If you are looking to bring a touch of festive joy and irresistible flavor to your cookie game, the Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are a perfect blend of rich red velvet dough, a hint of cocoa, and a melty chocolate heart nestled right in the center. The contrast of the tender, soft cookies with the smooth Dove Chocolate Hearts creates a decadent treat that feels special yet is surprisingly simple to make. This recipe combines the best elements of color, texture, and taste, making every bite a delight you’ll want to share (or maybe not!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward and pantry-friendly, but each one plays a crucial role in bringing this cookie recipe to life. From the creamy butter that ensures perfect texture to the cocoa powder that deepens the flavor, every item is essential in crafting cookies that are both beautiful and delicious.
- Dove Chocolate Hearts (36 pieces): Freezing these ensures they maintain their shape and melt just enough inside your cookies for a perfect molten center.
- Butter (½ cup, room temperature): Adds richness and tenderness to the dough, helping create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the dough while aiding in creating a tender crumb.
- Large egg (1): Binds the dough together and adds moisture.
- Milk (1 tablespoon): Keeps the dough moist and enhances softness.
- Red food coloring (1 tablespoon): Gives the cookies their signature vibrant red hue that makes them instant eye-catchers.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 ½ teaspoons): Provides a warm, aromatic backdrop that complements the cocoa and chocolate.
- All-purpose flour (1 ¾ cups): Forms the base structure of the cookies.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (¼ cup): Adds a mild chocolate flavor that balances the sweetness and bright red color.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Acts as a leavening agent to give a subtle lift.
- Kosher salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Red sprinkling sugar or sprinkles: Used for a festive coating that adds a delightful crunch and sparkle.
How to Make Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Freeze Chocolate Hearts
Start by placing your Dove Chocolate Hearts in the freezer for at least one hour. This key step ensures the chocolates won’t melt right away when you press them into the warm cookies, allowing for that delightful soft-centered, semi-melted effect everyone loves.
Step 2: Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking, setting the stage for perfectly formed cookies.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat your room temperature butter together with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process is essential to create an airy dough that bakes up tender and soft.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, milk, red food coloring, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is fully combined and the dough distills that vibrant red shade evenly — it’s like magic seeing the dough come alive at this point!
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of flavors and the correct amount of leavening throughout your dough.
Step 6: Incorporate Dry Into Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your butter mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here — a gentle hand will keep your cookies soft rather than tough.
Step 7: Shape and Roll Dough Balls
Scoop out the dough in tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls. Then, roll each ball in red sprinkling sugar or festive sprinkles to add a delightful texture and a pretty finish. Place the coated dough balls spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 8: Bake Cookies
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. You’ll want the edges to be set but the centers still soft and tender — this is the perfect base for the chocolate blossom to shine.
Step 9: Add Chocolate Hearts to Cookies
Once out of the oven, immediately press one frozen Dove Chocolate Heart into the center of each cookie. The warmth of the cookie will gently melt the edges of the chocolate, creating that signature soft and luscious center.
Step 10: Cool Completely
Transfer your cookies to a wire rack to cool fully. This step allows the chocolate to set and the cookies to firm up just enough to handle without sacrificing their soft texture.
How to Serve Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, sprinkle a little powdered sugar or sifted cocoa over the cooled cookies just before serving. Adding a few extra festive sprinkles can turn your cookie presentation into a party-ready showstopper.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or a warm mug of spiced chai. The creamy drinks complement the rich, chocolaty flavors and add a comforting, indulgent layer to the experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these cookies on a decorative platter tied with a velvet ribbon for gift-giving or holiday parties. Alternatively, serve them alongside mini scoop-sized vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them soft and lets the chocolate center remain deliciously gooey.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze them after baking and cooling. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep well for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or refrigerated cookies in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 to 7 minutes, or microwave briefly for 10 to 15 seconds. This warms the chocolate slightly, reviving the melt-in-your-mouth magic without drying out the cookies.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate instead of Dove Chocolate Hearts?
Absolutely! While Dove Chocolate Hearts are wonderful for their smooth melting and shape, you can substitute with other milk chocolates or even small chocolate squares. Just make sure to freeze them beforehand for the best result.
Why is the dough red? Do I have to use food coloring?
The iconic red color comes from the red food coloring, which is key to achieving the classic red velvet look. If you prefer, you can reduce or omit it, but the characteristic vibrant red is part of the charm of these cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
With a bit of swapping, yes! Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum for best texture, and be sure all other ingredients are labeled gluten-free. The cookies should turn out just as enjoyable.
Do I have to roll the dough in red sugar or sprinkles?
Not strictly, but doing so adds a fun crunch and festive sparkle to the cookies’ surface. If you prefer a more understated look, you can skip this step or dust with powdered sugar instead.
How soft or crispy are these cookies?
These cookies are delightfully soft, with just a slight crispness around the edges. The main appeal is the tender texture combined with the gooey chocolate in the center, creating a perfect balance of softness and chewiness.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe a whirl — it’s a heartfelt favorite that brings warmth and sweetness into any kitchen. Once you taste these tender red velvet cookies with their luscious chocolate centers, you’ll understand why they’re so hard to resist. Happy baking and even happier eating!
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
Delight in these festive Red Velvet Chocolate Blossom Cookies featuring a tender red velvet cocoa base topped with a melting Dove Chocolate Heart, perfect for holidays or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Chocolate Hearts
- 36 Dove Chocolate Hearts (1 package, 8.87 ounces)
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
Topping
- Red sprinkling sugar and/or sprinkles
Instructions
- Freeze Chocolate Hearts: Place the Dove Chocolate Hearts into the freezer for at least an hour to ensure they stay solid and don’t melt too quickly when added to the warm cookies.
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar together for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, forming a smooth dough base.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, milk, red food coloring, and pure vanilla extract until the batter is well combined and uniformly colored.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt to distribute the dry ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Dry Into Wet: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until blended to avoid overworking and toughening the cookies.
- Shape and Roll Dough Balls: Using a tablespoon, scoop and form 1-inch dough balls. Roll each ball in red sprinkling sugar or sprinkles to coat, then place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Add Chocolate Hearts to Cookies: Upon removing the cookies from the oven, immediately press one frozen Dove Chocolate Heart into the center of each cookie allowing it to soften slightly from the residual heat.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool thoroughly, enabling the chocolate centers to set properly and the cookie texture to firm up.
Notes
- Ensure the Dove Chocolate Hearts are thoroughly frozen to prevent premature melting.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to keep cookies tender.
- Using parchment paper on your baking sheet helps with even baking and easy cleanup.
- Soft centers are key; avoid overbaking to maintain chewy texture.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature.
