Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies capture the essence of the famous Crumbl treat with a perfect balance of flavors. The combination of red velvet and cream cheese creates a timeless, decadent pairing. The dough bakes up soft and chewy, with a subtle cocoa undertone that pairs beautifully with the tangy cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re hosting a party or treating yourself, these cookies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and make everyone ask for the recipe!

Ingredients

For the Red Velvet Cookies:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar (70g)
• ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed (65g) – reduce to ¼ cup for less sweet cookies
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1-2 teaspoons red gel food color
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (163g)
• 2-3 tablespoons natural cocoa powder (start with 2 and add more if you want more chocolatey cookies)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (85g)
• 6 oz cream cheese, room temperature (170g)
• 1 cup icing sugar, sifted
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

For the Red Velvet Cookies:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the egg, vinegar, red gel food color, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. Gently press the dough balls to flatten slightly, as they will spread just a little while baking.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is still soft. The cookies will continue to cook slightly on the baking sheet after removing them from the oven.
9. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the sifted icing sugar and vanilla extract and continue to beat until fluffy and well combined.
3. Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous amount of the cream cheese frosting on top of each cookie.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields approximately 16-18 cookies, depending on the size of your dough balls. Preparation time is about 15 minutes, and baking takes 8-10 minutes. Once the cookies are cool, frosting them takes an additional 5-10 minutes.

Variations

• Add-ins: For extra flavor and texture, add chopped walnuts or white chocolate chips to the cookie dough before baking.
• Vegan Version: Substitute the butter with a vegan butter substitute, and use a dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting to make the cookies vegan-friendly.
• Less Sweet Option: For a less sweet version, reduce the amount of sugar in the cookie dough and frosting or omit the frosting altogether for a more subtle flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Allow the cookies to come to room temperature before serving. You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough. Simply scoop and roll the dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, and once frozen, transfer to an airtight container or bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

FAQs

1. Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel food coloring?

Gel food coloring is recommended for the best color payoff, but you can use liquid food coloring if you prefer. However, keep in mind that liquid food coloring may alter the consistency of the dough slightly, so you may need to add a little extra flour.

2. What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?

If you don’t have cream cheese, you can make a simple buttercream frosting by using butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. It won’t have the tang of cream cheese, but it will still taste delicious.

3. Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, these cookies freeze well! Freeze the cookies without frosting in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature and add the frosting.

4. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate the cookie dough for up to 24 hours before baking. This will allow the flavors to meld and help the cookies spread less during baking.

5. Can I use a stand mixer to make the dough?

Yes, you can use a stand mixer to make the dough. Just be sure to mix the ingredients on low speed to avoid overworking the dough.

6. How can I make the cookies softer?

For softer cookies, reduce the baking time by a minute or two. Be careful not to overbake them, as they will firm up as they cool.

7. Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?

Yes, you can substitute dark brown sugar for light brown sugar. It will give the cookies a slightly richer flavor, but the difference is minimal.

8. Can I make these cookies without the red color?

Yes, if you prefer to skip the red color, you can make a regular chocolate cookie with the same recipe, just without the food coloring.

9. Can I add nuts to the cookie dough?

Yes, adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough will add a great texture and flavor contrast. Just be sure to fold them in gently after mixing the dough.

10. How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden, but the centers are still soft. They will continue to cook slightly on the baking sheet once removed from the oven.

Conclusion

These Crumbl Copycat Red Velvet Cookies are the perfect combination of chewy, chocolatey goodness topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply indulging in a sweet treat, these cookies will impress with their vibrant color, rich flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, they’re a must-try for any red velvet lover!

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