Oh my gosh, are you ready to talk about the ultimate romantic cookie? If you adore that slight tang and deep, beautiful color of true red velvet, then you absolutely need these in your life right now. Forget simple drop cookies; we are making the showstopper: delicious Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling. Trust me when I say these are decadent! Cream cheese filling gave these cookies a richness that felt absolutely perfect for Valentine’s Day treats. I worked on testing the perfect firmness for the filling right alongside Emily Mitchell, our Efficiency & Testing Coordinator at Recipes by Betty, to make sure these stack up beautifully every single time. They’re sweet, slightly fudgy, and totally irresistible!
Why These Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling Are Perfect Valentines Day Treats
When it comes to special **Valentines Day Treats**, these cookies tick every single box, especially if you’re planning out your **Valentines Day Baking Ideas**. Red velvet fans go wild for that classic flavor marrying perfectly with tangy cream cheese. They look stunning, making them priority picks for any showcase of **Valentines Dessert Ideas**.
- The deep red color screams romance!
- That creamy middle layer is pure luxury.
- Perfect for gifting or serving at holiday parties. Check out more of our holiday recipes right here!
Quick Facts: Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling Timeline
You won’t believe how fast these come together, though you do need a little chill time, which is the perfect window to clean up your mixer!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Essential Ingredients for Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling
Alright, let’s talk about what makes these cookies truly pop! Getting the colors and textures right is key here, and using good quality, soft ingredients ensures everything mixes together perfectly, especially when we’re aiming for that luxurious feel. Don’t skimp on softening that butter; it makes a massive difference in the final texture. If you’re curious about salt choices, I’ve got some thoughts on that over here, but for now, just use what you have!
For the Red Velvet Cookie Dough
This is where we build that gorgeous, earthy red velvet base. Remember, everything needs to be ready to go!
- 2.25 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder (don’t substitute this!)
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon of salt
- 0.75 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Red food coloring (enough to get that deep, beautiful shade you want!)
For the Cream Cheese Filling
This filling is what takes us from a cookie to a sandwich dream. Make sure your dairy is properly softened so it creams up without lumps!
- 8 oz of cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 1.5 cups of powdered sugar (we need that much for structure!)
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling
Putting these gorgeous cookies together is fun, but it’s all about precision when it comes to mixing and baking. You want that deep red color and a texture that’s sturdy enough to hold all that creamy goodness. I’ve broken down the process so you can follow along just like I do when I’m testing recipes in the kitchen. If you want some high-level tips on technique that generally improve all your baking projects, check out my best advice on scones here!
Preparing the Red Velvet Cookie Dough Base
First up, we tackle the dry stuff. You’ll just whisk your flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together in one bowl. Don’t worry about over-mixing here; it’s just getting acquainted!
Next, grab your electric mixer for the main event. Beat that softened butter until it gets nice and fluffy, then gradually add the sugar and keep beating until you get that pale, airy look. Now, drop in the egg, vanilla, and that bright red food coloring. Mix until everything is blended into a gorgeous, vibrant wet mixture.
Finally, we slowly bring the dry ingredients into the wet—just mix until you see a dough start to form. Seriously, stop mixing as soon as the flour streaks disappear!
Chilling and Baking Your Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling
This step is non-negotiable! Wrap up that dough and let it chill in the fridge for a solid 30 minutes. This keeps them from spreading into thin little pancakes when they hit the heat.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop uniform balls of dough onto your baking sheets. Since these are sandwich cookies, aim for uniform size so they match up easily later! Bake them for about 10 to 12 minutes. Watch the edges; when they just start to look set but aren’t getting brown, they are done. Let them cool completely—you *must* let them cool, or the filling will melt right off.
Making and Assembling the Cream Cheese Filling
While those cookies are cooling down, let’s make the filling! You want this super smooth so it pipes or spreads nicely. Beat the softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract all together until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. If you see any lumps, just keep beating!
Once the cookies are totally cool, it’s time to assemble. Take one cookie, spoon or pipe a generous dollop of the cream cheese filling onto the flat side, and gently press another cookie on top to form your perfect sandwich. Give them a little smoosh!
Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling
Listen, anyone can mix up red velvet ingredients, but getting these Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling perfect means paying attention to just a couple of little details. The biggest mistake people make is rushing the chilling time. If that dough is too warm, your cookies will spread wide and thin, and you’ll end up with sad, flat discs instead of thick sandwich parts!
Now for the color—you want that deep, luxe red, right? Don’t use too much liquid food coloring, or it throws off the dough balance. I always use a gel coloring because you need less product to get that vibrant hue. If you want even more depth because you love that intense look, try reducing the cocoa powder just slightly when you add more coloring.
When mixing the filling, make sure your cream cheese and butter are *equally* soft. If one is colder than the other, you’ll get ribbons instead of that beautifully smooth, even texture we want to hold these cookies snuggly together. For more frosting inspiration, I found some amazing ideas over at this link!
Ideas for Decorating Valentines Sugar Cookies Decorated
Okay, so while these are technically sandwich cookies, they are so fancy they feel like they belong right alongside those perfectly piped **Valentines Day Sugar Cookies**! Even though the filling is hidden inside, you absolutely mustn’t skip decorating the outside—it’s key for all those festive **Valentines Cookies Decorated Ideas**.
