If you’re looking for a stunning and delicious treat to celebrate Valentine’s Day, these Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect choice! They combine the rich, velvety flavor of red velvet with the smooth and tangy taste of cream cheese frosting, making them an irresistible delight. With their eye-catching color and charming heart-shaped sprinkles, these cookie cups are sure to impress at any gathering or romantic occasion. Best of all, they’re easy to make and can even be customized with different fillings like Nutella or strawberry jam!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Cups:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon red food coloring
1/3 cup buttermilk
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Making the Cookie Cups:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or line it with paper liners.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add wet ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until fully incorporated.
Combine with dry ingredients: Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fill and bake: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of dough into each mini muffin cup. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set.
Create the cookie cup shape: Immediately after baking, press the center of each cookie cup with the back of a spoon or a small measuring cup to form an indent.
Cool: Let the cookie cups cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
Mix in the vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
Transfer the frosting to a piping bag and pipe a swirl into each cooled cookie cup.
Decorate with heart-shaped sprinkles or any festive toppings of your choice.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 24 mini cookie cups
Baking Pro Tips
Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures a smooth and well-mixed dough and frosting.
Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to dense cookie cups instead of a soft, tender texture.
Create uniform indents: Use a rounded measuring spoon to press down evenly in the center while the cookie cups are still warm.
Chill the frosting: If your frosting is too soft, place it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before piping.
Experiment with fillings: Instead of frosting, try Nutella, strawberry jam, or even peanut butter for a fun twist!
These Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Frosting are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Their vibrant red hue, combined with the luscious cream cheese frosting, makes them perfect for sharing love and joy on special occasions. Whether you’re baking for a Valentine’s Day party, a romantic evening, or just to treat yourself, these delightful cookie cups will be a guaranteed hit!