Red Velvet Roll-Outs {Recipe}
I guess it would be kinda blasphemous as a Southern girl to admit that I don’t really like red velvet cake. In my defense, I don’t really like ANY cake. But if I were going to pick one, this one would be a little lower on my list than my mother would like.
Still, I cannot deny my southern roots. I grew up watching Steel Magnolias and have it memorized word for word. It may very well be the infamous red velvet armadillo cake that sealed the deal, but like it or not, red velvet holds a place in my heart and needed to be cookie-fied.
When I first got the idea to make red velvet cookies I searched online for a recipe, but the reviews were so iffy that I didn’t waste the butter. I wanted to create my own recipe with all of the traditional ingredients found in red velvet cake. It took a few tries, but I finally came up with the perfect combination.
The secret to these cookies is this. Do you know what it is?
It’s POWDERED BUTTERMILK! And we all know, red velvet cake MUST have buttermilk.
If it weren’t for my mother-in-law, I’d never even had known that such a thing existed. It’s the perfect way to add buttermilk flavor without softening the dough with extra liquid.
The second secret ingredient is THIS AWESOME RED VELVET EMULSION from Lorann Oils. When I picked it up, I had no idea it would come in so handy. The emulsion has such a deep red color that I didn’t have to add any additional food coloring to the dough, which is good for my conscience, especially since I have mixed feelings about adding a load of red dye to my baked goods.
Combined with cocoa powder, it created the perfect red velvet hue!
This is red velvet at it’s finest…in COOKIE form.
They are wonderful WITH or WITHOUT frosting but it’s been said by some that red velvet cake is nothing more than a vehicle for another Southern specialty, cream cheese frosting. I found great recipes via i am baker, Annie’s Eats, and Glorious Treats.
For those of you who agree, these are AMAZING topped with exactly that. However, if you plan on decorating these babies, try flavoring simple royal icing with a combination butter vanilla, buttery sweet dough {or creme bouquet}, and a splash of almond extract. The texture is a little different, of course, but it compliments the red velvet cookie nicely.
Makes about 3 dozen 3 1/2 inch cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste {or extract}
- 1 tbsp Lorann red velvet emulsion
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 cup Hershey’s Cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup buttermilk powder
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- splash {about 1/2 a tsp} apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Cream together butter and confectioners sugar.
- Add the egg, vanilla, red velvet emulsion, and milk and mix well.
- Start with 2 tablespoons of milk, then add the rest if the dough is a little dry after adding the flour mixture.
- Sift together the cocoa, buttermilk powder, flour, baking powder and salt and add to the wet ingredients.
- As the dough begins to form add a splash of apple cider vinegar. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
- After mixing, let it rest for five to ten minutes, then roll out on parchment paper to 1/4 inch thickness dusting lightly with flour if needed.
- Cut into desired shapes and bake at 400 degrees for 6-7 minutes.
Notes
A few tips to help you along the way:
1. You can mix flour and cocoa powder together for rolling. It doesn’t show up as badly as white flour and adds a little extra flavor.
2. If you can’t get Lorann emulsion, use a teaspoon or two of plain red gel paste, depending on how deep of a color you’d like. Just make sure to keep the amount of liquid the same, meaning you’d need to add a tbsp. of vanilla bean paste rather than 2 tsp.
3. I am not sure what the pint of the vinegar is, especially since there is no baking soda in this recipe, but it didn’t feel right leaving it out, so it’s there.
4. Watch the baking time on these cookies. when the tips are smooth and not shiny, they are done.
5. For tips on baking the perfect cookie click HERE.
So, I have to ask. Red velvet…love it, or hate it?!
Thank you so much for creating and testing this out for us! I am going to give it a try but it will definitely have cream cheese icing on it! That is the BEST part of any cake:)
You are amazing:)
splash of vinegar right?? not pint
Honestly, I don’t see what the big deal is about Red Velvet cake. It’s just not “special” to me. And, that much red food coloring can’t be good for you, right? Anyway, I just don’t get it. I will try these cookies, though, if I can find powdered butter milk. I’ve never heard of it! And, I just got some Red Velvet Emulsion at Ross a couple of weeks ago. Had no idea what I was gonna do with it. lol
Luanne, don’t know if you have ShopRite supermarkets in your area, but they sell the powdered buttermilk. :o)
Mmmm… this sound good to me… I’m not a Red Velvet cake fan either… BUT I love COOKIES! Will have to order some ingredients to get started, though…
Can’t wait to try these! Is it 1/2 cup of cocoa powder?
