If you are on the hunt for a cookie that beautifully blends the rich, classic flavors of red velvet with a luscious chocolatey surprise, this Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Each bite delivers a tender red velvet crumb wrapped around a melting heart of chocolate, offering not just incredible taste but also a festive pop of color and fun. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just to brighten your day, these cookies promise to fill your home with warmth and irresistible aroma that everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting these cookies just right is all about having the perfect balance of ingredients—a mix that’s simple but essential. Each element works together, from the creamy butter that creates tenderness to the cocoa powder that deepens the red velvet flavor and the frozen chocolate hearts that make every cookie a delightful surprise.
- 36 Dove Chocolate Hearts (1) 8.87 ounces package: Freezing them beforehand ensures they stay intact until you press them into warm cookies.
- ½ cup butter, room temperature: Provides moisture and richness, helping to create a soft, chewy cookie texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create slight crisp edges.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and adds a little lift and richness.
- 1 tablespoon milk: Adds moisture for better dough consistency.
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring: Gives the biscuits their signature vibrant red hue.
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: Forms the foundation for the dough’s structure.
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds a subtle chocolate flavor that complements the red velvet taste perfectly.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Leavens the cookies slightly to keep them tender.
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies flavor.
- Red sprinkling sugar and/or sprinkles: For a festive, sparkling finish that makes these cookies extra special.
How to Make Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Freeze the Chocolate Hearts
Start by placing your Dove Chocolate Hearts in the freezer for at least an hour. This step is super important—it ensures that when you press them into the warm cookies after baking, they soften just enough to create a gooey center rather than melting into a puddle.
Step 2: Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to promote even baking. This simple prep work will make clean-up easier and your cookies will have perfect bottoms.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy. This aerates the mixture, providing a smooth and tender texture for your cookies that you will notice in every bite.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, milk, red food coloring, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is fully combined and the dough boasts a uniform, lovely red color that is so characteristic of red velvet treats.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt to distribute flavors and leavening agents evenly. This step helps avoid any clumps and guarantees a consistent taste throughout.
Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Into Wet
Slowly add the dry mixture to your butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can make the cookies tough, so be gentle and stop as soon as everything looks blended and smooth.
Step 7: Shape and Roll Dough Balls
Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and roll each portion into a ball about one inch in diameter. Then, roll each dough ball in red sprinkling sugar or your choice of sprinkles for an eye-catching finish that adds a little crunch.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Arrange the dough balls spaced apart on your baking sheet, and bake in your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Look for the edges to set while the centers remain soft, ensuring they stay moist and tender after cooling.
Step 9: Add Chocolate Hearts to Cookies
When the cookies come out of the oven, gently press a frozen Dove Chocolate Heart into the center of each while they’re still warm. The chocolate will soften but not completely melt, creating that perfect, luscious center.
Step 10: Cool Completely
Transfer your cookies to a wire rack to cool. This allows the chocolate to set just right and the cookie dough to firm up, making them easy to handle and even more delicious to eat.
How to Serve Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra red sanding sugar or edible glitter just before serving to catch the light and add a sparkling touch. You can also add a tiny dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of cocoa powder for an elegant finish.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea for a cozy treat. For a special gathering, serve alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate the indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Place these cookies in festive tins or stack and tie with a red ribbon for gifting. They also look adorable nestled in cupcake liners or arranged around a cake centerpiece to add charm to your dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft while preserving that delightful chocolate center.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To restore that gooey chocolate and fresh-baked warmth, microwave cookies for about 10 to 15 seconds. This brief heat softens the chocolate center beautifully and brings back the cookie’s tender texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate for the centers?
Absolutely! While Dove Chocolate Hearts give a smooth, creamy melt, you can substitute with any small milk or semi-sweet chocolate pieces. Just be sure to freeze them first for best results in preserving shape during baking.
What if I don’t have red food coloring?
You can try natural alternatives like beet juice or powdered beetroot for a less intense color, but keep in mind these may slightly alter the taste and appearance. Red food coloring helps achieve the classic bright red velvet look.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
With some ingredient swaps like vegan butter, egg replacer, and dairy-free milk, you can adapt this recipe. Keep an eye on the chocolate hearts to ensure they are vegan-friendly or choose a plant-based brand.
Why do I need to freeze the chocolate hearts?
Freezing helps the chocolate keep its shape when placed into hot cookies, preventing it from melting into the dough too quickly and losing that lovely molten center effect.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is not too soft and avoid overmixing the dough. Also, chilling the dough briefly before baking can help the cookies hold their shape better in the oven.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited to bake and share this Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe as I am to hand it over to you. These cookies are little edible celebrations, each one bringing together rich flavor, fun texture, and a charming surprise that makes every bite unforgettable. Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create a batch of magic that will have everyone coming back for more.
Print
Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
These Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies combine a soft, rich red velvet dough with a touch of cocoa and a melted Dove Chocolate Heart center for an irresistible treat. Rolled in festive red sugar or sprinkles, these cookies offer a perfect balance of moist texture and chocolatey flavor, ideal for holidays or special occasions.
Ingredients
Chocolate Centers
- 36 Dove Chocolate Hearts (1 package, 8.87 ounces)
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Coating
- Red sprinkling sugar and/or sprinkles
Instructions
- Freeze Chocolate Hearts: Place the Dove Chocolate Hearts into the freezer for at least an hour to prevent them from melting quickly when added to the warm cookies.
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar together for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, milk, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until the mixture is fully combined and consistent in color.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and flavors.
- Incorporate Dry Into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and toughening the cookies.
- Shape and Roll Dough Balls: Scoop the dough using a tablespoon and roll into 1-inch balls. Coat each dough ball thoroughly in red sprinkling sugar or sprinkles, then place them spaced apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked.
- Add Chocolate Hearts: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press one frozen Dove Chocolate Heart into the center of each cookie, allowing the chocolate to melt slightly into the warm dough.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool fully, enabling the chocolate to set and the cookies to firm up properly.
Notes
- Freezing the chocolate hearts beforehand is essential to prevent the chocolate from melting too quickly during baking.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cookies tender.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet for easy cookie removal and cleanup.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 3-4 days.
