrant.
NeuroNutrition Nugget:
You might be wondering how red velvet cookies can have anything in them that is good for your brain. I’ve also adapted them a bit to make them healthier. I use brown sugar instead of white sugar and the eggs are free range eggs from my neighbor around the corner from me.
I believe in moderation. If we choose to eat a diet that is rich in healthy food choices having less healthy items occasionally or rarely is ok. The typical American diet is loaded with unhealthy choices and contributes to numerous health problems as we age. So indulge and enjoy today’s recipe of red velvet cookies.
Ingredients for Red Velvet Cookies
- Butter: Use either salted or unsalted butter. If you use salted decrease the salt by 1/4 of a teaspoon.
- Light Brown Sugar: Makes a moister slightly healthier cookie than white sugar.
- Eggs: Use large eggs. Eggs help the cookies puff up an spread.
- Vanilla: I like vanilla but you could also use almond flavoring.
- Red Food Coloring: I used Red Gel Food Coloring
- All-purpose White Flour
- Salt: I use sea salt.
- Baking Powder helps the cookie rise.
- Baking Soda: leavening agent.
- Cocoa Powder: use bakers unsweetened baking cocoa.
- White Chocolate Kisses I used Sugar cookie Kisses from Hershey’s.
- Confectioners sugar also known as powdered sugar
- Non Melting Sugar is specifically designed to not melt with heat and humidity.
Step by Step instructions for Red Velvet Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the flour. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and light brown sugar together. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, vanilla, food coloring and beat until well combined.
- I used a gel food coloring instead of a liquid. If you don’t want to use red food dye, use a plant-based dye like red dragon fruit powder, If the coloring is a powder, it will dissolve in the batter; it just takes a little longer to mix it in.
- Add the flour mixture and beat until combined.
- Use a small cookie scoop, about 1 tbsp or 1 ½ tbsp scoop. Scoop the dough into balls and roll the balls first in confectioners sugar and then in non-melting sugar. If you don’t have non-melting sugar, use the confectioner’s sugar.
- Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly to form a disc about ½inch thick.
- Bake at 350℉ for 8 minutes.
- Add a white chocolate kiss to each cookie as soon as they come out of the oven. Unwrap the kisses prior to making the cookies so they are all ready as soon as the cookies come out of the oven.
- Let the cookies cool completely, and the chocolate kisses reharden before placing them in an airtight container for storage.
- Store room temp for 3-4 days.
- Freeze cookies for up to 2 months in an airtight container.
If you love red velvet treats you might like these Red Velvet Brownies. These Peanut Butter Cluster Brownies and Stardust Cookies will also satisfy your chocolate cravings.
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FAQ:
Q: Can I make these cookies without using red food coloring?
A: Yes! You can use natural alternatives like red radish powder or dragon fruit powder. The color may be less vibrant but still beautiful.
Q: What type of chocolate kisses work best?
A: Sugar Cookie Kisses by Hershey’s were used in the original recipe, but any white chocolate kiss will work well.
Q: How long do these cookies stay fresh?
A: They stay fresh at room temperature for 3–4 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Q: Can I substitute white sugar for brown sugar?
A: Yes, but light brown sugar adds moisture and a richer flavor. It’s a slightly healthier option too.
Q: What if I don’t have non-melting sugar?
A: No problem—just use confectioners (powdered) sugar for rolling the dough before baking.
Q: Are these cookies good for kids to help make?
A: Absolutely! Kids can help roll the dough and press in the chocolate kisses—just be sure an adult handles the hot tray.
Red Velvet Kisses Cookies
Equipment
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- To see the ingredient amounts in metric units, click the "METRIC:" button between the ingredients and the instructions for this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp red gel food coloring
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup baking cocoa (unsweetened)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 cup non-melting sugar
- 9 oz Hershey's Sugar Cookie Kisses
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉
- Add the cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the flour. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and light brown sugar together. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, vanilla, food coloring and beat until well combined. (see notes)
- Add the flour mixture and beat until combined.
- Use a small cookie scoop, about 1 tbsp or 1 ½ tbsp scoop. Scoop the dough into balls and roll the balls first in confectioners sugar and then in non-melting sugar. If you don't have non-melting sugar, use the confectioner's sugar.
- Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly to form a disc about ½inch thick.
- Bake at 350℉ for 8 minutes.
- Add a white chocolate kiss to each cookie as soon as they come out of the oven.
- Let the cookies cool completely, and the chocolate reharden before placing them in an airtight container for storage.
- Store room temp for 3-4 days.
- Freeze cookies for up to 2 months in an airtight container.
great recipe. thank you
I’m making these. thanks
Enjoy, they are a big hit with my grandkids.
Lovely idea. I will make it for Valentine.
Love the comment let me know how it comes out.
There is so much significant health info on your blog.
Thank you and here’s to a healthy 2024.
Looks so yummy! I will definitely make this one this Valentine’s day for my kids
Happy Valentines day, This is a great cookie to celebrate the day.
I will do this at home, I love the process, very easy to follow. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Thank you for your comment and rating.
Awesome and enjoy them.