If you have a soft spot for luscious, chocolaty treats that feel like a warm hug, then you are absolutely going to love this Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies Recipe. These cookies strike the perfect balance between tender, fudgy red velvet cookie bases and creamy, dreamy frosting on top, making every bite melt in your mouth. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe captures the essence of those famous Crumbl cookies in your own kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these irresistibly vibrant and flavorful delights!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering just the right ingredients is key to nailing this Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies Recipe. Each component plays a special role, lending color, richness, and that signature soft texture that will keep you coming back for more.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup softened, 113g): Adds creamy richness and helps create a tender crumb texture.
- Granulated sugar (1/3 cup, 70g): Sweetens and helps the dough rise slightly for a perfect chew.
- Light brown sugar (1/3 cup packed, 65g): Brings moisture and a subtle caramel depth; feel free to reduce to 1/4 cup if you want less sweetness.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients and adds a little lift for soft cookies.
- Vinegar (1 tsp): Reacts with baking soda to make the cookies tender and slightly tangy.
- Red gel food color (1–2 tsp): Gives you that iconic red velvet hue – start with 1 tsp and add more for a bolder color.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances all the flavors with its sweet, floral notes.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups, 163g): The backbone that holds your cookies together with just the right chewiness.
- Natural cocoa powder (2–3 tbsp): Adds chocolatey richness; begin with 2 tbsp and adjust if you want a more intense chocolate flavor.
- Baking soda (1/2 tsp): Leavens the dough while reacting with vinegar for a soft texture.
- Baking powder (1/4 tsp): Gives a slight lift and supports tenderness.
- Salt (1/4 tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor complexity.
- Unsalted butter for frosting (6 tbsp softened, 85g): Contributes to the frosting’s creamy texture and richness.
- Cream cheese (6 oz, room temperature, 170g): Key to that tangy, smooth frosting that complements the cookies perfectly.
- Icing sugar (1 cup sifted): Sweetens and thickens the frosting for perfect spreading.
- Vanilla extract for frosting (1/2 tsp): Adds a delicate hint of flavor that ties the frosting together.
How to Make Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by beating together the softened unsalted butter with the granulated and brown sugars. This step is essential because it incorporates air into the mixture, helping your cookies turn out light and fluffy instead of dense. Cream until the mixture feels fluffy and looks pale, which usually takes a couple of minutes with a hand or stand mixer.
Step 2: Mix in the Wet Ingredients
Next, it’s time to add in the egg, vinegar, red gel food color, and vanilla extract. The vinegar is the secret ingredient that reacts with the leavening agents to give the cookies their tender crumb and slight tang that balances the richness. The red gel food color is what gives these cookies their show-stopping vibrant appearance. Mix everything well until smooth and uniform.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift the all-purpose flour, natural cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Sifting ensures your dry ingredients are lump-free and evenly combined, which helps your cookies bake evenly. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, taking care not to overmix to keep the dough tender.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Pop your cookie dough in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes. Chilling firms up the dough, which helps your cookies hold their shape better during baking and enhances the flavors as they meld together. This short chill is a game-changer for texture.
Step 5: Prepare to Bake
While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lining the sheet prevents sticking and promotes even browning on the bottoms of your cookies.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Scoop the dough into roughly equal-sized balls. Using a cookie scoop can help keep your cookies uniform in size and shape. Place them spaced apart on the parchment-lined baking sheet because these cookies will spread a little while baking.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Pop the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10 to 11 minutes. You’re aiming for slightly set edges with a soft center. Once done, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely; frosting warm cookies will cause it to melt prematurely.
Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cookies are cooling, whip together the softened cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Then gradually add the sifted icing sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until the frosting is fluffy and perfectly spreadable. This frosting is the sweet and tangy finish that elevates these cookies to truly decadent status.
Step 9: Frost and Garnish
Once your cookies are fully cooled, generously spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting on each one. If you have any cookie crumbs left over, sprinkle a few on top for that extra touch of texture and style. Your Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies are now ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Try adding some colorful sprinkles, a light dusting of cocoa powder, or even a few mini white chocolate chips on top of the frosting to add visual appeal and a little extra sweetness. Garnishes can make these cookies feel even more special for celebrations or gifting.
Side Dishes
Pair these decadent red velvet cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a cup of rich hot chocolate, or a creamy latte. The contrasting temperatures and textures make each bite a little celebration of flavors. Fresh berries or a simple vanilla ice cream can also round out the experience beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or special occasion, consider stacking these cookies with layers of frosting peeking out between, like mini red velvet cookie sandwiches. You can also package them in decorative tins or mason jars tied with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This storage keeps them soft and the frosting fresh. Avoid refrigeration if possible, as it can dry out the cookies.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, both the baked and cooled cookies and the frosting freeze very well. Freeze cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can freeze the frosting separately in an airtight container and thaw when ready to use.
Reheating
To refresh the cookies from frozen, let them thaw at room temperature. If you want that freshly baked warmth, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it may melt the frosting. Adding the frosting fresh after warming can also be a delicious option.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
You can use regular food coloring, but gel food coloring is preferred because it delivers more vibrant color without adding extra liquid, which might affect the dough consistency.
What kind of cocoa powder works best?
Natural unsweetened cocoa powder is ideal here for that classic red velvet flavor and tang. Dutch-processed cocoa has a different pH and may affect the texture and color slightly.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
With some ingredient swaps—like using vegan butter, egg replacer, and dairy-free cream cheese—you can make a vegan version, but expect subtle differences in texture and flavor.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough helps the butter firm up, which prevents cookies from spreading too much and helps develop more depth in flavor.
How thick should I make the cookies?
Ensure your cookie dough balls are about 2 tablespoons each for a good thick, soft cookie that bakes evenly and holds the frosting better.
Final Thoughts
This Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies Recipe is like a little celebration in every bite, with its tender crumb, bold red color, and luscious frosting. Sharing these with friends or family is a joy, and baking them yourself brings such satisfaction. Don’t hesitate to dive in and make this your next baking project—you absolutely will want to make these again and again!
Print
Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies recipe delivers soft, chewy red velvet cookies topped with a smooth, creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfectly balanced with cocoa and a hint of vinegar, these cookies are a delightful treat that replicates the popular Crumbl bakery style. They’re easy to make and ideal for dessert lovers craving a rich, colorful cookie with luscious frosting.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (70g)
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed (65g) – reduce to 1/4 cup for less sweet cookies
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1–2 tsp red gel food color
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour (163g)
- 2–3 tbsp natural cocoa powder (start with 2 and add more if you want more chocolatey cookies)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Frosting
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (85g)
- 6 oz cream cheese, room temperature (170g)
- 1 cup icing sugar, sifted
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring the sugars are well incorporated for a smooth dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vinegar, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until fully combined, giving the dough its distinctive red velvet color and subtle tang.
- Sift and Fold Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, avoiding overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to firm it up, making it easier to scoop and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Scoop Dough: Form the chilled dough into balls using a cookie scoop or spoon and place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 11 minutes until they are set around the edges but still soft in the center. Remove from oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add sifted icing sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost and Garnish: Once the cookies are fully cooled, generously frost each cookie with the cream cheese frosting and optionally sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs to add texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps the cookies retain their shape and results in a better texture.
- You can adjust the red food coloring based on your preferred intensity of red color.
- Use high-quality natural cocoa powder for the best flavor.
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter for the frosting are softened to avoid lumps.
- The cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
