Name: Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed; ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon red food coloring; 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; ¼ cup natural cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 ½ cups white chocolate, chopped (or white chocolate chips)

If you’re anything like me, you love a cookie that’s both visually stunning and absolutely delicious — that’s why this Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen. It combines the classic rich, velvety flavor of red velvet with the sweet creaminess of white chocolate chunks, and trust me, once you try these, you’ll see why my family goes crazy for them. They’re soft, chewy, and colorful enough to brighten up any cookie tray or afternoon coffee break.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance: The deep red cocoa flavor meets creamy white chocolate in every bite for a unique twist on traditional cookies.
Soft & Chewy Texture: I love how these cookies stay tender inside, with just a slight crisp on the edges.
Simple Ingredients: No fancy elements here, just pantry staples combined for a spectacular treat.
Highly Customizable: You can tweak add-ins or swap white chocolate for other mix-ins depending on what you have on hand.

The image shows several round red velvet cookies with a soft, slightly wrinkled texture, each topped with uneven white chocolate chunks scattered on the surface. The cookies are placed on a light, speckled baking sheet that has a subtle rough texture. One cookie is partly broken, showing a rich red interior with bits of white chocolate. The red color is deep and vibrant, contrasting strongly with the creamy white chocolate pieces. The cookies are arranged close to each other, filling the frame. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies, red velvet cookie recipe, white chocolate cookies, colorful cookie ideas, easy cookie recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies Recipe really lies in a few simple, high-quality ingredients that work together to create those soft, colorful cookies you want to bake again and again. I recommend using real cocoa powder and a good quality white chocolate for the best flavor.

Flat lay of a small mound of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl with packed light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar, two large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl with vibrant red liquid food coloring, a small pile of all-purpose flour, a small mound of natural cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl with baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl with fine salt, and chopped white chocolate chunks arranged neatly in a small white ceramic bowl, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies, red velvet cookie recipe, white chocolate cookies, colorful cookie ideas, easy cookie recipes

Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature to easily cream with the sugars, giving the cookies that soft texture.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note, helping keep the cookies chewy.
Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and a touch of crispness on the edges.
Large Eggs: I like to use them at room temp so the dough comes together smoothly.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor with a warm note that balances the cocoa and red velvet taste.
Red Food Coloring: This gives those cookies their iconic red hue — gel coloring works best for vibrant color without thinning the dough.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough, providing structure without toughness.
Natural Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder is key for that classic red velvet flavor.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread just right.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all those flavors.
White Chocolate: Chopped into chunks or chips, these pockets of sweetness are what make these cookies extra special.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I really enjoy about this Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can go classic, or give it your own spin depending on what you have in your pantry or how adventurous you’re feeling.

White Chocolate & Macadamia Nuts: I once added toasted macadamia nuts and the crunch paired beautifully with the creamy white chocolate.
Dairy-Free Version: Use dairy-free butter and white chocolate chips made from coconut milk to make these vegan-friendly.
Red Velvet with Dark Chocolate Chips: For a deeper chocolate taste, swap white chocolate pieces with bittersweet chips—my chocolate-loving friends rave about this.
Spiced Red Velvet: Add a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder to the dry mix for an unexpected warmth that really woke up my taste buds!

How to Make Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepping for Success

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper — this prevents sticking and helps the bottoms stay soft rather than crunchy. It’s a simple step, but one that pays off every single time. I always make sure my butter is at room temperature before mixing; it creams more easily, which leads to that nice airy base for the dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter with both the light brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture looks light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This aeration step is where your cookies get that amazing texture, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla & Color

Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, beating on low speed to keep the batter smooth but not overworked. Mix in the vanilla extract. Now for some fun: add the red food coloring and mix until the color is fully incorporated and vibrant. Gel food coloring works best here so you don’t add too much liquid.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, natural cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the cocoa and leavening agents are evenly distributed and prevents clumps in the cookie dough. I’ve learned the hard way that skipping this can make the texture uneven.

Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and beat just until combined — don’t overmix or you’ll end up with tough cookies. Then fold in about 1¼ cups of chopped white chocolate; these little pockets of sweetness are what make the cookies truly special. Save the remaining white chocolate to press on top before baking for that beautiful glossy finish.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

Use a medium cookie scoop or spoon to portion out 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of cookie dough. Roll each into a smooth ball with your hands — this helps keep the edges even and leads to prettier cookies. Place them spaced about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-11 minutes. You want them slightly underdone and soft in the middle for the perfect chewy bite. After a minute out of the oven, gently press the reserved white chocolate pieces into each cookie for a gorgeous melty top.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes – this is key because they firm up a bit during cooling. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you sneak one warm (like I do), you’ll get a little melted white chocolate heaven!

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Pro Tips for Making Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Use Gel Food Coloring: It gives you a vivid red without adding too much liquid, keeping your dough the perfect consistency.
Don’t Overmix Dry Ingredients: Overmixing can make your cookies tough; mix just until the flour disappears.
Roll Dough Balls by Hand: Rolling the dough gives the cookies their smooth edges and even shape, which really makes a difference in appearance.
Monitor the Bake Time Closely: Aim for slightly underdone centers to keep cookies soft and chewy—you’ll thank me later!

How to Serve Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies Recipe

A stack of six soft red cookies is shown on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a deep red color and a slightly uneven texture with small cracks. The top cookie is decorated with scattered pieces of white chocolate that stand out against the red base. In the background, more red cookies with similar white chocolate pieces are placed on a white plate. The overall look is warm and inviting, focusing closely on the rich red color and creamy white chocolate details, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies, red velvet cookie recipe, white chocolate cookies, colorful cookie ideas, easy cookie recipes

Garnishes

I like to serve these cookies just as they are — those white chocolate chunks really shine on their own. But for a festive touch, especially around the holidays, sprinkling a pinch of coarse white sugar or edible glitter over the top before baking adds a little sparkle. You might also try a dusting of powdered sugar if you want a snowy look.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic paired with a cold glass of milk or a cup of rich dark coffee. When I serve them at brunch, I’ll often throw out some fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a seriously indulgent combo that everyone appreciates.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to stack them in a clear glass jar tied with a red ribbon — they make such a pretty gift or centerpiece. You can also layer them between wax paper in colorful tins for a charming homemade gift idea. And if you’re feeling extra festive, drizzle a little melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies and add some festive sprinkles for a party-ready look.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Whenever we have leftovers (which doesn’t happen often!), I store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay perfectly soft for about 3 days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate for up to a week, but keep in mind they might lose some of that softness over time. I usually take them out a few minutes before serving to warm up slightly.

Freezing

I’ve had great success freezing the cookie dough balls before baking. Scoop the dough onto a lined baking sheet, freeze until firm (about 1-2 hours), then transfer the balls to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you want fresh cookies, just thaw them in the fridge overnight and bake as usual — you’ll get that fresh-baked feeling any time!

Reheating

To reheat leftover cookies, I pop them in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This refreshes the softness and slightly melts the white chocolate again — trust me, it’s worth the extra step.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of white chocolate?

Absolutely! If you prefer milk or dark chocolate, you can swap out the white chocolate for your favorites. Just keep in mind it will change the flavor profile, making the cookie richer and less sweet.
Why are my red velvet cookies not red enough?

Using gel food coloring instead of liquid helps achieve a vibrant red color without thinning your dough. Also, some cocoa powders can darken the dough, so natural unsweetened cocoa powder is best.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend that includes xanthan gum. Just be mindful that texture might vary slightly, but the cookies will still taste wonderful.
How can I tell when the cookies are done?

Look for edges that are just starting to brown with centers still soft and slightly underbaked. They’ll firm up as they cool, giving you that perfect chewy texture.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies Recipe comes together so effortlessly yet delivers such incredible flavor and texture. When I first tried this recipe, I was surprised by how simple tweaks—like rolling the dough balls by hand and pressing extra white chocolate on top—made all the difference. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do with my family and friends. Go ahead and give it a try—you’ll be so glad you did!