Easy Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Recipe (2024)

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Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies are vibrate red, rich with chocolate flavor, and perfectly sweetened with white chocolate chips. These easy and festive sourdough cookies are slightly crispy on the edges with a chewy center and are the perfect dessert for all of your Valentine’s Day celebrations!

Easy Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Recipe (1)

Indulge your sweet tooth with a delightful twist on a classic favorite – our Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies.

Perfect for any time of year, these treats capture the essence of the beloved Red Velvet dessert in a portable, cookie form.

The subtle chocolate undertones in the dough elevate the experience, providing a satisfying balance of sweetness and depth. Inspired by the iconic flavor of Red Velvet Cake, these cookies offer a comforting and nostalgic taste that’s sure to be a hit with friends and family.

Much like the beloved Red Velvet Cupcakes and the timeless appeal of Sourdough Red Velvet Cake, these cookies bring that same rich, vibrant hue and irresistible flavor to your table.

The addition of sourdough starter discard not only infuses a subtle tang but also contributes to a chewy texture that perfectly complements the cookie’s visual allure.

So, whether you’re craving a delightful treat for a special occasion or simply indulging in a bit of baking therapy, Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies are a delightful choice that promises to satisfy your dessert cravings.

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Easy Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Recipe (2)

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Festive

If you’re looking for a simple way to add a little more love to your Valentine’s Day, these Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies are the way to do it! The vibrant red color will be perfect for any classroom party, kid’s lunch, staff room treat, or romantic date dessert.

Flavor

With just a few simple ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry, you will be able to create the sweetest, most chewy cookies! These Red Velvet Sourdough Cookies are rich in chocolate flavor from the cocoa powder and sweetened with white chocolate chips.

Easy

You can’t get easier than this red velvet cookie recipe! The dough comes together quickly in a stand mixer and the cookie dough only needs a short 30 minutes chill time before baking. These easy red velvet cookies are a sweet and simple way to celebrate the day of love, or any day for that matter!

Flour –I used all-purpose flour for this recipe.

Cocoa Powder –I prefer using unsweetened natural cocoa powder over Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Unsweetened natural cocoa powder has more acidity and helps to aid in these cookies’ natural red tint.

Baking Soda –Since we are using sourdough discard, baking soda will help to leaven these Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies.

Salt –Any unrefined salt will do, but my favorite isRedmond’s unrefined saltfor some extra minerals!

Butter –Unsalted butter adds a rich and creamy flavor to the cookies. Make sure it is at room temperature for easy mixing!

Sourdough Starter –For sweet recipes, like these cookies, I prefer to use sourdoughdiscard that is no older than two weeks.

Egg –Adds moisture to create the most delicious and chewy cookie!

Vanilla Extract –For the best flavor, I suggest using pure vanilla extract over imitation.

Red Food Coloring –To create a vibrant red color for this cake, I used liquid food coloring, but you can also use gel food coloring. Some have substituted this ingredient for strawberry or red beet powder or omittedit altogether.

Chocolate Chips –Absolutely! I love the pop of color white chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks have against the Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies, but milk or dark chocolate chips would be just as heavenly in this cookie dough.

Supplies

Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer

Baking Sheet

Parchment Paper

Cookie Scooper

Wire Rack

How to Make Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies

DRY INGREDIENTS

In a large bowl, gently whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set to the side.

WET INGREDIENTS:

In a bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter and the brown sugar together, for about 2 minutes, at medium speed.

Add the egg, scraping the sides of the bowl when necessary. Mix for 2-3 minutes or until the mixture is soft and fluffy.

Stir in the sourdough discard, red coloring, and vanilla extract until combined.

Easy Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Recipe (3)

COMBINE

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture while the mixer is stirring at low speed. Stop mixing when the flour is just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, otherwise, the cookies will be dense.

Pour in the white chocolate chips and stir in by hand.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge.

BAKE

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees f and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Each cookie dough ball will be about 2 Tablespoons or 45g. Roll the portioned dough into a rounded ball shape, then place them at least 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are crispy and the center is just soft and golden brown.

Helpful Hint: While baking, the cookies will puff up. Once they cool, the cookies will flatten.

While the cookies are cooling, top them with more white chocolate chips.

