Description
These Red Velvet Blossom Cookies feature rich, cocoa-infused red velvet dough rolled in festive red sugar or sprinkles and topped with a chilled Dove chocolate heart for a delightful melt-in-your-mouth experience. Perfectly soft and chewy with a hint of vanilla, they make a colorful and charming treat for any occasion, especially Valentine’s Day or holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Hearts
- 36 Dove Chocolate Hearts (1 package, 8.87 ounces)
Dough
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Red sprinkling sugar and/or sprinkles, for rolling
Instructions
- Freeze Chocolate Hearts: Place the Dove chocolate hearts into the freezer for at least one hour. This ensures they stay solid and won’t melt too quickly when baked atop the warm cookies.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, followed by the milk, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth in texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed or folding gently until just blended. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Using a tablespoon, scoop out dough and roll each portion into a 1-inch ball. Roll each dough ball in red colored sugar and/or sprinkles to coat evenly, adding a festive crunch and color.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Top with Frozen Chocolate Hearts: Immediately upon removing the cookies from the oven, press one frozen Dove chocolate heart into the center of each cookie. The residual heat will gently soften the chocolate without melting it completely.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the chocolate set and prevents the cookies from breaking.
Notes
- Freezing the chocolate hearts beforehand is crucial to prevent them from melting completely during baking, retaining their distinct shape and texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookies.
- These cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For an extra festive touch, use themed sprinkles or colored sugars to match holidays or celebrations.
- If you want softer cookies, reduce baking time by 1-2 minutes; for a firmer edge, bake slightly longer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Red velvet cookies, chocolate blossom cookies, Dove chocolate cookies, holiday cookies, Valentine’s Day cookies
