Description

Delight in these festive Red Velvet Blossom Cookies, featuring a tender red velvet dough rolled in colorful sugar and crowned with a luscious Dove Chocolate Heart. Perfect for celebrations or a special treat, these cookies combine classic flavors with a charming presentation.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate

36 Dove Chocolate Hearts (1 package, 8.87 ounces)

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Coating

Red sprinkling sugar and/or sprinkles for rolling

Instructions

Freeze Chocolate Hearts: Place the Dove Chocolate Hearts into the freezer for at least one hour to prevent melting during baking.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes using an electric mixer.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, milk, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt.
Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
Shape and Coat Dough: Using a tablespoon, scoop dough and form 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in red sprinkling sugar and/or sprinkles to coat evenly.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet spaced adequately to allow for spreading.
Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
Add Chocolate Center: Immediately after removing from the oven, gently press a frozen Dove Chocolate Heart into the center of each cookie to create the blossom effect.
Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies carefully from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool completely and allow the chocolate to set without melting.

Notes

Freezing the chocolate hearts is crucial to prevent them from melting too quickly on the warm cookies.
Do not overbake to maintain soft, tender cookie centers that contrast nicely with the crisp edges and chocolate.
Rolling the dough balls in colored sugar before baking adds festive texture and sparkle.
Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cookie removal and cleanup.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Red Velvet Cookies, Blossom Cookies, Dove Chocolate Hearts, Holiday Cookies, Festive Treats, Valentine's Day Cookies, Red Food Coloring Cookies