If you love the rich, velvety taste of classic red velvet but want a quicker, fuss-free treat, this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs. Imagine soft, chewy cookies bursting with that signature red velvet flavor and a subtle tang from cream cheese that makes every bite an irresistible delight. These cookies come together in under 20 minutes, making them perfect for a last-minute dessert or an anytime sweet craving that hits out of nowhere. Trust me, once you try this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe, you’ll want to keep it on your regular rotation!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays an essential role, from giving the cookies their vibrant color and signature flavor to creating that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture you’ll adore. Keep these on hand, and you’re just minutes away from cookie heaven.
- 15.25 ounce (1) box red velvet cake mix: This is your base for flavor, color, and overall cookie dough – no need to add extra cocoa or red food coloring!
- 2 large eggs: These help bind your ingredients together and add richness to the dough.
- ½ cup whipped cream cheese spread: A softer, lighter twist on traditional cream cheese, this adds signature tang and keeps cookies wonderfully moist.
- ½ cup powdered sugar: Used to roll the dough balls, it creates a delicate, sweet coating that balances the richness inside.
How to Make Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two half-sheet baking pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Getting this ready upfront means you can move smoothly through the next steps without rushing.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine your red velvet cake mix, eggs, and whipped cream cheese spread. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat everything together for about 1 to 2 minutes until you have a soft, sticky dough forming. The cream cheese gives this dough a lovely richness and super soft texture you won’t find in regular cake mix cookies.
Step 3: Prep the Powdered Sugar Coating
Pour your powdered sugar into a shallow bowl. This is where your cookie dough will get its signature sugary coat, adding a nice contrast in texture once baked. Don’t skip this step—it’s what makes these cookies pop!
Step 4: Form and Coat Your Cookies
Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out balls of dough directly into the powdered sugar. Then, roll each ball around until it’s fully coated and smooth. This rolling not only adds charm to the appearance but also helps create that tender outer layer everyone loves in a red velvet cookie.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place your coated dough balls about 1-2 inches apart on the lined cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 11 minutes, watching closely for when the edges set but the centers remain soft. These cookies come out beautifully cracked on top with a gentle chew inside, giving you the best of both worlds.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
After baking, let your cookies cool on the sheet for 3 to 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack or serving warm. This short cool-down makes sure they hold their shape but stay delightfully tender, ready to be devoured or saved for later.
How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are gorgeous as-is, but for a little extra flair, dust them lightly with powdered sugar after baking or add a drizzle of white chocolate. If you’re feeling festive, a sprinkle of finely chopped pecans on top before baking adds crunch and a lovely nutty aroma.
Side Dishes
Pair these soft, tangy cookies with a cold glass of milk or a cup of creamy hot chocolate for the ultimate comforting snack. They also go wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, turning a simple cookie into an indulgent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings or gifts, stack these cookies between layers of parchment paper inside a pretty tin or clear jar. You can even sandwich two cookies with a swirl of cream cheese frosting in the middle to create a red velvet cookie sandwich that’s both stunning and delicious. Personalizing your presentation always makes sharing sweeter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your baked cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This prevents them from drying out and preserves their soft, chewy texture, so they taste just as amazing the next day.
Freezing
If you want to save these cookies for longer, freeze them either baked or as unbaked dough balls. For baked cookies, flash freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. For dough, shape and sugar-coat the balls, then freeze in a single layer before bagging. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies after storage, warm them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a 300-degree oven for 5 minutes. This brings back that just-baked softness and melts any chilled cream cheese notes perfectly, giving the cookies a freshly baked feel every time.
FAQs
Can I substitute the whipped cream cheese spread?
Yes, you can use regular cream cheese softened to room temperature, but whipped cream cheese helps keep the dough lighter and easier to mix. Using regular cream cheese might make the dough a bit denser but won’t drastically change the flavor.
Do I need to add any extra flour to this cookie dough?
No extra flour is needed because the red velvet cake mix already contains the right proportions for structure and moisture balance, making your cookies perfectly chewy without any additional dry ingredients.
Why do we roll the dough in powdered sugar?
Rolling the dough in powdered sugar adds a sweet, slightly crisp outer layer once baked, creating an appealing texture contrast with the soft interior. It also helps enhance the classic red velvet look with that pretty cracked sugar coating.
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
While this recipe shines with red velvet cake mix for its unique flavor and color, you could experiment using chocolate or vanilla cake mix. Keep in mind, this will change the taste and appearance, so it won’t be quite the traditional Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe experience.
How long will these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh for about 4 days at room temperature. For longer lasting enjoyment, freezing is your best bet, preserving flavor and texture for months.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a wonderful shortcut to the irresistible charm of red velvet in cookie form, this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s quick, effortless, and produces soft, flavorful cookies that will impress anyone lucky enough to try them. Give this recipe a whirl and enjoy a sweet treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
Print
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional cookies, bringing the classic red velvet flavor into a soft, chewy treat with a sweet powdered sugar coating. Made with just a cake mix, eggs, whipped cream cheese spread, and powdered sugar, they’re quick to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 15.25 ounce (1) box red velvet cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whipped cream cheese spread
Coating
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 half sheet baking pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Ingredients: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat together the red velvet cake mix, eggs, and whipped cream cheese spread in a large mixing bowl for 1-2 minutes until a soft, sticky dough forms.
- Prepare Sugar Coating: Place the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl, ready for coating the cookie dough balls.
- Form and Coat Cookies: Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop balls of dough and drop them directly into the powdered sugar. Coat each ball thoroughly and roll it into a smooth, even ball.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the coated cookie dough balls 1-2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-11 minutes or until the cookies are set around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Do not overbake; cookies should be soft and slightly chewy.
- Use whipped cream cheese spread at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to the dough.
