Description
Soft and fluffy heart-shaped red velvet cookies paired with a creamy, decadent filling, these Valentine’s Red Velvet Whoopie Pies are the ultimate sweet treat to express your love. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion to steal hearts with every bite!
Ingredients
For the Red Velvet Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon (1 oz.) red gel food coloring
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 6 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Sheets:
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Draw heart shapes with a cookie cutter or stencil, spaced 1 inch apart. Flip the parchment over so the pencil marks are underneath.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium-high speed for 1 minute until smooth. Add the brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract. Gradually add the buttermilk and red gel food coloring, beating until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pipe the Batter:
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag with a ½-inch round tip (or use a zip-lock bag with a corner snipped). Pipe “V” shapes into the hearts on the parchment paper.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the centers are set. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Filling:
- Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add vanilla extract and gradually mix in powdered sugar until fluffy.
- Assemble:
- Match cookies by size and shape. Pipe or spread filling onto the flat side of one cookie, leaving room around the edges. Top with another cookie, flat side down.
- Chill and Store:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for a vibrant red hue.
- Chill batter for 15 minutes if it’s too soft to pipe.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American