If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s as charming as it is delicious, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’m sharing my beloved Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe — a batch of tender, rich red velvet cookies crowned with a melty chocolate heart that’s guaranteed to make your taste buds swoon. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out: festive, utterly indulgent, and perfect for gifting or cozying up with a cup of coffee. Stick around, and I’ll share all my tips so you get these just right every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance: The rich cocoa and deep red velvet flavors create a cookie that’s tender yet bursting with chocolatey goodness.
- Melty Center Surprise: Freezing the chocolate hearts ensures they stay nestled and gooey without melting too fast.
- Fun & Festive Presentation: Rolling in colorful sugar or sprinkles adds a touch of sparkle that makes these cookies party-ready.
- Super Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together quickly, making it ideal even for last-minute baking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient here plays a big part in creating the perfect texture and flavor in this Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe. I always recommend using high-quality chocolate hearts and fresh baking soda for the best results.
- Dove Chocolate Hearts: I prefer these because they’re just the right size and melt beautifully without overpowering the cookie.
- Butter: Room temperature butter creams smoothly to give your cookies a tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that slight crisp on the cookie edges.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture for soft cookies.
- Milk: A little extra liquid to make the dough soft and easy to work with.
- Red Food Coloring: The secret behind that classic red velvet hue; use a gel food coloring if you want richer color without thinning the dough.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Boosts flavor and rounds out the cocoa notes.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for structure; measure carefully so cookies stay soft but don’t spread too much.
- Unsweetened Cocoa: Gives that signature velvety chocolate flavor without adding sweetness.
- Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise just enough to stay tender but not cakey.
- Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Red Sprinkling Sugar and/or Sprinkles: Adds sparkle and fun — choose your favorite festive colors!
Variations
While I adore the classic Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe as is, sometimes I like to switch things up and make the experience my own — and you totally can too! Here are a few tweaks I’ve tried and loved.
- White Chocolate Twist: Instead of Dove chocolate hearts, try white chocolate kisses—my family was obsessed with the sweet surprise!
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder for a subtle warmth that compliments the cocoa beautifully.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend; I recommend adding a teaspoon of xanthan gum for best texture.
- Vegan Version: Use vegan butter and egg substitute like flax egg; I experimented with this and was pleasantly surprised by how moist the cookies stayed.
How to Make Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Chill Your Chocolate Hearts
Before you even start mixing the dough, pop those chocolate hearts into the freezer for at least an hour. I learned this trick when I noticed my chocolates melting too fast during baking—it keeps them solid until you press them in after baking.
Step 2: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper—it prevents sticking and helps with cleanup, which I always appreciate!
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer. The fluffiness is key for tender cookies, so don’t rush this step.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, milk, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until everything is well blended. The red food coloring gives the dough that rich velvety color, so I usually add a full tablespoon for that wow factor.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients and Form Dough
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa, baking soda, and kosher salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined so you don’t overwork the dough, which can make cookies tough.
Step 6: Shape, Roll, and Bake Cookies
Using a tablespoon, scoop the dough and roll it into 1-inch balls. Then roll each ball in your red colored sugar or sprinkles — this adds that charming sparkle and a slight crunch on the outside. I found it easiest to roll the dough at room temperature; chilling can make the sprinkles stick oddly. Place your dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet spaced about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes—watch for the edges to set but the center still soft. As soon as they come out of the oven, press one frozen chocolate heart into the middle of each cookie. They’ll gently melt into the warm cookie without disappearing entirely, which is pure magic.
Transfer your cookies to a wire rack to cool completely so they set perfectly and don’t lose their shape.
Pro Tips for Making Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe
- Freeze the Chocolate: This prevents the chocolates from melting too quickly and blending into the cookie dough, keeping that beautiful blossom shape intact.
- Don’t Overmix: Overworking the dough results in chewy or tough cookies, so mix just until the flour is incorporated.
- Roll at Room Temperature: Rolling dough when it’s too cold makes sprinkles stick weirdly; I learned that after an initial batch of stubborn sprinkles!
- Watch Your Bake Time: Pull cookies out when edges are set but the centers still look a bit soft; they’ll firm up while cooling for the perfect texture.
