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Deliciously decadent red velvet cookie cups topped with cream cheese frosting.

Decadent Red Velvet Cookie Cups

Delightful red velvet cookie cups filled with luscious cream cheese frosting, perfect for celebrations or a cozy dessert at home.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 12 cookie cups
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cookie Cups
  • ½ cup ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened Ensure butter is softened but not melted.
  • ¾ cup ¾ cup (150g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon red food coloring Be generous to achieve classic red velvet color.
  • 1 ⅓ cups 1 ⅓ cups (170g) all-purpose flour Can use gluten-free blend as a substitute.
  • ¼ cup ¼ cup (20g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting
  • 4 oz 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature.
  • ¼ cup ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar Add more or less based on desired sweetness.
  • ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
  • sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or candy hearts Use your favorite toppings for customization.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
  3. Add the egg, vanilla, milk, and red food coloring, mixing until thoroughly combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until fully combined.
  6. Divide the dough evenly among the muffin cups, pressing the dough gently into each cup to create a slight indentation.
Baking
  1. Bake for 10–12 minutes, then remove from the oven and press down the centers again to create a well.
  2. Cool completely in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Frosting
  1. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth.
  2. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and beat until fluffy.
  3. Pipe or spoon the frosting into the center of each cooled cookie cup. Add optional toppings if desired.

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to three days at room temperature or a week in the refrigerator. Freeze unfrosted cookie cups for up to three months; thaw before frosting.