Red Velvet Cookie Cake for Valentine’s Day

Looking to make this Valentine’s Day extra sweet? This Red Velvet Cookie Cake is the perfect way to do it! With its rich, velvety texture, decadent cream cheese frosting, and beautiful red color, this cookie cake is not only stunning to look at but also irresistible to taste. Whether you’re treating your loved ones or enjoying a slice for yourself, this dessert is guaranteed to make anyone feel extra special. Trust me, it’s a game-changer when it comes to Valentine’s Day treats!

Why You’ll Love Red Velvet Cookie Cake for Valentine’s Day

This cookie cake is one of those desserts that hits all the right notes—sweet, indulgent, and oh-so-pretty. Here’s why it’s bound to become your Valentine’s Day favorite:

Vibrant and Gorgeous: The bold red color makes this cookie cake the perfect centerpiece for a Valentine’s Day celebration. It’s like a love letter in dessert form!

Decadent Cream Cheese Frosting: The tangy cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with the sweet, slightly cocoa flavor of the red velvet cookie base. It’s a match made in dessert heaven.

Super Easy to Make: You get the look and flavor of a layered cake, but without the fuss! No fancy frosting skills required—just spread that cream cheese frosting on top and let the magic happen.

One Big Cookie: It’s a cookie cake! So much easier to serve than individual cookies or cupcakes, and it’s just fun to dig into with a fork (or your hands!).

Customizable: You can even add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or a cute message to personalize it for your special someone.

Ingredients

This Red Velvet Cookie Cake is made with just a few simple ingredients:

Butter: Unsalted butter makes the base of the cookie cake wonderfully soft and rich.

Sugar: Granulated sugar to bring the sweetness and help the cake come together.

Egg: A large egg binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.

Red Food Coloring: This is what gives the cookie cake that beautiful, vibrant red hue. Use liquid or gel food coloring.

Cocoa Powder: Just a little cocoa powder adds that signature flavor of red velvet, giving the cookie cake that perfect chocolatey undertone.

Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla to round out the flavor of the cookie cake.

All-Purpose Flour: The base ingredient that gives the cookie cake its structure.

Baking Soda & Salt: These help the cookie cake rise and maintain its texture.

Cream Cheese: The key ingredient for the tangy, smooth frosting.

Powdered Sugar: This makes the cream cheese frosting nice and sweet, without being overly sugary.

Vanilla Extract (for frosting): Another splash of vanilla adds depth to the frosting flavor.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Ready to create a dessert that will make anyone swoon? Let’s get started!

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a round 9-inch cake pan (or line it with parchment paper) to ensure your cookie cake comes out smoothly.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, and mix until well combined. Then, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, and gradually add it to the wet ingredients. Mix until everything is just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 3: Bake the Cookie Cake

Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared cake pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cookie cake will continue to firm up as it cools, so don’t worry if it’s a little soft when it first comes out of the oven. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookie cake cools, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, mixing until you reach a creamy consistency. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more powdered sugar if you like it sweeter.

Step 5: Frost and Decorate

Once the cookie cake is completely cool, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the top. You can use an offset spatula to make it smooth, or get creative with a decorative swirl! If you want to add extra flair, sprinkle some red and white heart-shaped sprinkles on top or pipe a cute Valentine’s message with the frosting.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

Once you’ve decorated the cookie cake to your heart’s content, slice it up and serve! It’s perfect for sharing with someone special.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 10
Calories per serving: 320

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

How to Serve Red Velvet Cookie Cake for Valentine’s Day

This dessert is a showstopper on its own, but if you want to make it extra special, here are a few ideas:

With Fresh Berries: Add a handful of fresh strawberries or raspberries on the side for a fresh, tart contrast to the sweet cookie cake.

A Glass of Milk: You can’t go wrong with a classic! Serve the cookie cake with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate treat.

Topped with Ice Cream: Scoop a little vanilla or cream cheese ice cream on top of a warm slice of the cookie cake—talk about indulgence!

For Breakfast (Just Kidding, But Seriously): Who says you can’t enjoy this for breakfast? It’s Valentine’s Day, after all.

Additional Tips

Here are a few tips to ensure your Red Velvet Cookie Cake is a success:

Even Baking: Make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking to ensure the cookie cake bakes evenly.

Perfect Frosting: If you want a thicker layer of frosting, feel free to double the cream cheese frosting recipe!

Storage: Store any leftover cookie cake in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 3 days (but honestly, it probably won’t last that long!).

Make Ahead: You can prepare the cookie dough a day ahead and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just let it come to room temperature before spreading it into the pan.

Mix in Chocolate Chips: For a little extra indulgence, fold in some white or dark chocolate chips into the cookie dough before baking.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use a different pan size?
A1: Yes! If you don’t have a 9-inch round cake pan, you can use an 8-inch pan, or even a square pan. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.

Q2: Can I use store-bought frosting?
A2: You sure can! If you’re short on time, feel free to grab some pre-made cream cheese frosting. But homemade is always the best for flavor!

Q3: Can I make this cookie cake ahead of time?
A3: Yes, you can make the cookie cake a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just wait to frost it until the day you plan to serve it.

Q4: Can I use a different frosting flavor?
A4: Of course! While cream cheese frosting is the classic choice for red velvet, you can use buttercream or whipped cream if you prefer something different.

Q5: Can I make this gluten-free?
A5: Absolutely! You can use a gluten-free flour blend as a substitute for the all-purpose flour. The texture might be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.

Q6: Can I use a different food coloring?
A6: Yes, you can use gel food coloring instead of liquid. Gel will give you a more vibrant color, so it’s a great choice if you want a richer red hue.

Q7: How do I store leftover cookie cake?
A7: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for up to 3 days.

Q8: Can I freeze the cookie cake?
A8: You can freeze the cookie cake without frosting. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and it will keep for up to a month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before frosting and serving.

Q9: Can I decorate the cake in other ways?
A9: Absolutely! You can use heart-shaped sprinkles, edible glitter, or even pipe a love note on top with additional frosting. Get creative!

Q10: Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
A10: Yes, just double the ingredients and bake the cake in a larger pan (or two pans). Make sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.

Conclusion

This Red Velvet Cookie Cake for Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to say “I love you” with a sweet, indulgent treat. Whether you’re serving it to a special someone or sharing it with family and friends, it’s sure to steal the show. With its soft, cookie-like texture, tangy cream cheese frosting, and beautiful red hue, it’s a dessert that’s as delicious as it is beautiful. So go ahead—make this Valentine’s Day one to remember with a slice of red velvet perfection!

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