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These Red Velvet Kiss Cookies just might be the most fun, delicious, festive and romantic cookies that you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting!
Romantic? It's funny but it seems there's something unexplainably romantic, perhaps even a bit magical about anything labeled "red velvet", whether it's cake, cupcakes, fudge, brownies, ice cream etc. I've noticed that often, people's eye's light up when "red velvet" is mentioned? At the fancy cupcake shops, it's usually the red velvet variety that sells out first. If you don't believe my assessment, whip up a batch of these delicious Red Velvet Kiss Cookies and you'll see exactly what I mean as they disappear right before your eyes!
A while back, I tried a recipe from Cooks Illustrated for Chocolate Sugar Cookies. They were some of our favorite cookies ever with a double dose of delicious chocolate, deep crackly surfaces, chewy centers and crisp, sugary exteriors. I had some fun with that recipe, adapted it with just a few minor changes to make these pretty, Red Velvet Kiss Cookies.
A splash of red food coloring and a coating of red sanding sugar transform the chocolate cookies into red velvet beauties. Although red food coloring is not on my list of frequently used ingredients, I'm okay with some rules going out the window for special, occasional splurges.
A Hershey's Kiss in the center of each cookie makes a tasty and attractive finishing touch. I've used the traditional Hershey's Hugs Kisses, as well as their Candy Cane Kisses with delicious results.
These Red Velvet Kiss Cookies are a fun project to do with kids as there are lots of steps along the way that they can help with. If the children are a little older, this is an easy enough recipe that they can do it on their own with just a bit of supervision.
If you enjoy giving gifts from the kitchen these cookies are perfect. They make a beautiful presentation in a fancy little gift box or on a pretty disposable plate enclosed with cellophane and tied with festive ribbons. I love to serve these Red Velvet Kiss Cookies on an elegant cake stand as part of a dessert buffet.
Go ahead, whip up a batch of these Red Velvet Kiss Cookies! You'll see exactly what I mean about fun, festive, delicious and romantic!
P.S. If you like Red Velvet, we've got some crazy good fudge to share with you too: Winter White Red Velvet Fudge. It's perfect for dessert platers gift giving and holiday celebrations.
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- 14 tablespoons butter
- 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder, (use regular, not the extra dark cocoa)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg plus one egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon red liquid food coloring
- 1 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup red sanding sugar*
- 1 12- ounce bag Hershey's Hugs**, for topping (you can use either the milk chocolate stripped Hugs or the red an white peppermint striped ones which are available around the Christmas holidays)
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, melt 10 tablespoons of the butter in the microwave. Cut the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in to 6-8 pieces, add to the melted butter and stir (this helps to cool down the melted butter so it won't be too hot later when the eggs are added). Set aside.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and baking powder.
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Add the brown sugar, vanilla, red food coloring and salt to the melted butter. Stir well to combine. Add the egg and egg yolk and stir until smooth.
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Add flour mixture and stir with a wooden (or sturdy) spoon just until combined and flour is incorporated. Add chocolate chips and mix just until incorporated.
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Put red sanding sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll the dough into balls, about 1 ½ tablespoons for each cookie. Roll the balls in the sanding sugar until well coated and place on prepared baking sheets.
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Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, until they have puffed and have cracks running through the top, about 12-14 minutes. Be careful not to over bake the cookies or they will be dry. As soon as the cookies emerge from the oven place a Hershey's hug in the center of each cookie. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
* Sanding sugar is just the red colored sugar you see at the grocery store. It’s especially popular around Christmas time. Most larger grocery stores will carry this in the baking aisle.
** If Hershey's hugs are not available where you live, substitute some other type of fun candy in the center of the cookies.
Suzy @ The Mediterranean Dish says
Your grand daughters are so beautiful, Chris! Somehow little hands trend to make the food sweeter, right? Love this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Doristice@centurytel.net says
I don't know what red sanding sugar is. I think this is the first time I heard about red sanding sugar
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Doristice, Good question! Sanding sugar is just the red colored sugar you see at the markets. It’s especially popular around Christmas time. Most larger grocery stores will carry this in the baking aisle. Hope you enjoy the cookies.
