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