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3. Velvety Red Velvet Swirl Delight

These gorgeous red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting swirls are basically like eating cake in cookie form—and who doesn't love that? The soft, pillowy texture and that classic cocoa-vanilla flavor combo make these an instant hit. Fair warning: people will literally fight over the last one!
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Total Time 36 minutes
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream together butter and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in food coloring and vanilla.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  5. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag with corner snipped off.
  6. Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
  7. Pipe a small amount of cream cheese mixture on top of each cookie and use a toothpick to swirl it into the red dough, creating a marbled effect.
  8. Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are set but centers still look slightly underdone.
  9. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.