Kelly says
Sprinkles
Quilter Carol says
Where do you use the 4 Tablespoons of butter?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Carol, it's used in the 2nd part of step 2.
Valya @ Valya' s Taste of Home says
These cookies are amazingly delicious! And your pictures are beautiful! 🙂
Dee Pruitt says
Grandchildren are adorable, what do they call you?? I have three, still a little to small for baking but it won't be long. By the way I absolutely love your site, it's awesome. Thanks you for sharing I know it''s lot of work!
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Dee, they called me Grammy. The little one say GG 🙂 Thanks for your kind words. Hope you have a lovely holiday Dee!
Muna Kenny says
Your grand daughters are so cute, may God bless them! The cookies look amazing 🙂
madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
Chris, Building memories - this is just priceless. Oh, and the cookies looked yummy.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
It looks like a good time was had by all and with a delicious ending. 🙂
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Chris I always look forward to posts with the girls' baking adventures. They are going to have the most wonderful memories when they are older. Annie sounds like a pretty wonderful chef in charge and those biscuits... yum! I can't believe how big they're all getting. Wasn't the little man born just last week?
lena says
lovely cookies!! i can imagine all the fun going on in the house making these cookies! kudps to annie and all the junior kitchen stars!
Linda says
You always make the most delicious looking food and these are right up there with your top recipes. Can't wait to try them.
Cristina Helsel says
These look amazing, and I love how you included the grandbabies., these are memories that no one can take away.
Vicki Bensinger says
I love how you shared this story with all the photos. Your grandkids have grown up so much since the first time you wrote about them. Annie has turned out to be quite the chef as have the rest of the girls. Their cookies look perfect and delicious. Thanks for sharing this fun experience with us. Happy Thanksgiving!
Lynn says
The cookies look good! Bet you all had a blast making (and eating) them:@)
Susan Fonville says
have to know...
how many goodies did the surprise guest eat??? is he taking after the resident mouse at your house?
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
They look incredibly adorable and delicious....just like your grand daughters. Thumbs up for you, Annie.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
What fun!! Annie is quite an organizer for 8 years old! She could come and whip up some cookies for me here in Australia anytime. She can bring along all her helpers too. 🙂
sue/the view from great island says
When I saw the name of your post in my feed, i rushed right over, and had visions in my head of how these would look --- as usual you surpassed my expectations....and those girls are too much, what a lucky woman you are 🙂
Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says
I have been following your "The "Why we love London" series on Instagram and I just wish I was there - one of my favorite places too! Speaking of favorites - this cookie is going to become a new favorite for me. Looks great!!!
Antoinette T says
Would these be freezable?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Antoinette, yes definitely!
Mahnoor Khan says
What can we use instead of red sanding sugar? will the sanding sugar matter or is it just for color or for he sweetness? if i add the same amount of sugar instead of sanding sugar? will it be okay? Please reply ASAP 🙂 thank you! and btw when i was Annie's age i was like her 😀 checking and baking.... LOL the smalles one was the cutest!! <3 <3
Chris Scheuer says
Regular sugar will work fine. The red sanding sugar just makes them look prettier.
Monique says
My favorite posts include your little ones..LOL at the sad face:)
Beautiful clics and kidlets you guys..!
Charlotte Moore says
Love red velvet cake and cookies. Sweet memories!!!!
cheri says
Hi Chris, looks like a good time was had by all, well maybe except getting caught in the end. These cookies are perfect for the holidays!
Wendy says
Love Grammy and Annie's matching blue nail polish! Oh, are there cookies in the post? I was distracted by the wonderful London update. Your adventures with the grands are the best "recipe for love" I have seen posted anywhere! 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Ginny Hartzler says
They look totally awesome. But even better are your three beautiful girls. You are for sure turning them into great cooks just like you. So we both have eight year old Annies! It is very hard paying attention to the cookies because my eyes have been on the girls! I always love seeing them, and how much they are growing.