1/2 ????? cocoa (cup? tsp? Tbsp?)
sorry, fixed it. My platform didn’t recognize the fraction and I missed changing it =)
GENIUS!!! I can’t wait to give these a try Callye! again…amazing of you to share your creativity with the world!
Hi, these look great!! Can I check if the cocoa is tsp or tbsp? Thanks!
I heart anything red velvet! Must try these. I may leave the vinegar out, though. I always thought it was added to cakes to react with the baking soda, but since there’s no baking soda in this recipe, I’ll skip the vinegar. Definitely wanna try it, though! :o)
It just brightens it a little. It makes a tiny bit of difference, but it only takes a splash…
Oh… Cup! Could have sworn tht was not thete earlier 🙂 thanks!!
It wasn’t! I fixed it. I cut and pasted from Word, and if I don’t replace the fractions it comes out as NOTHING. Sorry!
Powdered buttermilk has always been a baking staple for me. Same brand as yours, too!
I love that powdered buttermilk it’s great alternative to the real deal since its so expensive and you get way more out of it since I’m the only one in the house besides my mama to drink real buttermilk I find it gets wasted to fast.
I love it when you create recipes!
You are psychic… I was JUST looking for this recipe last night and gave up because I couldn’t find one that sounded just right. I’m so excited to try these, I’m going to order the extracts right now 🙂
I desperately wanted to try this recipe but I don’t know how I’ll go getting your 2 secret ingredients in Australia. 🙁 I look on with envy!
Hi Miss Nemo, I also wondered if I could make these beautiful cookies because I live in Australia. Well I found a brand of Buttermilk- ‘Lotus” brand and here is the link:
http://www.aussiehealthproducts.com.au/milk-products.php?id=6081&Lotus-Buttermilk-Powder-250gm
Red Velvet Emulsion??? I’ve gotta have that stat!! Thanks for the great tip. This looks like the perfect red velvet cookie!
I saw the ones you were working on on Instagram! Cannot wait to see the recipe!!!
I just LOVE-LOVE-LOVE these!!! I can’t wait to make them. They look so pretty! and that icing idea sounds so great 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks for another winner, Callye! Love red velvet!
Ohhhhh, yes please!
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These rock my world!! Love it!
I love powdered buttermilk, it’s such a great staple!
HATE IT!! but since it’s in cookie form, I may love it! At least it won’t look like I’m “hacking into this poor animal that looks like it’s bleeding to death”!!!
Wow,
Can’t wait to try this. Its my husband’s favorite cake (I don’t care too much for it myself)–so think I’m going to try to make some surprise Valentines Red Velvet Roll-outs. Thanks so much for sharing and wish me luck! Now to the store!!
Michaela
d’oh I bet we don’t have powdered butter milk here:( They look so good though.
I had a few people find it online in health food stores.
My boyfriend had his first red velvet cupcake last week and totally thought they were strawberry because the flavor wasn’t strong enough. So won’t need to make these for him! I think they are way over hyped!
I have to admit to never having tried red velvet…cake or otherwise – I’m in the UK and it seems it is a peculiarly American delicacy. These do sound delicious though, and a beautiful colour for Valentines. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for developing this! I can’t wait to try it. I had looked all over for a red vevet cookie and could only find a recipe using cake mix. Yuck. This recipe looks great. Lorann also makes a “cream cheese” flavor that could be used in the royal icing.
Where can you buy red velvet emulsion?
The word red velvet emulsion is a link above. Click on it and it will take you directly to the site.
