Name: Red Velvet Cookie Cups Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon red food coloring; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened; ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; Red, white, and pink sprinkles; Crushed cookies or chocolate chips

Baking these delightful red velvet cookie cups can transport you to a world of sweet, indulgent bliss.

Crimson-colored dough creates a stunning visual treat that mesmerizes from the first glance.

Soft, velvety textures merge with rich chocolate undertones, promising an unforgettable dessert experience.

Delicate and compact, these miniature delights pack a powerful flavor punch that’ll make mouths water.

Creamy cream cheese filling nestled inside adds a luxurious surprise to each bite-sized morsel.

Chocolate lovers and dessert enthusiasts will absolutely adore these miniature masterpieces of culinary creativity.

Come explore this irresistible recipe that guarantees to become your new favorite sweet sensation.

Perfect for Dessert Lovers capture the essence of this delightful recipe.
No advanced baking skills required, making these red velvet cookie cups accessible for home cooks of all experience levels. Each step is straightforward and easy to follow, ensuring success even for novice bakers.
Total time from start to finish is under an hour, perfect for spontaneous sweet cravings or last-minute gatherings. The recipe moves quickly with minimal waiting periods between steps.
Mini cookie cups create an adorable, bite-sized dessert that looks impressive and tastes amazing. Their cute size makes them ideal for parties, potlucks, and family celebrations where people want elegant yet fun treats.
Bakers can personalize these cookie cups with various toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips, or crushed cookies. This flexibility allows everyone to add their unique touch and make the dessert their own.

Ingredients That Make These Cups Special

Base Ingredients:

Flour: Provides structure and base for the cookie dough, all-purpose flour works best.
Cocoa Powder: Gives rich chocolate flavor and deep red velvet color.
Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and create soft texture.

Sweeteners and Binding Ingredients:

Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create chewy texture.
Egg: Binds ingredients and provides moisture to the cookie dough.

Wet Ingredients and Flavoring:

Butter: Creates rich flavor and tender cookie texture, unsalted preferred.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.
Red Food Coloring: Provides signature red velvet color, gel food coloring recommended.

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

Cream Cheese: Creates tangy, smooth frosting base, full-fat version suggested.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting.
Butter: Adds richness and helps stabilize frosting.

Optional Decorative Ingredients:

Sprinkles, Crushed Cookies, Chocolate Chips: Adds visual interest and extra flavor, choose based on personal preference.

Step 1: Whip Up the Dough

Mix together softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until they become light and fluffy. Crack in the egg and stir in vanilla extract with a splash of red food coloring to create that signature vibrant look. In a separate bowl, combine:

All-purpose flour
Cocoa powder
Baking soda
Salt

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft, velvety dough forms.

Step 2: Shape and Bake the Cups

Roll the dough into small balls about the size of a walnut. Place each ball into a greased mini muffin tin. Use your finger or the back of a spoon to create a deep indentation in the center of each ball. Slide the tin into an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should look set and slightly crisp. Right after removing from the oven, press down the centers again to reinforce the cup shape. Let the cookie cups rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 3: Craft the Creamy Frosting

Blend cream cheese and butter until smooth and silky. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and a touch of vanilla extract. Whip until the frosting becomes light and airy.

Step 4: Fill and Decorate

Pipe or spoon the luscious cream cheese frosting into the cooled cookie cups. Sprinkle with fun toppings like:

Colorful sprinkles
Crushed chocolate cookies
Mini chocolate chips

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve these delightful treats immediately or store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to indulge. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or a sweet personal treat!

Tips to Keep Edges Neat and Centers Soft

Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for ingredients to ensure the perfect texture and flavor of red velvet cookie cups.
Soften Ingredients Properly: Allow butter and cream cheese to reach room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing and better incorporation.
Create Consistent Cups: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform-sized cookie balls for even baking and professional-looking results.
Prevent Sticking: Generously grease the mini muffin tin or use non-stick cooking spray to easily remove the delicate cookie cups after baking.
Chill for Stability: Refrigerate the filled cookie cups for 15-20 minutes before serving to help the frosting set and maintain their shape.

Store These Cookies for Later Enjoyment

Store cookie cups in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and delicious in the refrigerator.
Wrap individual cookie cups in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months for best quality.
Remove frozen cookie cups from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving.
Warm cookie cups gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft, fresh-baked texture.

Perfect Pairings for Red Velvet Treats

Rich espresso or cold brew coffee perfectly complements the sweet red velvet flavor, cutting through the creamy frosting with a bold, robust taste.
Select a smooth, slightly sweet red wine like port or chocolate-infused cabernet to enhance the cookie's cocoa undertones and create a luxurious dessert experience.
Classic cold milk- especially whole milk or chocolate milk- provides a creamy, classic backdrop that balances the cookie's rich cream cheese frosting and deep red velvet notes.
Sparkling rosé or strawberry champagne adds a celebratory touch, matching the cookie's vibrant red color and bringing a light, elegant fizz to each bite.

Variations for Different Occasions

Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
Vegan Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and swap cream cheese frosting with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative made from cashews or plant-based cream cheese.
Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated sugar, reduce the amount of sugar by half, and opt for unsweetened cocoa powder to minimize overall sugar content.
Chocolate Lover's Variation: Add extra cocoa powder or dark chocolate chips to the cookie dough for an intensified chocolate flavor, and sprinkle cocoa nibs on top of the frosted cookie cups for additional richness.

What gives red velvet cookies their signature color?

The deep red color comes from a combination of cocoa powder and red food coloring, which creates the classic vibrant red hue associated with red velvet desserts.

Can I make these cookie cups without a mini muffin tin?

While a mini muffin tin helps create the perfect cup shape, you can use a regular muffin tin or press the centers down on a baking sheet to create a similar indented cookie.

How do I ensure my cookie cups have a perfect cup shape?

Press the dough balls down with your thumb or the back of a measuring spoon before and immediately after baking. This helps create and maintain the cup-like indentation for filling with frosting.

Is it necessary to use both granulated and brown sugar?

Yes, using both sugars helps create a more complex flavor and provides moisture to the cookie cups, resulting in a softer, chewier texture.

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Fusion Cuisine Development
Recipe Development and Food Styling
Culinary Writing and Content Creation
Nutrition and Healthy Cooking

Education

Culinary Institute of America

Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation.

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression.

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

Dreamy Red Velvet Cookie Cups Recipe for Sweet Indulgence