Red Velvet Snowballs Recipe

Introduction

Red Velvet Snowballs are soft, cocoa-infused cookies with a vibrant red hue, coated in sweet powdered sugar. These delightful treats are perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a festive, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until creamy and smooth.
4. Step 4: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to the butter mixture and mix thoroughly.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
6. Step 6: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball.
7. Step 7: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
8. Step 8: Bake for 10-12 minutes until set but not overly firm.
9. Step 9: While still warm, gently roll each cookie in the powdered sugar to coat.
10. Step 10: Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving to let the coating set.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red without altering the dough texture.
• For a richer flavor, substitute half the butter with cream cheese softened to room temperature.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder to the dry ingredients to deepen the chocolate flavor.
• If you prefer, roll the cookies twice in powdered sugar for an extra snowy appearance.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving. Re-coat with powdered sugar if needed after thawing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute the red food coloring?

Yes, you can use natural food coloring alternatives like beet juice or skip the coloring altogether for a chocolate snowball variation. Just note the final cookie won’t have the classic red velvet hue.

Why should I roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they are warm?

Coating the cookies while warm helps the powdered sugar stick properly, creating the signature snowy coating that adds both sweetness and visual appeal.

Red Velvet Snowballs Recipe

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4.4 from 60 reviews

Red Velvet Snowballs are soft, moist cookies combining the rich flavors of cocoa and vanilla with a striking red hue. Coated in powdered sugar while warm, these delightful treats offer a tender crumb and a beautiful snowy finish, perfect for holidays and special occasions.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate larger bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and creamy, ensuring a smooth texture for the cookie dough.
4. Add Egg and Flavorings: Incorporate the large egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring into the butter and sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly until the color is uniform and the ingredients are well combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, making sure not to overmix, to maintain a tender cookie texture.
6. Form Cookie Dough Balls: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them gently into balls to prepare for baking.
7. Bake the Cookies: Place the dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are set but still soft to the touch.
8. Coat Cookies with Powdered Sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly, just enough to handle without breaking. While still warm, roll the cookies in the powdered sugar until fully coated, giving them a beautiful snowball appearance.
9. Cool Completely: Transfer the coated cookies onto a wire rack to cool completely. This step allows the powdered sugar to set and the cookies to firm up slightly before serving.

Notes

• Ensure the butter is fully softened to help it blend well with the sugar and create a smooth dough.
• Do not overbake to keep the cookies soft and moist inside.
• Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while warm creates the signature ‘snowball’ effect.
• Use gel-based red food coloring for a more vibrant and less watery dough.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Red Velvet Snowballs, red velvet cookies, powdered sugar cookies, holiday cookies, soft cookies