Red Velvet Cookie Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
This Red Velvet Cookie Cake is a decadent twist on the classic red velvet cake, baked as a thick, chewy cookie with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or a special treat, it features a rich cocoa-flavored red dough studded with white chocolate chips, baked in a 9-inch pan and topped with a smooth and tangy cream cheese icing. The recipe combines the best of both worlds—cake-like softness and cookie-like texture—for a delightful dessert experience.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: One 9-inch cookie cake, serves 8-10 people 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 grams)
- 2 tablespoons natural cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (AKA cornflour for those in Australia and UK)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cookie Cake Mixture
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (168 grams), softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 grams)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (105 grams), light or dark
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk (discard the egg white)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons red food coloring (gel or liquid, gel recommended)
- 1 cup white chocolate chips (180 grams), or your favorite variety
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter (75 grams), softened to room temperature
- 2 oz brick-style cream cheese (57 grams), softened to room temperature
- 1–2 cups powdered sugar (110–220 grams), sifted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1–2 teaspoons whipping cream (15–30 ml), if needed
- Make the Red Velvet Cookie Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper and greasing the edges, or lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt, then whisk to combine.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together using an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and fully creamed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring into the butter-sugar mixture until everything is evenly incorporated and the dough has a vibrant red color.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined, ensuring not to overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Stir the white chocolate chips gently into the cookie dough to distribute them evenly throughout.
- Shape the Cookie Cake: Transfer the cookie dough into the prepared pan. Spread it into an even layer using a spatula or press it gently down with a piece of wax paper (remember to remove the wax paper before baking).
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top appears set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool the Cookie Cake: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to avoid breaking.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a clean bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth using an electric mixer. Then add the cream cheese and continue beating until fully combined and fluffy.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Salt: Gradually beat in 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar and the salt on low speed to prevent dusting. Increase speed and continue to beat until smooth.
- Adjust Sweetness and Texture: Add the remaining powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until your desired sweetness and frosting consistency are reached. If the frosting is too stiff, beat in 1-2 teaspoons of whipping cream to loosen it slightly.
- Remove Cookie Cake from Pan: Once fully cooled, if using a springform pan, unclamp the outer ring carefully and transfer the cookie cake to your serving plate. If baked in a pie plate, leave as is for serving.
- Frost and Decorate: Pipe the cream cheese frosting around the edges using a decorating tip (such as a 1M tip) and optionally decorate with sprinkles or other toppings of your choice.
Notes
- For best results, use gel red food coloring to achieve a vibrant red hue without thinning the dough.
- Allow the cookie cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting.
- Sifting powdered sugar before adding ensures a smooth and lump-free frosting.
- You can substitute white chocolate chips with semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips for variation.
- The recipe works well in either a springform pan or a pie plate; springform pan allows easier removal.
- Store the frosted cookie cake in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, bringing it to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Keywords: Red velvet cookie cake, cream cheese frosting, white chocolate chips, red velvet dessert, cookie cake recipe