Red Velvet Snowballs Recipe

Introduction

These Red Velvet Snowballs are soft, cocoa-infused cookies with a festive red hue, coated in a sweet powdered sugar blanket. Perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a delightful treat with a touch of elegance.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. Step 3: In another bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy and smooth.
4. Step 4: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to the butter mixture and mix thoroughly.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until combined.
6. Step 6: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
7. Step 7: Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
8. Step 8: Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cookies are set but still soft.
9. Step 9: Let the cookies cool slightly, then roll them in powdered sugar while they are still warm.
10. Step 10: Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving or storing.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring for a richer, more vibrant red without adding extra liquid to the dough.
• For a festive twist, add a pinch of cinnamon or peppermint extract to the batter.
• Ensure the butter is fully softened to make mixing easier and produce a tender cookie texture.
• You can dust the cookies with powdered sugar a second time just before serving for extra snowy effect.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep the powdered sugar coating fresh, consider dusting them again before serving. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature and freshen the coating if needed. Reheat briefly in a microwave for a warm, soft treat.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use natural cocoa powder instead of Dutch-processed?

Yes, natural cocoa powder can be used, but it may affect the color slightly. Dutch-processed cocoa has a smoother, milder flavor and darker color, which complements red velvet well.

Why do the cookies need to be coated while warm?

Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while warm allows the sugar to stick evenly and form a light, snowy coating that enhances both texture and appearance.

Red Velvet Snowballs Recipe

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Red Velvet Snowballs are soft, buttery cookies with a rich cocoa flavor and vibrant red color, coated in a sweet layer of powdered sugar while still warm. These festive treats are perfect for holiday celebrations or any day you want a delightful, melt-in-your-mouth dessert.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a mixer or by hand until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: To the creamed butter mixture, add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix thoroughly to achieve an even red color throughout the dough.
5. Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined to form a soft dough.
6. Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball with your hands.
7. Bake: Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until just set.
8. Coat with Powdered Sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly for a few minutes. While still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to create the snowy coating.
9. Cool Completely: Place the coated cookies on a wire rack and let them cool completely before serving to let the sugar coating set and the cookies firm up.

Notes

• Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother dough.
• Use a good quality red food coloring for the brightest color; gel food coloring works best without thinning the dough.
• Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while warm helps the coating adhere better.
• Cookies may appear soft when first taken out but will set as they cool.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Keywords: red velvet cookies, snowball cookies, cocoa cookies, holiday cookies, powdered sugar cookies