Description
Red Velvet Snowballs are delightful, soft, cocoa-flavored cookies with a rich red hue, coated in powdered sugar for a snowy finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet, tender treat with a striking appearance.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
Coating
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until fully combined to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and flavor.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth, which will give the cookies a tender texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: To the creamed butter and sugar, add the large egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix well until the color is evenly blended and the mixture is homogeneous.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough.
- Scoop and Shape: Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each scoop into a smooth ball to create uniform cookies that bake evenly.
- Bake: Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet spaced apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until set but still soft in the centers.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool slightly for a few minutes so they are warm but manageable. Roll each cookie in powdered sugar to create the classic snowball coating.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving, ensuring the coating sets and the cookies firm up slightly.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be soft and slightly underdone in the center for the best texture.
- Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while still warm helps the sugar adhere better for a snowball effect.
- Use gel or liquid red food coloring depending on preference; gels tend to give more vibrant color without thinning the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: red velvet cookies, snowball cookies, cocoa cookies, holiday cookies, powdered sugar coating