Keep the Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies on the parchment-lined baking sheet for an extra 5 minutes. Prepare the next batch of cookies during this time. Then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Easy Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Recipe (4)

How to Store

Store leftover Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

You could also freeze cookie dough balls for an easy dessert in a pinch! Scoop 2 T of cookie dough and place it on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Place the baking sheeting in the freezer to quickly flash-freeze the cookie dough. Once solid, remove the frozen mounds off the baking sheet and store them in a freezer-safe bag until ready to bake. Bake for 2-3 extra minutes.

Easy Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Recipe (5)

FAQs:

What kind of cocoa powder should I use for Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies?

I prefer using natural cocoa powder over Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Natural cocoa powder has more acidity and helps to aid in these cookies’ natural red tint. Natural cocoa powder also has a richer flavor.

Can I substitute chocolate chips for the white chocolate chips?

Absolutely! I love the pop of color white chocolate chips have against the Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies, but milk or dark chocolate chips would be just as heavenly in this cookie dough.

Why are my Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies cakey/not spreading at all?

The most common culprit for cakey cookies is too much flour. Therefore, I highly suggest using a kitchen scale when you are prepping this cookie dough. It will give you the most exact measurement of flour every single time. If you do not have a cookie scale, be sure to fluff the flour and place it into the measuring cup with a spoon. This will give you a more accurate measurement of flour.

Happy baking!

Easy Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Recipe (6)

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Easy Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Recipe (7)

Easy Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

Yield: 20 cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Chill Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 57 minutes

Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies are vibrate red, rich with chocolate flavor, and perfectly sweetened with white chocolate chips. These easy and festive sourdough cookies are slightly crispy on the edges with a chewy center and are the perfect dessert for all of your Valentine's Day celebrations!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (175g)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (30g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (3g)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (3g)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature
  • 1 cup light brown sugar (240g)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup sourdough discard (140g)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (6g)
  • 2 teaspoon red food coloring (8g)
  • 1 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

DRY INGREDIENTS

In a large bowl, gently whisk together 1 1/4 c all-purpose flour, 1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt. Set to the side.

WET INGREDIENTS:

In a bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream 1 stick of butter and 1 c brown sugar together, for about 2 minutes, at medium speed.

Add one egg, scraping the sides of the bowl when necessary. Mix for 2-3 minutes or until the mixture is soft and fluffy.

Stir in 1/2 c sourdough discard, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tsp red coloring until combined.

COMBINE

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture while the mixer is stirring at low speed. Stop mixing when the flour is just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, otherwise, the cookies will be dense.

Pour in 1 1/2 c white chocolate chips and stir in by hand.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge.

BAKE

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees f and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Each cookie dough ball will be about 2 Tablespoons or 45g. Roll the portioned dough into a rounded ball shape, then place them at least 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are crispy and the center is just soft and golden brown.

Helpful Hint: While baking, the cookies will puff up. Once they cool, the cookies will flatten.

While the cookies are cooling, top them with more white chocolate chips.

Keep the Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies on the parchment-lined baking sheet for an extra 5 minutes. Prepare the next batch of cookies during this time. Then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

How to Store

Store leftover Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

You could also freeze cookie dough balls for an easy dessert in a pinch! Scoop 2 T of cookie dough and place it on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Place the baking sheeting in the freezer to quickly flash-freeze the cookie dough. Once solid, remove the frozen mounds off the baking sheet and store them in a freezer-safe bag until ready to bake. Bake for 2-3 extra minutes.

FAQs:

What kind of cocoa powder should I use for Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies?

I prefer using natural cocoa powder over Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Natural cocoa powder has more acidity and helps to aid in these cookies' natural red tint. Natural cocoa powder also has a richer flavor.

Can I substitute chocolate chips for the white chocolate chips?

Absolutely! I love the pop of color white chocolate chips have against the Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies, but milk or dark chocolate chips would be just as heavenly in this cookie dough.

Why are my Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies cakey/not spreading at all?

The most common culprit for cakey cookies is too much flour. Therefore, I highly suggest using a kitchen scale when you are prepping this cookie dough. It will give you the most exact measurement of flour every single time. If you do not have a cookie scale, be sure to fluff the flour and place it into the measuring cup with a spoon. This will give you a more accurate measurement of flour.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Easy Sourdough Red Velvet Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between red velvet and chocolate cookies? ›

Flavor Comparison: What Sets Them Apart? The main difference between red velvet and chocolate lies in their flavor profiles. Red velvet has a more complex flavor, combining the tanginess from the buttermilk and vinegar with a hint of chocolate.