How to Serve Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Whenever I serve these cookies, I love finishing them off with a light dusting of powdered sugar if it’s wintertime, or I’ll sprinkle extra festive sugar crystals on top just before baking for an eye-catching sparkle. Sometimes a hint of edible glitter makes them feel extra special for holidays or parties.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with whipped cream-topped hot chocolate or a simple glass of cold milk. I’ve also found they’re a crowd-pleaser right alongside coffee or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
For Valentine’s Day or a romantic gift, I stack them in a cute jar layered with wax paper and tie a red ribbon around it. Friends love receiving these as party favors too — just wrap them in cellophane with a little tag. And don’t underestimate the power of a beautiful cookie platter lined with fresh berries and mint leaves!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and delicious for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, a cool spot in the kitchen works well too, but don’t refrigerate them or they can dry out.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! I usually freeze the unbaked dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then transfer them to a sealed container or freezer bag. When I’m ready to bake, I pop them straight from frozen into the oven, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy leftover baked cookies warm, I gently reheat them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. The chocolate center gets melty again, and the cookie tastes just like fresh!
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of chocolate for the blossom center?
Absolutely! While I prefer Dove Chocolate Hearts for their size and melt, you can use Hershey’s Kisses, white chocolate, or even flavored chocolates. Just make sure to freeze them beforehand so they don’t melt too quickly during baking.
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Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?
Yes! Swap the butter for a vegan butter substitute, use a flax or chia egg in place of the egg, and choose dairy-free chocolate for the blossom. You might need to experiment a bit with texture, but I found it works well with these changes.
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Why do I need to freeze the chocolate hearts before baking?
Freezing the chocolates prevents them from melting too quickly into the cookie dough, so once pressed into the warm cookies, they keep their shape and have that beautiful “blossom” look instead of turning into a puddle.
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Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Definitely. You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate or freeze it. Bake them fresh when you’re ready, pressing in the frozen chocolates right off the baking sheet for the best results.
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What’s the best way to store these cookies?
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze the dough or the baked cookies in a sealed container and thaw when ready to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
This Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to treats whenever I want to impress family or friends with minimal fuss. What I love most is how these cookies bring simple ingredients together to create something so joyful and luscious — it’s a real crowd-pleaser, and the chocolate heart surprise is just too delightful! I hope you give this recipe a try, and when you do, you’ll see why it’s a favorite in my kitchen. You’ll enjoy these every bit as much as I do, I promise!
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
Description
Delightfully festive Red Velvet Blossom Cookies featuring a soft, cocoa-infused red velvet dough rolled in colorful sprinkles and crowned with a chilled Dove Chocolate Heart for a perfect melt-in-your-mouth treat. These cookies combine classic red velvet flavors with a fun twist of chocolate centers that stay solid due to the pre-freezing step, making them a perfect dessert for celebrations, holidays, or gifting.
Ingredients
Chocolate Candy
- 36 Dove Chocolate Hearts (1 package, 8.87 ounces), frozen at least 1 hour
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
For Rolling
- Red sprinkling sugar and/or sprinkles
Instructions
- Freeze the Chocolate Hearts: Place the Dove Chocolate Hearts in the freezer for at least one hour. This step ensures the chocolate won’t melt too quickly when added to the warm cookies after baking, maintaining their shape and texture.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room temperature butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer or by hand until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This aerates the dough, creating a tender cookie.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, milk, red food coloring, and pure vanilla extract into the creamed mixture. Mix well until all are fully blended, producing the characteristic red velvet hue and flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and cocoa.
- Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, beating just until blended. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender and soft.
- Shape Dough Balls: Using a tablespoon measure, scoop out dough and roll into 1-inch balls. Then roll each ball in red sprinkling sugar or colorful sprinkles for a festive coating.
- Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the coated dough balls onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them sufficiently to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies should be lightly set but still soft in the center.
- Press Chocolate Hearts: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a frozen Dove Chocolate Heart into the center of each cookie gently but firmly. This allows the chocolate to adhere without melting completely.
- Cool: Transfer the cookies from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing the chocolate to firm up and cookies to set properly before serving.
Notes
- The recipe uses Dove Chocolate Hearts, chosen for their size and chocolate-to-cookie ratio, but Hershey’s Chocolate Hearts can be used as an alternative though they are larger.
- If you prepare the dough ahead and refrigerate it, let it come to room temperature before rolling to prevent sprinkles from not sticking properly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg