Valentine’s Day calls for special treats that not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also showcase your love and affection. What could be more fitting than a Red Velvet Cookie Cake? This vibrant, heart-shaped dessert is a beautiful blend of rich red velvet flavor and soft, chewy cookie texture, making it an unforgettable way to celebrate the day of love.
Perfect for sharing with that special someone or as a fun and festive dessert for a Valentine’s Day gathering, the Red Velvet Cookie Cake is a crowd-pleaser. Its striking red color adds a touch of romance to any table, while the combination of cocoa and vanilla in the cookie cake delivers a deliciously unique taste. Topped with a simple cream cheese frosting and a few heart-shaped decorations, this dessert feels both indulgent and homemade. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and a short amount of time, so you can spend more moments enjoying the occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun: The bright red color and heart shape make it the perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day.
- Easy to Make: This cookie cake is simple and requires minimal ingredients—no complicated techniques involved.
- Rich Flavor: The red velvet flavor is a delicious blend of cocoa, vanilla, and a hint of tang from the cream cheese frosting.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the size of the cake, the frosting, or even add personalized decorations to suit the occasion.
- Perfect for Sharing: Ideal for sharing with friends, family, or a loved one, this dessert encourages togetherness.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Red food coloring
- Buttermilk
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Heavy cream (for frosting)
- Heart-shaped sprinkles or decorations (optional)
Variations
- Flavor Options: Add a touch of almond extract for a different flavor twist or incorporate mini chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey bite.
- Frosting Alternatives: Use buttercream frosting instead of cream cheese frosting for a sweeter, more traditional taste.
- Mini Cakes: Make individual mini Red Velvet Cookie Cakes by dividing the dough into smaller portions and baking them in mini pans.
- Vegan Version: Replace the eggs and butter with vegan substitutes like flaxseed meal and dairy-free margarine for a vegan-friendly treat.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a round 9-inch cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the cookie cake once it’s baked.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until fully incorporated.
Step 5: Combine the Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
Step 6: Bake the Cookie Cake
Scoop the dough into the prepared cake pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing.
Step 7: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cookie cake cools, make the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and heavy cream together until smooth and fluffy.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Once the cookie cake has cooled, remove it from the pan and spread the cream cheese frosting on top. You can decorate it with heart-shaped sprinkles, edible glitter, or other fun Valentine’s Day decorations.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overmix: Be careful not to overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added. Overmixing can lead to a dense cookie cake.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best texture, ensure that the butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature before mixing.
- Adjust the Food Coloring: You can adjust the amount of food coloring to get your desired shade of red.
- Check the Cake’s Doneness: The cookie cake may look soft and slightly undercooked when you remove it from the oven, but it will continue to cook as it cools, so don’t worry!
How to Serve
- Serve the cookie cake in wedges, just like a traditional cake.
- Pair it with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- For a romantic touch, serve it with a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce on the side.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Red Velvet Cookie Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If the frosting softens, keep it in the fridge.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie cake either whole or in individual slices. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. It will keep well for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To reheat, let the cookie cake come to room temperature or warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds for a fresh, soft texture.
FAQs
1. Can I make this recipe without buttermilk?
Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
2. Can I use a different frosting for this cookie cake?
Yes! You can use buttercream frosting, whipped cream, or even chocolate ganache as alternatives to cream cheese frosting.
3. How do I know when the cookie cake is done baking?
The cake will be firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
4. Can I make this cookie cake in a different shape?
Yes, you can use a heart-shaped pan or a different shaped cake pan if you want a more festive look.
5. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
You can refrigerate the cookie dough for up to 24 hours before baking if you want to prepare it in advance.
6. Is this cookie cake gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend.
7. Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?
Yes, you can fold in some mini chocolate chips or chunks for added texture and flavor.
8. Can I freeze the cookie cake before frosting it?
Yes, you can freeze the un-frosted cookie cake and then frost it once it’s fully thawed.
9. Can I use a store-bought frosting?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, store-bought cream cheese frosting will work just as well.
10. Can I make this recipe with different food coloring?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different shades, like pink or purple, if you’re celebrating other occasions or just want a different look.
Conclusion
This Red Velvet Cookie Cake is the perfect dessert to share on Valentine’s Day. With its rich, velvety flavor, chewy texture, and sweet cream cheese frosting, it’s a treat that will surely leave a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to indulge. Whether you’re treating yourself or surprising a loved one, this dessert is sure to add a sweet touch to the occasion. Easy to make and delicious to enjoy, the Red Velvet Cookie Cake is a must-try this Valentine’s Day.
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Red Velvet Cookie Cake for Valentine’s Day: A Loveable, Delicious Dessert
- Total Time: 1 hour (includes cooling time)
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This delicious Red Velvet Cookie Cake is a fun and festive dessert perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day. With its rich red color, soft texture, and creamy cream cheese frosting, it’s sure to be a hit with anyone who loves the classic flavor of red velvet cake. It’s easy to make, and the cookie cake style makes it perfect for sharing!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp red food coloring (or as needed)
- 1 tbsp buttermilk (or regular milk if you don’t have buttermilk)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar (depending on desired sweetness)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For Garnish (optional):
- Red heart sprinkles or colored sugar
- Fresh raspberries or edible flowers for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a round 9-inch cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Prepare the Cookie Cake Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
- Add the food coloring and buttermilk to the dough, mixing until the red color is evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough forms. The dough will be soft but not too sticky.
- Bake the Cookie Cake:
- Transfer the dough into the prepared cake pan and press it evenly into the pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The edges should be slightly golden.
- Allow the cookie cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, and beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, and mix until everything is combined.
- Frost the Cookie Cake:
- Once the cookie cake has completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly on top of the cake.
- Decorate with sprinkles, edible flowers, or fresh raspberries for a festive touch.
- Serve:
- Slice and serve! This cake is perfect for sharing on Valentine’s Day.
Notes
- If you want a stronger red color, feel free to add more food coloring, but be careful not to use too much, as it can alter the taste.
- You can substitute regular milk for buttermilk in the cookie dough if needed.
- This cake can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Valentine’s Day Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Valentine’s Day Special
Keywords: Red velvet cookie cake, Valentine’s Day dessert, red velvet cake, cookie cake, cream cheese frosting, easy Valentine’s Day dessert