Homemade Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
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Some Christmas cookies just have that instant wow factor, and Homemade Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are one of them. The deep red color, soft texture, and powdered sugar crinkles make them look bakery-worthy, but they’re actually very easy to make at home. The flavor is a perfect mix of light cocoa and sweetness, and they stay soft for days, which is always a win.

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Why You’ll Love These Delicious Homemade Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
- Soft, chewy, and lightly chocolatey with that classic red velvet taste, reminiscent of a homemade cookie. That’s why you will love making homemade crinkle cookies.
- The powdered sugar coating bakes into a gorgeous crinkle pattern every time.
- Great for holidays, cookie trays, or as a fun baking project with friends.
- No complicated steps, and the dough comes together quickly.

Ingredients for Homemade Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Bake a batch of homemade red velvet crinkle cookies to bring a touch of color and sweetness to your holidays. These cookies feature a soft, chewy texture with a classic red velvet flavor, perfect for any holiday gathering or cookie exchange. Their powdered sugar coating gives them a beautiful, snowy look. Try these easy-to-make treats and make your holidays extra special. Get the full recipe now.
Homemade Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies recipe
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, plus 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions How to Make Homemade Christmas Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
- Whisk cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and flour in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, stir buttermilk with red food coloring and vanilla extract. Set aside.
- Cream softened butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add the egg and egg yolk, then mix until combined.
- Alternate adding dry and wet ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing just until you no longer see dry flour. This is how the homemade cookies come together perfectly.
- Mix in the vinegar.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to drop dough directly into powdered sugar.
- Coat completely in powdered sugar and place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart. The crinkle cookies will naturally form a lovely pattern.
- Bake Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for 9–11 minutes. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack. The homemade cookies should have the perfect texture.

Storing Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
- Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving, and they’ll still taste freshly baked.
Easy Variations
- Mix in white chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
- Add a touch of peppermint extract for a seasonal flavor.
- Make smaller cookies for bite-sized treats that are great for parties.
FAQs About Red Velvet Crinkle Cookie Baking
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
- Yes, but buttermilk adds tenderness and a slight tang that’s classic for red velvet.
Why add vinegar to the red velvet crinkle cookies recipe?
- Vinegar reacts with the baking soda to give the homemade cookies a soft texture and boost the red color.
Can I prepare the Red Velvet Crinkle Cookie dough ahead of time?
- Yes. You can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Homemade dough can be prepared in advance.

In conclusion, this red velvet crinkle cookies recipe is an easy way to bring a pop of color and a hint of cocoa to any dessert table. If you are baking for the holidays or simply want something sweet to share, these Christmas cookies are always a hit.
Follow on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for recipe updates, baking tips, and plenty of sweet inspiration.
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Homemade Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ cup buttermilk or milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Whisk cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and flour in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In another bowl, stir buttermilk with red food coloring and vanilla extract. Set aside.
- Cream softened butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add the egg and egg yolk, then mix until combined.
- Alternate adding dry and wet ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing just until no dry flour remains.
- Mix in the vinegar.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to drop dough directly into powdered sugar.
- Coat completely in powdered sugar and place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes.
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
- Chill time helps control spreading, so don’t skip it.
- Drop dough directly into powdered sugar instead of rolling first, this helps keep the crinkle pattern.
- Baking time is short to keep the centers soft. Cookies will continue to set while resting on the baking sheet.
- For a brighter red color, use gel food coloring instead of liquid.
- If using salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt.
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