Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

If you’re a fan of irresistible desserts that combine vibrant color with a luscious center, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe. These delightful treats feature soft, cake-like red velvet cookie exteriors hugging a silky smooth cream cheese filling, creating a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. They’re just the right balance of festive and comforting, making them an absolute must-make for your next baking adventure or special occasion treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple, classic ingredients come together beautifully in this recipe, each playing an essential role in crafting the tender texture, rich flavor, and distinctive red hue of these cookie cups. From the creamy butter that forms the base to the tangy cream cheese filling that steals the show, every ingredient counts.

• Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Provides a rich, creamy base for the dough ensuring tender cookies.
• Granulated sugar (½ cup): Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, chewy texture.
• Brown sugar, packed (½ cup): Contributes moistness and a subtle caramel undertone that deepens flavor.
• Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture for softness.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic note.
• Red food coloring (1 tablespoon): Creates the signature vibrant red color that makes these cookie cups stand out.
• White vinegar (1 teaspoon): Reacts with baking soda to help the cookies rise and adds a slight tang.
• All-purpose flour (1 ¼ cups): Forms the structure of the cookie, keeping it tender yet sturdy enough to hold the filling.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder (¼ cup): Adds that subtle, indulgent chocolatey flavor that complements red velvet perfectly.
• Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Used as a leavening agent to help the cookies puff up and stay light.
• Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Cream cheese, softened (4 ounces): The star of the filling, providing creamy tanginess and smooth texture.
• Powdered sugar (¼ cup): Sweetens and smooths the cream cheese filling for irresistible richness.
• Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon for filling): Adds depth and balances the cream cheese sweetness.

How to Make Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick—this simple step guarantees they’ll lift cleanly and look picture-perfect.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and almost cloud-like. This aeration is key to getting delightfully soft cookies with just the right crumb.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients and Red Food Coloring

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and white vinegar until the mixture is fully combined and spreads a gorgeous, vibrant red hue. The vinegar helps react with the baking soda to produce tender cookies with a subtle tanginess that mimics classic red velvet cake.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

Whisk together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. This ensures even distribution of your leavening agents and cocoa flavor throughout the dough without clumping.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing here to keep the cookies tender instead of dense.

Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

In a smaller bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This filling adds a luscious, tangy surprise inside each cookie cup—trust me, it’s absolutely dreamy.

Step 7: Assemble the Cookie Cups

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Place ½ teaspoon of cream cheese filling in the center, then top with another tablespoon of dough. Carefully seal the edges so no filling leaks out, then gently roll into a ball. This step takes a little patience but results in the best flavor combo when baked.

Step 8: Bake the Cookies

Place the assembled cookie cups spaced about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookies have set and you see slight cracks on top. These cracks hint at the tender, moist cookie inside with the creamy filling center.

Step 9: Cool Your Cookie Cups

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling phase helps the centers set just right, giving you that perfect balance of soft cookie and dense filling.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

Garnishes

Try sprinkling your cookie cups with a little powdered sugar or a dusting of cocoa powder for a charming finish. Fresh raspberries or a drizzle of white chocolate add a beautiful, elegant touch if you want to impress guests.

Side Dishes

These cookie cups pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or your favorite cup of coffee or tea, bringing out the rich, velvety flavors. For a more indulgent treat, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, stack your Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe in a decorative jar or on a tiered dessert tray. Gift them in pretty boxes tied with ribbon for a homemade gift that will delight everyone. You can even insert decorative toothpicks for easy grabbing during gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their softness and flavor. If you’d like to keep them longer, refrigeration helps keep the cream cheese filling fresh for up to a week.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies either before or after baking. For best results, freeze assembled but unbaked cookie cups on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies also freeze well in airtight containers, perfect for enjoying later.

Reheating

To enjoy your cookie cups warm, gently reheat in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low-temperature oven (300°F) for about 5 minutes. This revives the soft, gooey texture and makes the cream cheese filling even more decadent.

FAQs

Can I use a cream cheese alternative in the filling?

Absolutely! You can use vegan cream cheese or mascarpone, but keep in mind that the flavor and texture might vary slightly. Regular cream cheese gives that classic tangy creaminess that pairs perfectly with red velvet.

Why do these cookies have vinegar in the dough?

Vinegar adds mild acidity which reacts with baking soda to create a tender crumb and slight tang, characteristic of traditional red velvet flavor.

Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

You can, but the signature bright red color won’t be as vibrant. For a natural alternative, some bakers use beet juice or powdered beetroot to get a beautiful red hue.

What if I don’t want to stuff the cookies with cream cheese?

The cookies are still delicious on their own with a soft red velvet flavor, but the cream cheese filling is what makes this recipe truly special and indulgent. You could also add a simple frosting dollop on top if preferred.

How do I avoid the cream cheese filling leaking during baking?

Make sure to seal the dough edges well around the filling and handle gently when shaping. Chilling the dough balls briefly before baking can also help keep the filling from oozing out.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe is one of those sweet discoveries that feels like a cozy hug in dessert form. It’s fun to make, endlessly satisfying to eat, and guaranteed to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Give it a try—you’ll be so glad you did!

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