Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’re looking for a showstopper dessert that’s both fun and mouthwateringly delicious, you’re going to love this Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These aren’t your everyday sandwich cookies—imagine soft, tender red velvet cookies paired with rich, tangy cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. I’ve tweaked this recipe over many batches to get the perfect balance, and I can’t wait for you to try it because these cookies are simply fan-freaking-tastic!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic behind this Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is in how the ingredients come together to create such a nostalgic and comforting flavor. Choosing quality ingredients like real cocoa powder and full-fat cream cheese really pays off in the end.

• Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter helps create that soft, fluffy cookie dough texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel undertone, enhancing the cookie’s tenderness.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides a crisp edge while balancing the brown sugar’s moisture.
• Egg: Binds everything together and contributes to the cookie’s richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to every bite.
• Red Velvet Bakery Emulsion or Red Gel Food Color: This gives the cookies their iconic red hue and authentic flavor punch.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies the chocolate notes.
• Cocoa Powder: The backbone of red velvet’s subtle chocolate flavor.
• All-purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure to your cookies.
• Milk Chocolate Chips: Adds sweet bursts of melty chocolate in every bite.
• Cream Cheese (for frosting): Gives that classic tangy richness that pairs perfectly with sweet cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting without grittiness.
• Milk (for frosting): Keeps the frosting smooth and pipeable.

Tweak to Your Taste

This Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is great as it is, but one of my favorite things about baking is making a recipe your own. You can definitely personalize these cookies to suit your style or dietary needs, and I’ve given some ideas below to get your creativity flowing.

• Chocolate Chip Mix-Up: Sometimes I like swapping milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate to add a bit of bitterness that balances the sweetness.
• Frosting Flavor Boost: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or a drop of almond extract to the frosting can change it up in a delightful way—try it and see what you think!
• Dye-Free Option: If you’re not a fan of food coloring, just skip it—the cookies will be a rich chocolate color and still super tasty.
• Dairy-Free Twists: Substitute the butter and cream cheese with vegan alternatives for a dairy-free version; I’ve done this and it still works wonderfully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper—this helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. In a large bowl, cream together the room-temperature butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand mixer on medium speed. This usually takes about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy—you want to see that soft texture, which gives your cookies the perfect lift.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients and Flavorings

Next, crack in your egg and pour in vanilla extract along with your red velvet bakery emulsion or gel food color. Mix everything until just combined. This is the moment where your cookie dough starts to get that signature red color and subtle vanilla-chocolate aroma—you’ll be tempted to sneak a lick of the batter (go ahead, I do sometimes!).

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In goes the baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and all-purpose flour. Mix on low speed until the flour is mostly incorporated. Then, bump the mixer speed up to high and beat for about 20 seconds until a smooth ball of dough forms. This little high-speed beat gives your dough the perfect consistency to hold together but still be soft and tender after baking.

Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips & Scoop Cookies

Stir in 1 cup of milk chocolate chips gently by hand, reserving about a quarter cup to press on top of cookies before baking—they add such a nice melty chocolate touch that makes these cookies extra irresistible. Using a medium cookie scoop (I like to do six at a time), place scoops of dough on your baking sheet, spaced well to allow spreading.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake your cookies for 12 minutes. Once out of the oven, give them at least 10-15 minutes on the sheet to cool a bit—they’ll firm up while still staying soft inside. Afterwards, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. It’s tempting to frost warm cookies, but trust me, waiting will make your frosting hold up better and not melt all over the place.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy—about 2 minutes. Then add vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and milk. Mix everything on low until combined, then crank the mixer to high for another 2 minutes for fluffy, silky frosting that’s just perfect for piping.

Step 7: Assemble the Sandwich Cookies

Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip (I use a Wilton 1M) with your frosting, then pipe beautiful swirls onto the flat side of one cookie. Gently press a second cookie on top for that classic sandwich shape and watch those frosting edges peek out just perfectly.

How to Serve Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a tiny pinch of edible red glitter or sanding sugar on the frosting swirls when serving these cookies for a party—makes them sparkle and feel extra special. Sometimes I also add mini chocolate chips or crushed freeze-dried raspberries on top for a little texture and tang.

Side Dishes

These sandwich cookies pair beautifully with a simple cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk—classics that let the cookie star shine. For a decadent touch, serve alongside fresh strawberries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cozy dessert platter.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve brought these cookies to parties, I like to stack them on pretty cake stands layered with doilies, or arrange them in little cellophane bags tied with red or pink ribbons for easy gifting. For Valentine’s Day, a box lined with tissue paper and a handwritten note always wins hearts. Presentation makes all the difference and these cookies are naturally photogenic!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies in an airtight container in the fridge since the cream cheese frosting is perishable. They stay fresh for up to 4 days, and I actually find the flavors deepen the next day—if you can resist already eating them all!

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies either as assembled sandwiches or just the cookies alone. If freezing with frosting, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag to avoid freezer burn. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight for the best texture. I’ve frozen batches for a rainy day and been so glad I did—it’s a total time saver.

Reheating

If you want your cookies freshly soft again, remove them from the fridge and let sit at room temp for about 30 minutes before serving. I never recommend microwaving because it can make frosting runny, but warming the cookies a bit brings back that fresh-from-the-oven feel.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making these Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe has become a bit of a joyful ritual for me—I love how each batch turns out perfect and gets gobbled up faster than I expect. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just to treat yourself on an ordinary day, the combination of those soft, chocolatey cookies and luscious cream cheese frosting never disappoints. Give this recipe a try, and I’m certain it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen too. Trust me, happiness comes in sandwich cookie form!

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