Red velvet? Love it! Especially when slathered with a good and not-too-sweet cream cheese frosting. I’ll have to keep an eye out for the red velvet emulsion next time I’m out shopping. I already have the buttery vanilla, princess cake & cookie, and buttery sweet dough from Lorann.
I’m a lover of red velevet…the deep color contrasted against the light of the C.C. frosting…BUT not all Red Velvet is made the same…some down right stink 🙁
i love that you made them into a cookie..will have to add them on my “One day I might have time to try all the fabulous recipes I find” list…which btw keeps growing 🙂
These cookies deserve to walk the red velvet carpet!!! 🙂
😀 haha! They look delish!
you are so funny! Thanks for making the kids and I’s day today!
🙂 I almost made pastel cupcake cookies, and then I remembered that boys probably don’t want a pink cookie! LOL
Oh wow I have to try these cookies! They look so yummy.
I noticed you didn’t chill the dough before baking as we normally do with sugar cookie dough. Does this dough spread out when baking? Your hearts are perfectly shaped!
I never chill my cookie dough. It didn’t spread at all. You just have to make sure it’s soft but not sticky. It’s very similar to my basic sugar cookie dough.
LOVE IT!! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!
I LIKE Red Velvet cake but don’t LOVE it. But–I have a feeling I would LOVE these cookies!!!!
WOW! These cookies look amazing! I love love LOVE red velvet!!
It must be that I’m a northern girl because I’ve never had red velvet anything. I honestly had never heard of it until Nick and Jessica’s wedding! Crazy right? These look so fun though!
LOL!!! It’s pretty much chocolate cake with red #40, LOL!
I am actually from the town that Steel Magnolias was filmed in and *gasp I highly dislike red velvet cake. I pretty much don’t like chocolate flavored baked goods in general. However, my fiance loves red velvet and I’ve already made him red velvet cake bites, so I might try this out. Thanks!
My mom has a jar of the buttermilk powder in the fridge at all times. I love that.
On the subject of red velvet, if I want a chocolate cake, I want a chocolate cake.
While i personally hate Red Velvet Cake, I’m going to have to make these for my husband. I’ll just have to make a batch of regular cookies for myself., maybe in a nice dinosaur shape. hehe
I am a southern girl as well, and am not a fan of red velvet cake. These are just beautiful and I may have to try them!!
I love this!!! So cute!! AND I love buttermilk powder, I always have some in my fridge! Way more affordable than wasting a bottle of buttermilk when I only need a cup of it at a time.
RIGHT!
Woot! I make mine with a splash of balsamic 🙂 They look gorgeous girl!
SO excited to try these – hooray! Thanks, as always. 🙂
So decadent…..can’t wait to try them! Thanks for sharing Callye.
WOW…these look amazing!!! Cant wait to try them!
Hi , What can I use instead of powdered buttermillk? – Thanks
Maybe real, but you woul have to make adjustments to the recipe so that the dough is still the right consistency. I tried it with real and didn’t like it.
Powered Buttermilk is the BEST thing ever invented!!! I LOVE this stuff and use it all the time!! Plus the $$ is so way much better than buying the actual BM because how often does anyone drink BM?….ewww! Doesn’t take very good drinking it, but baking with it……..boy does it make a huge difference!! Glad u found this!!!
yaneri
YUM! Does anyone else want to make these into sandwich cookies, with cream cheese icing in between?!?
Great idea!!!
Our cake decorating supplies are very limited here in Alaska. What could be substituted for thd Red Velvet Emulsion? A tsp or two of red food coloring, maybe?
If you can’t get Lorann emulsion, use a teaspoon or two of plain red gel paste, depending on how deep of a color you’d like. Just make sure to keep the amount of liquid the same, meaning you’d need to add a tbsp. of vanilla bean paste rather than 2 tsp.
Wow beautiful cookies! Where do you get Lorann red velvet emulsion?
Are these crunchy or soft?
Soft. To make them crunchy try baking them a little longer.
Forgot to add. If they are chewy how can I make them so that turn out crunchy?
so perfect for Valentines day
I’m not a big fan of red velvet either.. But these cookies look so pretty!!
I’m seeing cream cheese frosting all over these babies!
