Name: Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup butter, softened; 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened; 3/4 cup sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 2 tablespoons baking cocoa; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract; 1/2 teaspoon red paste food coloring; 1 tablespoon water (if needed for consistency); Nonpareils or sprinkles

Sweet memories swirl around this delightful red velvet spritz cookies creation that captures childhood wonder.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen dance through every buttery bite.

Delicate crimson cookies emerge from vintage cookie presses with elegant charm.

Soft cocoa undertones blend seamlessly with creamy vanilla hints.

Each spritzed cookie promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience that whispers comfort.

Vibrant color and delicate texture make these treats perfect for special moments.

You’ll fall in love with how simple yet stunning these cookies can be.

Bake these and watch faces light up with pure joy.

Red Velvet Spritz Cookies That Melt With a Sweet Snap

Speedy Holiday Delight: Whips up festive red velvet spritz cookies in less than 30 minutes, perfect for last-minute dessert cravings.
Festive Flavor Explosion: Combines rich cocoa, peppermint, and vibrant red color to create a visually stunning and deliciously unique holiday treat that will impress family and guests.
Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Simple ingredients and easy steps allow children to participate in cookie making, turning baking into a fun, memorable family activity with minimal adult supervision.

Main Ingredients:

Wet Ingredients:

Butter: Provides rich, creamy base and helps create tender cookie texture. Look for unsalted butter for best flavor control.
Cream Cheese: Adds tangy flavor and soft texture to the cookies. Room temperature cream cheese blends smoothly.
Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps with crisp edges. Granulated white sugar works best.

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure and gives cookies their basic shape. Use fresh, sifted flour for smooth dough.
Baking Cocoa: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and rich red velvet color. Dutch-processed cocoa recommended for best taste.

Flavor and Color Enhancers:

Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness. Fresh large eggs work perfectly.
Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic background flavor. Pure vanilla extract preferred over artificial.
Peppermint Extract: Adds cool, refreshing note to the cookies. Use sparingly for subtle mint taste.
Red Food Coloring: Creates signature red velvet appearance. Gel food coloring gives more vibrant color.

Decorative Ingredients:

Nonpareils or Sprinkles: Adds festive visual appeal and slight crunch. Choose colors that complement red velvet theme.

Baking Red Velvet Spritz Cookies to Impress

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Turn the oven to 375°F and prepare a clean baking workspace.

Get your mixing equipment ready for a delightful baking adventure.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend together:

Softened butter
Cream cheese
Sugar

Whip these ingredients until they become light and fluffy, creating a smooth foundation for your cookies.

Mix until the texture looks airy and pale.

Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters

Pour in:

Vanilla extract
Peppermint extract
Egg
Red food coloring

Stir everything until the mixture transforms into a vibrant red color with a consistent texture.

Step 4: Form The Cookie Mixture

In a separate bowl, combine:

All-purpose flour
Baking cocoa

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Gently fold until a soft dough develops.

If the dough feels too thick, add a splash of water to create a smoother consistency.

Step 5: Shape The Delights

Load the cookie press with your prepared dough.

Choose a decorative disc and press cookies onto clean baking sheets.

Space each cookie about an inch apart for perfect separation.

Step 6: Sprinkle Magic

Scatter nonpareils or festive sprinkles across the cookie surfaces, adding a playful touch before baking.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until cookies are set but not darkened.

Watch carefully to maintain their delicate texture.

Step 8: Cool And Enjoy

Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for two minutes.

Transfer to wire cooling racks and allow them to cool completely before serving.

Add water sparingly to the dough if it feels too stiff, ensuring a smooth texture without making it too wet for the cookie press.
Clean and dry the cookie press thoroughly before filling to help the dough release smoothly and create perfect cookie shapes.
Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red color without adding extra liquid that might change the dough's consistency.
Allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks to maintain their crisp texture and prevent sogginess from residual heat on the baking sheet.
Store these cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to keep them fresh and prevent sticking for up to a week.

Keep Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Fresh

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper, for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Pack cookies flat in freezer-safe containers, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze for 2-3 months.
Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore their soft texture.

Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Serving Ideas

Pair with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Rich, creamy hot chocolate infused with peppermint creates a perfect companion to these red velvet spritz cookies, enhancing their festive flavor profile.
Complement with Vanilla Bean Latte: Smooth, aromatic vanilla bean latte balances the cocoa and peppermint notes in the cookies, offering a delightful warmth and sweetness.
Match with White Chocolate Cream Liqueur: Indulgent white chocolate cream liqueur provides a luxurious pairing that amplifies the cookie's decadent red velvet character.
Serve alongside Raspberry Sorbet: Tart, refreshing raspberry sorbet cuts through the cookie's richness, creating a delightful palate-cleansing contrast.

Spritz Cookies with Red Velvet Styling

Gluten-Free Velvet Spritz: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure baking cocoa is certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
Vegan Red Velvet Version: Substitute butter with vegan margarine, cream cheese with plant-based cream cheese alternative, and egg with a flax egg or applesauce to create a dairy-free and egg-free option.
Low-Sugar Red Velvet: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the classic red velvet flavor profile.
Chocolate Mint Variation: Increase peppermint extract and add mini chocolate chips to enhance the mint-chocolate combination, creating a richer, more intense flavor experience.

FAQs

What makes red velvet spritz cookies different from regular spritz cookies?

Red velvet spritz cookies combine the classic buttery spritz cookie texture with a rich red velvet flavor, achieved by adding cocoa powder and red food coloring to create a distinctive taste and vibrant color.

Do I need a special tool to make these cookies?

Yes, you’ll need a cookie press to create the classic spritz cookie shapes. These devices have different discs that allow you to create various decorative designs like stars, flowers, or wreaths.

Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

While food coloring gives the cookies their signature red color, you can omit it and still have delicious cocoa-flavored spritz cookies. The taste will remain the same, just without the bright red appearance.

How can I ensure my cookies come out perfectly shaped?

Make sure your dough is at the right consistency – not too soft or too stiff. If the dough is too firm, add a tablespoon of water. Also, press the cookie press firmly and lift straight up to create clean, distinct shapes.

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.

Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

The Perfect Red Velvet Spritz Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic