Red Velvet …The Easy Way

I’ve been away from Foodie Friday too long..not that I haven’t been cooking. I am glad to be joining Michael again at Designs by Gollum. It’s been a long busy day here. The soup and salad luncheon was a success. The weather was very cold and just right for hot mugs of soup followed by dessert by a roaring fire…the real kind :)

We love red velvet cake and there is nothing more festive for the holidays, but frankly, it’s a lot of trouble. I found this recipe that has all the taste and none of the three layer hassle. It was pronounced a hit by the luncheon group and put in my “keeper” file ! These cookies are slightly bigger than the usual cookie, but you can make them whatever size suits you.

Red Velvet Cookies

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 large eggs

2 Tbsp. liquid red food coloring

2 Tbsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup buttermilk

Parchment paper

Cream cheese frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine first five ingredients in a bowl. Beat butter (separate bowl) at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add sugar and beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat after each addition. Beat in food coloring and vanilla. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Beat on low speed until blended. Drop by 1/4 cupsful three inches apart onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a spoon to spread into three inch rounds. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until tops are set. Cool on baking sheets for five minutes and transfer to wire racks until cooled completely. Spread cream cheese frosting onto cookie and garnish. Crumble one cookie into fine crumbs to use for garnish.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 ( 8 0z) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Dash of salt

16 oz powdered sugar

Beat first four ingredients until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat at low speed until smooth.

This recipe is long; don’t be intimidated. It couldn’t be easier!

I thought you might enjoy seeing my co-hostess for the luncheon. I don’t know that I‘ll ask her again. She’s not much of a cook and hates doing dishes :). She does make up for it in her sense of fashion though! Click on the Foodie Friday button for more recipes and fun!