Since the center is soft, we have to be strategic about when we decorate! Trying to flood the whole cookie with royal icing before filling can get messy. Here’s my favorite way to elevate these for any **Valentines Day Cookies Decorated** spread:
- The Sprinkle Rim: Before you bake your red velvet circles, instead of chilling them, try setting up a shallow bowl of festive sprinkles—think pink, red, and white heart shapes! Just quickly dip the edges of the raw cookie dough balls into the sprinkles before baking. They’ll bake right on and look so cute!
- Drizzle Before Sandwiching: Once the cookies are cooled, you can lightly drizzle the tops with melted white chocolate before you add the cream cheese filling to the bottom half. This adds shine and an extra layer of flavor for your **Valentines Day Baking Ideas** projects.
- Fill First, Decorate After: My personal go-to for that luxurious look. Make your sandwiches first! Then, use a small piping tip to pipe little zig-zags or dots of extra cream cheese filling around the outside edge where the two cookies meet. It looks so professional!
If you went for the sprinkle edge during baking, they are ready to go! If you decorated them after assembly, you’re done faster than you can finish saying, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” You can find some crazy fun ideas for other festive bakes over at this collection of crinkle cookies for inspiration!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling
Because these beauties are packed with that creamy, dreamy filling, you absolutely need to store your Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling correctly. If you’re planning ahead for your **Valentines Day Baking**, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay great for nearly a week this way!
Now, here’s the secret to serving them: don’t eat them straight out of the fridge! If they are too cold, that cream cheese filling gets stiff and loses all its lovely, buttery flavor. Pull them out onto a serving plate about 30 minutes before you plan to serve them, letting them come up to room temperature. It makes all the difference! For more make-ahead inspiration, check out my favorite no-bake treats!
Equipment Needed for Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling
Having the right tools makes baking these rich Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling so much less stressful. You don’t need a commercial bakery setup, but I find having these few items makes the process seamless and ensures we get that perfect texture every time. Don’t even try to make the filling without the mixer—your arm will thank you later!
Here is the superstar lineup I always keep ready:
- Mixing Bowls (I like one big one for the dough and a medium one for the filling)
- Electric Mixer (Handheld is fine, but a stand mixer makes creaming that butter a breeze)
- Baking Sheets (You’ll need at least two so you can bake in batches if necessary)
- A good Cookie Scoop (This is my secret weapon to make sure all your cookies match size-wise for easy sandwiching!)
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling
I know you’ve got questions! Baking is all about confidence, and knowing the answers before you start really helps, especially when planning those tricky **Valentines Day Cookies Decorated** ahead of time. These littles are worth the effort, but let’s clear up any last-minute worries about your **Valentines Dessert Ideas**!
Can I make the Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling ahead of time?
Yes, you totally can! And honestly, I encourage it if you’re making a big spread for your **Valentines Day Baking**. The cookies themselves can be baked and stored airtight at room temperature for up to three days before filling. However, for the absolute best results, I always recommend waiting until the day before or the morning of serving to make and add the cream cheese filling. Cream cheese filling gets a little too firm if refrigerated for days. You can find lots of make-ahead options in my dessert category!
What substitutes work for the red food coloring?
This is where we get into personal preference! If you’re trying to avoid traditional liquid dyes, a high-quality gel food coloring is your best bet because it keeps the dough from getting too wet. I’ve seen folks have success using beet powder mixed right into the dry ingredients, but you have to use quite a bit, and sometimes it doesn’t give you that true, vibrant red velvet pop. For that classic look that everyone expects, I generally stick with a good, strong gel coloring. It gives you the best color payoff without messing with the balance of your **Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling**!
Estimated Nutritional Data
Alright, let’s get into the numbers! Since these are rich, cream cheese-filled treats, they definitely look after your happiness quotient more than your macros, but I always like to give you a ballpark idea of what you are getting into. Remember, this is just an estimate based on using standard measurements in the recipe—your ingredient brands and amounts might stack up a little differently when you make them!
If you want all the fine print regarding how we calculate this data, you can read our full disclaimer policy right over here.
Here’s the breakdown for one sandwich cookie:
- Calories: 350
- Total Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 4g
- Sugar: 30g
Share Your Valentines Day Baking Success
I had so much fun walking you through these amazing **Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling**! Honestly, the best part of sharing recipes is seeing what you all create in your own kitchens. I really hope these become a staple in your home for every celebration, but especially for getting into the spirit of **Valentines Day Baking**!
When you wrap up your batch, please do me a huge favor and come back here to leave a little star rating at the top of the page. Nothing helps me create more delicious content like knowing what you thought!
And if you managed to get some truly gorgeous photos—maybe yours look especially festive with extra sprinkles or super crisp edges—I want to see them! Tag us on social media so we can celebrate your stunning **Valentines Day Treats** together. If you have any questions about the process or just want to send a sweet note, feel free to reach out to me directly through the contact page. Happy baking, friend!
Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheets
Ingredients
Red Velvet Cookie Dough
- 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Red food coloring To desired shade
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
- Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to the butter mixture. Mix until combined.
- Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Scoop the dough onto baking sheets. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool completely.
- Beat the cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the filling is smooth.
- Sandwich two cooled cookies together with the cream cheese filling.