Red Velvet Chocolate Crinkle

Featured in: Warm Seasonal Bakes

This treat combines the rich, tangy flavor of red velvet with the chewy, cracked texture of chocolate crinkle dough. By chilling the dough before baking, each cookie develops a tender center with a delicate crackled sugary exterior. Simple steps include mixing dry cocoa and flour with wet butter and eggs, enhanced with vanilla and vinegar for depth. Rolled in granulated and powdered sugar, these cookies bake evenly at 350°F, yielding 24 soft, festive bites perfect for any occasion.

Updated on Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:59:00 GMT
Freshly baked red velvet chocolate crinkle cookies, crackled tops and powdered sugar coating. Pin It
Freshly baked red velvet chocolate crinkle cookies, crackled tops and powdered sugar coating. | lushkettle.com

A delightful combination of classic red velvet flavor and chewy chocolate crinkle cookies, perfect for holidays or any special treat.

I first made these red velvet chocolate crinkle cookies for a holiday gathering, and they quickly became a crowd favorite with their vibrant color & soft texture.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 1 2/3 cups (210 g)
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: 1/4 cup (20 g)
  • Baking powder: 1 1/2 teaspoons
  • Baking soda: 1/4 teaspoon
  • Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
  • Unsalted butter, softened: 1/2 cup (115 g)
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200 g), plus 1/4 cup (30 g) for rolling
  • Eggs, room temperature: 2 large
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • White vinegar: 1 teaspoon
  • Red food coloring (liquid or gel): 1 tablespoon
  • Powdered sugar: 1/2 cup (60 g) for rolling

Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, & salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter & Sugar:
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter & granulated sugar until light & fluffy.
Add Eggs & Flavorings:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well. Add vanilla extract, vinegar, & red food coloring. Mix until combined.
Combine Mixtures:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
Chill Dough:
Cover the dough & refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm enough to handle.
Prep Baking Sheet:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Form Dough Balls:
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of chilled dough & roll into balls.
Roll in Sugars:
Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, then generously in powdered sugar to coat.
Arrange & Bake:
Place coated dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 11-13 minutes, until cookies are puffed & cracked but centers remain soft.
Cool Cookies:
Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
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My family loves making these together, especially rolling each dough ball in sugar & watching the cookies crackle in the oven.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, measuring cups & spoons, parchment paper, baking sheets, wire cooling rack

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, & milk (butter). May contain traces of nuts. Always check labels if you have allergies.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 110. Total fat: 4 g. Carbohydrates: 17 g. Protein: 1 g per cookie.

Mouthwatering red velvet chocolate crinkle cookies, a deep red color with beautiful crinkled texture. Pin It
Mouthwatering red velvet chocolate crinkle cookies, a deep red color with beautiful crinkled texture. | lushkettle.com

Enjoy these cookies with chilled milk or cream cheese frosting for a special treat.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What makes the cookies red velvet?

The vibrant red comes from adding red food coloring to the dough along with a touch of white vinegar, which enhances the flavor and color.

How does chilling the dough affect the final texture?

Chilling firms up the dough, helping to prevent spreading and resulting in the distinctive chewy centers with cracked surfaces.

Why are the cookies rolled in two types of sugar?

Rolling first in granulated then powdered sugar creates the signature crackled look and adds a sweet, delicate crust.

Can I add extra chocolate to the dough?

Yes, folding in chocolate chips before chilling enhances the chocolate flavor and adds pockets of melted chocolate in each bite.

What is the best way to store these treats?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to maintain freshness and softness.

Are these suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, the ingredients exclude meat products, making them ideal for a vegetarian diet.

Red Velvet Chocolate Crinkle

Soft red velvet dough rolled in sugar, baked to a cracked chocolate delight.

Time to Prep
20 mins
Time to Cook
12 mins
Full Prep Time
32 mins
Created By Samantha Reeves


Skill Level Easy

Culinary Tradition American

Portion 24 Serving Size

Dietary Details Meat-Free

What You Need

Dry Ingredients

01 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
02 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
05 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 1 cup granulated sugar
03 2 large eggs, room temperature
04 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 1 teaspoon white vinegar
06 1 tablespoon red food coloring (liquid or gel)

For Rolling

01 1/2 cup powdered sugar
02 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Steps

Step 01

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 03

Incorporate Eggs and Flavorings: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract, vinegar, and red food coloring until fully combined.

Step 04

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet, stirring until just combined.

Step 05

Chill Dough: Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes, or until firm enough to handle.

Step 06

Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 07

Portion Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll each into a ball.

Step 08

Coat Dough Balls: Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, then coat generously with powdered sugar.

Step 09

Arrange for Baking: Place coated dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Step 10

Bake Cookies: Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until cookies are puffed and cracked on the surface but still soft in the center.

Step 11

Cool Cookies: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Parchment paper
  • Baking sheets
  • Wire cooling rack

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens and reach out to your doctor with concerns.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and milk (butter).
  • May contain traces of nuts due to shared processing facilities.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Details offered for informational purposes, not as a substitute for professional health guidance.
  • Calories: 110
  • Fats: 4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Proteins: 1 g