I have never eaten anything red velvet but I have to tell you that I’m really impressed that you came up with this roll-out cookie recipe. Chocolate royal icing, these…you are continually adding so much goodness to the world of cookie decorators.
I am a Southern gal and I dont like red velvet cake either. I love Steel Magnolias and adore the bleeding groom’s cake!
I LOVE YOU!!!
I’m in love! Although, I don’t like red velvet cake either, I’m loving the beauty of these cookies!
What a great idea
Andreja
http://www.stancerfamily.blogspot.com
Okay, I just pulled thses out of the oven, AMAZING! Thank you so much for the recipe!! What a great valentines cookie!! <3 <3 <3 !!!
Ohhhh, how festive! I bet these would be wonderful drizzled with cream cheese frosting or melted white chocolate.
Oh they would be GORGEOUS!!!
I’m with you! I’m about as sounthern as they come yet red velvet is high on my “ick”-list! 🙁 These do, however, look wonderful!!
OMG, you are EVIL!! I’ve been fighting a craving for red velvet cake, and you aren’t helping at ALL!!! When I cave and get a piece (because I can’t bake where I am) I’m totally blaming you! =P
… mmm, tasty tasty blame, makes the cake even better! *wink*
LOVE it! Red Velvet is one of my favorites, especially when topped with cream cheese frosting. Your cookies are beautiful and so PERFECT. I’ve never heard of that emulsion…will look into it, thanks!
Thank you, Brenda!
that looks so delicious!!
Thank you for creating this recipe! I made it tonight, and it turned out perfectly. I couldn’t stop eating the raw dough (I know, raw eggs) as I was rolling it out. After the cookies were baked, they were even more delicious! Such a pretty colour too. Thank you, thank you!
Well, aren’t these just darling?>???? Such bright red! love them
I am making these this weekend. Just the recipe I was looking for for Valentine’s Day. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe! I love your blog – I have learned so much, and I love looking at all of your beautiful cookies. You are the best!
Do you think these would be just as yummy omitting the red coloring and using it as a chocolate roll out cookie?
Love red velvet! Very nice!
I will have to try these … My son makes a man red velvet cake — Not being southern I had never had tried one … always sounded gross with the red dye … but his is GREAT and he makes a whipped cream cream cheese frosting that is not too sweet … hmm will have to adapt for the frosting.
I have WONDERED and maybe you or a reader knows is the dye really needed? In his cakes I would presume you could just a the 2 tlb (or whatever) of water instead of the dye — anyone? he won’t try it says it is fine and not messing with it … lol
THANK you for ANY insight …
Page
Girl – these look and sound awesome. Do you know I’m a red velvet virgin. I’ve never had a red velvet anything. I can’t get pass the color, but a cookie – I can do that!
What perfect cookies. Thanks for sharing your little secrets. The color turned out so nice.
What pretty cookies! I love red velvet. My mom has always served her red velvet with a 7-minute frosting instead of the more common cream cheese. I’m definitely going to add these to my to-make list, but was wondering what kind of vanilla is a good brand you’ve used?
Never heard of powdered buttermilk before…so glad you introduced this to me! I love red velvet cake, so I bet these are absolutely fab!!!
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I didn’t realize powdered buttermilk existed! Honestly, lack of buttermilk in my fridge keeps me from making so many recipes, I’m excited to know about powdered buttermilk. I think this could be an amazing addition to my baking life!! 😀
Hi Callye, the recipe looks great, I’ve never seen the powdered buttermilk either what store did you buy it from? Thanks Marlyn
I got it in the baking aisle of my local grocery store, but they someone emailed me and mentioned they found it at the health food store also. Want me to mail you some?!
Hey, I love the look of this recipe but im in the uk and cant find powdered buttermilk anywhere – could you possibly recommend a substitute? possibly actual buttermilk instead of the milk? and if so what would the quantities be?
thank you so much x
Thank you so much for posting this because I had been thinking about a red velvet cookie roll out dough but I don’t have a lot of time with my daily schedule. Have you ever thought about making a peanut butter cookie roll out dough?
