Quick Pink Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Sweet pink velvet cookies blend nostalgia with modern baking magic, creating a delightful twist on classic desserts.

Soft pastel hues catch everyone’s attention, promising a delectable treat.

Cream cheese frosting adds rich, velvety smoothness to each tender bite.

Chocolate lovers and color enthusiasts will adore this playful confection.

These cookies bring unexpected charm to any gathering or quiet afternoon snack.

Light, fluffy, and beautifully blush-tinted, they’re simple to craft with basic pantry ingredients.

Treat yourself to a batch and watch smiles bloom with every delicious morsel.

Velvet Cookie FAQs

• What gives pink velvet cookies their unique color?

The bright pink color comes from adding red food coloring, which creates the signature vibrant hue that makes these cookies visually appealing and different from traditional chocolate velvet cookies.

• Why does the recipe include vinegar?

Vinegar helps activate the baking soda, creating a tender and soft texture in the cookies by slightly breaking down the flour’s gluten, resulting in a more delicate and lighter cookie.

• Can I make these cookies without buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before using to create a similar tangy, acidic effect.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

The cookies are done when the edges are set but the centers remain soft. They should look slightly underbaked, as they will continue to firm up while cooling on the baking sheet.

Why Pink Velvet Cookies Are Extra Special

• Create Instagram-worthy treats with vibrant pink color and elegant cream cheese frosting, guaranteed to wow friends and family at any gathering or celebration.
• Ideal for Valentine's Day, bridal showers, birthday parties, or simply as a sweet weekend treat that brings instant joy and colorful cheer to any moment.
• Dress up these cookies with various garnishes like sprinkles or white chocolate shavings, allowing personal creativity and making each batch uniquely special.

What Goes into Pink Velvet Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Base for cookie structure, provides essential texture and stability.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and achieve a soft, tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, classic flavor to the cookies.
• White Vinegar: Helps activate baking soda and adds subtle tanginess.
• Red Food Coloring: Creates signature pink velvet color.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and helps activate baking soda.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create smooth, creamy frosting base with rich flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor to the frosting.
• Milk: Optional ingredient to adjust frosting consistency.

• Sprinkles, White Chocolate Shavings, Heart-Shaped Candies: Add decorative touch and extra visual appeal.

Baking Instructions for Velvet Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Turn the oven to 350F (175C) and let it warm up.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these together until well blended.

Step 3: Create Cookie Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Beat until the mixture looks light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Vibrant Color and Flavor

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• White vinegar
• Pink food coloring

Mix until everything looks wonderfully pink and smooth.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Stir gently until just combined.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Dough

Scoop out round balls of dough, each about 1½ inches wide. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges look set but centers remain soft.

Step 8: Cool Cookies

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.

Step 9: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 10: Finish Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Beat until fluffy. If needed, splash in a bit of milk to reach desired consistency.

Step 11: Decorate Cookies

• White chocolate shavings
• Colorful sprinkles
• Heart-shaped candies

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Place cookies on a beautiful platter and watch them disappear!

Cookie Tips for Perfect Texture and Color

• Prevent Color Bleeding: Add food coloring gradually to control the intensity and prevent oversaturated pink hues that could stain surfaces or other ingredients.
• Buttermilk Substitution: No buttermilk? Mix regular milk with a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice and let sit for 5 minutes to create a perfect buttermilk alternative.
• Achieve Soft Cookies: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers appear slightly underbaked to ensure a tender, moist texture that melts in your mouth.
• Frosting Consistency Hack: Chill cream cheese and butter at room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more spreadable frosting without lumps.
• Store Smartly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture and prevent sticking.

How to Save and Enjoy Pink Velvet Cookies

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days.
• Wrap unfrosted cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag for maximum 3 months.
• Remove cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying.
• Warm cookies briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or enjoy at room temperature for best texture and flavor.

Tasty Companions for These Cookies

• Serve these pink velvet cookies with a chilled glass of rosé champagne, bringing out the soft sweetness and creating a romantic atmosphere.
• Pair these cookies with a light lavender latte or Earl Grey tea, enhancing the delicate flavor profile and providing a smooth, creamy contrast.
• Combine the cookies with a sparkling white wine or moscato, creating a playful and elegant dessert experience perfect for celebrations and gatherings.
• Enjoy these cookies alongside a classic vanilla chai tea, which complements the cream cheese frosting and adds a warm, spicy undertone to the sweet treat.

Creative Twists on Pink Velvet Cookies

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Use xanthan gum if the blend doesn't already include it for better texture.
• Vegan Pink Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, replace egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water), and use dairy-free cream cheese for frosting.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of regular sugar, and reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting. Choose a natural food coloring like beetroot powder for the pink color.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use almond milk instead of buttermilk, coconut cream cheese alternative for frosting, and plant-based margarine in place of butter while maintaining the cookie's soft texture and vibrant pink appearance.

Easy Pink Velvet Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Pink velvet cookies blend Southern charm with delightful sweetness, creating a delectable treat that delights dessert enthusiasts. Silky cream cheese frosting crowns these blush-hued delicacies, promising pure indulgence in each tender, delicate bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened

Cookie Wet Ingredients and Colorings:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon vinegar
• ½ teaspoon pink or red food coloring
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) buttermilk (or 2 tablespoons milk + ¼ teaspoon vinegar)

Frosting and Decoration Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) milk or cream (if needed for consistency)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Pink sprinkles or sanding sugar
• White chocolate shavings
• Heart-shaped candies (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating the dry ingredient base.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, developing a smooth texture.
4. Incorporate egg, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and pink food coloring, blending until the ingredients are evenly distributed and a vibrant pink color emerges.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk to maintain a smooth consistency and prevent overmixing.
6. Using a cookie scoop, portion the dough into 1½-inch rounds, positioning them with ample space between each cookie on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes, watching for set edges and slightly soft centers that indicate perfect doneness.
8. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling.
9. Prepare the cream cheese frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until completely smooth and free of lumps.
10. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
11. Adjust the frosting’s consistency by adding a tablespoon of milk if it appears too thick.
12. Once cookies are fully cooled, generously spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting onto each cookie.
13. Embellish the frosted cookies with playful decorations like sprinkles, delicate white chocolate shavings, or charming heart-shaped candies.
14. Serve immediately and savor the delightful pink velvet treats.

Notes

• Achieve vibrant pink color by using gel food coloring for more intense, uniform hue without watering down the batter.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create perfectly shaped, thick cookies.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain soft texture.
• Balance sweetness by using reduced-fat cream cheese and adjusting powdered sugar for lighter, less dense frosting.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg