4 Ways with Red Velvet
CREAM CHEESE-STUFFED RED VELVET COOKIES
Makes about 28 cookies
Add a pop of color to your cookie exchange with these red-hued beauties. Moist and chewy red velvet cookies get a dollop of sweetened cream cheese stuffed in the center and a decorative white chocolate drizzle. When finished, each cookie will look like a perfectly wrapped present with a sweet surprise inside.
1½ cups (340 grams) unsalted butter, softened
2¼ cups (450 grams) plus 3½ tablespoons (42 grams) granulated sugar, divided
3 large eggs (150 grams), room temperature
2 tablespoons (30 grams) red liquid food coloring
1½ teaspoons (6 grams) vanilla extract*
4½ cups (563 grams) all-purpose flour
½ cup (43 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1½ tablespoons (22.5 grams) baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
Garnish: melted white chocolate
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and 2¼ cups (450 grams) granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in food coloring and vanilla.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon
