Description
Soft, chewy red velvet cookies with a surprise creamy center! These are stuffed with a smooth cream cheese filling that melts in your mouth. The perfect cookie for Christmas, Valentine’s, or any cozy night in.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp red food coloring
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Dough
In one bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
In another, cream butter and sugar for 2–3 minutes.
Add egg, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar—mix until smooth.
Slowly add dry ingredients until just combined.
2️⃣ Prepare the Filling
Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
3️⃣ Assemble Cookies
Scoop 1 tbsp of dough and flatten into a disc.
Add 1 tsp cream cheese mixture to center. Fold dough over filling and roll into a ball.
Repeat and place on parchment-lined tray.
4️⃣ Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes or until edges are just set.
Let cool on pan, then move to rack.
Notes
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Chill Before Baking: For best results, chill the stuffed cookie dough balls for 10–15 minutes before baking. This helps them hold their shape and keeps the filling from leaking.
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Don’t Overfill: Use no more than 1 teaspoon of cream cheese filling per cookie. Too much filling increases the risk of it bursting through the dough.
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Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the dough and the cream cheese filling up to 2 days ahead. Store them separately in the fridge, then assemble before baking.
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Freezer Tip: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen—just add 1–2 extra minutes.
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Add-Ins: Optional mix-ins like white chocolate chips or chopped pecans add extra texture and flavor. Fold into the dough before shaping.
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Presentation Idea: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate once cooled for a festive finish.
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Gluten-Free or Dairy-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and vegan cream cheese to make these cookies allergy-friendly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies, Holiday Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 50g)
- Calories: ~200 kcal
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Stuffed Cookies, Holiday Desserts, Red Velvet Recipes, Cheesecake-Inspired, Christmas Baking, Cookie Exchange, Valentine’s Day Desserts, Crowd Pleasers, Easy Baking