Description
Delight in these festive Red Velvet Snowballs, a soft and tender cookie coated in powdered sugar for a beautiful snowy effect. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any celebration, these cookies combine the rich flavor of cocoa and the classic charm of red velvet in a bite-sized treat.
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
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these ensures even distribution of leavening and chocolate flavor in the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This creates a smooth base for your cookie dough.
- Add Egg, Vanilla, and Food Coloring: Beat in the egg until fully incorporated. Then stir in the vanilla extract and red food coloring until the mixture reaches a consistent, vibrant red hue.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Form the Snowballs: Scoop the dough by tablespoonfuls and roll into smooth balls. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and slightly firm to the touch but still soft inside.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and while still warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat completely. This step creates the classic snowball appearance.
- Cool and Serve: Place the coated cookies on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, they’re ready to enjoy or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Softened butter is essential to ensure smooth mixing and a tender cookie texture.
- Use good quality red food coloring for a vibrant red color without affecting taste.
- Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while warm helps the sugar stick better and creates a beautiful snowy effect.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For an extra festive touch, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or a drop of almond extract to the dough.