Why are my sourdough cookies flat? ›

Oven temperatures are a crucial factor in baking. If your cookies consistently come out flat, you may have selected the wrong baking temperature. If you bake cookies using too much heat, the fats in the dough begin to melt before the other ingredients can cook together and form your cookie's rise.

What is red velvet cookie dough made of? ›

Combining brown sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and buttermilk, these aren't just cookies tinted red—they truly capture the flavor and appearance of both iconic desserts. I originally published this carefully tested dessert recipe in 2013. Is red velvet a mystery flavor to you?

How to bake packaged cookie dough? ›

HEAT oven to 350°F (or 325°F for nonstick cookie sheet). PLACE cookie dough rounds about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. BAKE 10 to 14 minutes or until light golden brown. COOL 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet.

Is red velvet just chocolate and vanilla? ›

What flavor is red velvet? While there are cocoa undertones, red velvet is not chocolate cake because it balances both chocolate and vanilla flavors. It contains cocoa but not the same quantity as traditional chocolate cake, resulting in a more subtle cocoa flavor and tanginess due to the buttermilk and vinegar.

Why are my red velvet cookies brown? ›

The red gel food coloring combined with the cocoa powder gives these cookies that signature red velvet color and flavor. But you can omit the food coloring and still enjoy a delicious chocolate cookie.

What does overproofed sourdough look like when baked? ›

Properly proofed sourdough bread undergoes the oven spring, which is the final expression of the carbon dioxide gasses in the oven. An overproofed dough lacks the necessary carbon dioxide gas for the added boost. The result is a flat, squat loaf of bread with a tight, gummy crumb.

Should I use baking powder or baking soda for cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

What is angel cookie made of? ›

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, oil, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, vanilla and eggs. Add the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt and mix well. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour. Using a cookie scoop, drop balls of dough onto ungreased, unlined baking sheets.

What is the red thing in red velvet cake? ›

World War II

Baking products like sugar and butter were a part of the rations. As a result, some bakers chose to use beet juice in their cakes. You can still find red velvet cake recipes today that call for beet juice. The red color of the beets makes the cake have a more delicious appeal.

Does Oreo make red velvet? ›

At Long Last, Oreo Brings Back Its 'Most Requested' Flavor. Red Velvet Oreos are back, baby! For years now, since Nabisco discontinued Red Velvet Oreos from shelves in 2020 to make room for other flavors, fans of the crimson-colored sandwich cookies have been clamoring for their return.

Can you eat Pillsbury ready to bake cookie dough? ›

Not all cookie dough is safe to eat before baking it. Both the flour and the egg ingredients should be cooked for food safety reasons. What makes Pillsbury's refrigerated cookie and brownie doughs ready to eat raw? We use heat treated flour and pasteurized eggs so you can now safely enjoy our cookie dough baked or raw.

How long should cookie dough rest before baking? ›

Generally speaking, you should chill your cookie dough before baking it. But for how long? You want to give it at least 2 hours to chill through.

What happens if you don't chill cookie dough? ›

Chilling dough does several things: It provides ample time for the sugar to dissolve and the flour to hydrate, and some argue it helps deepen the flavor of the dough altogether. But the truth is, the primary reason bakers chill their dough is to prevent cookies from spreading too much.

How is red velvet different than chocolate? ›

Red Velvet Cake also has a slightly tart and has a mild cocoa flavor, while Chocolate cake is creamy, buttery, and has a rich cocoa taste. Red Velvet Cake is smooth, light, soft, with a velvety crumb (hence, the “velvet” in Red Velvet Cake). Chocolate cake is soft and fluffy and has a solid crumb.

What makes red velvet red? ›

Red velvet cake is traditionally a red, crimson, or scarlet-colored layer cake, layered with ermine icing. Traditional recipes do not use food coloring, with the red color possibly due to non-Dutched, anthocyanin-rich cocoa, and possibly due to the usage of brown sugar, formerly called red sugar.

Is red velvet a chocolate sponge? ›

Red Velvet cake originates from the United States and is a red vanilla sponge made with buttermilk and cocoa to give its unique flavour and a light taste of chocolate. Red Velvet cake presence goes back around 200 years to the 19thcentury, and has been a constant favourite across America.

Is red velvet cake chocolate cake in disguise? ›

However, so-called velvet cakes have been popular since the 19th century or Victorian era. In 1911, a combination of devil's food cake and mahogany cake was published as a velvet cocoa cake recipe. Red velvet cake is sometimes mistaken for chocolate, but it's a vanilla cake with a striking ruby color.

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