When I saw this recipe I just had to try it! They turned out great! I love red velvet. These are by far the most beautiful cookies I have ever made… I couldn’t bring myself to put icing on them =] Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!! Thank you thank you thank you!!
I did it! My nephew got engaged and his fiance is a big fan of red velvet cake. so I said why not? They came out great. The only problem that I had was they were sticky and I had to incorporate more flour/cocoa each time I rolled out portions. My hands had a thick layer of dough on them by the time I was done. I think my problem was putting a whole Tbspn of red gel as opposed to the 1 tsp and mentioned and the very bottom of your instructions. Maybe. But thanks. Everyone loved them.
I bet that was it! I put the maximum liquid possible in the original recipe so even a teaspoon or two could make it quite a bit more sticky. Glad they liked them
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OK, I’ve said it before but….YOU ROCK CALLYE!!!!!! As a true Southern Belle myself, I won’t say I don’t like Red Velvet Cake, let’s just say I usally pick the other cake available. HOWEVER, I thought these would be pretty for Valentine’s day. I tasted one and they are my favorite cookies ever!!!! That’s saying alot because I bake cookies almost daily and I play around with every emulsion created. You are my cookie heroine, I love you!
Hi! Is there any substitute for the powder buttermilk because that isn’t sold here in Puerto Rico?
Those look wonderful! I love the colour!! I wonder what kind of cookies you made with them after… Hmmmm… Probably something wonderful!
I could tell when I tasted the dough that these were going to be awesome!! And I was right! I made these for Valentine’s Day for individual fruit pizzas, using a large heart cookie cutter, as well as for cookies for friends. Thank you for sharing this!
I made these cookies for valentines and they got RAVE reviews! Everyone absolutely adored them. Your website is great, all your recipes I have tried so far, have been absolutely perfect. Thank you! Thank you!
Would love to try these, they look amazing! You are a true genius!!!! Now the question is…where do I get powdered buttermilk in South Africa?
Hey. did you manage to find buttermilk powder in SA cause I cannot?
I have searched everywhere!
I noticed on the tips under the Red Velvet Roll-Out Cookies the last line mentioned on how to have the perfect cookie. I tried to go to the link, but a link did not come through. Is there someone that could lead me to this? THANKS!
https://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/blog/category/recipes/basic-sugar-cookie-recipe/
I wanna know can you use any red coloring if so how much?
Cant wait to make these i have everything but the coloring you ask us to use…i have the regular Mcormick brand coloring.
Use the same amount as the red velvet emulsion =)
I’ve FINALLY got around to making these yesterday, and they are INSANELY good!!!! The dough was easy to handle and rolled out great — used the tip about cocoa/flour combo for rolling out. And they baked perfectly. To frost them I tried using my regular modified RI and added a touch of the Lorann oil Cheesecake flavor. Yum. Thanks for a keeper, Callye!!
I really want to make these, but I just can’t find powered buttermilk! Is there a substitute for it?
If you have a Wegman’s, they carry it – in with the “Natural’ foods.
The vinegar is to activate the dry buttermilk, actually. You could use lemon juice instead if vinegar in cookies gives you the heebie jeebies.
I used this buttermilk powder to make my own pancake mix and they just didn’t fluff up or really taste great until I thought to add a splash of lemon juice to the batter.
Hello. I am too new here.. just knew about this blog today:) shouldn’t we add any vanilla? I will be looking for the emulsion..although not sure where to find it.
I do red velvet cake and use buttermilk but never thought of using the powdered one.
Thank you for the tips.
I love your recipes and follow your blog. This is also the first time I am commenting on ANY blog! Am in Perth Australia, and made these today…..they are AMAZING, so much so, that I decided I had to post my comment. After many, many, many hours of searching online for buttermilk powder, (not readily available in Australia) believe it or not, I finally found it at a Soap Making Supply store in Kardinya, Western Australia. So first thing this morning, I went out and bought some. I bought the Lorann emulsion from Cake Decorating Suppliers in Malaga, Perth. The only problem with these cookies is that once you start eating them, you just can’t stop! Thanks for a great recipe! PS. Your royal icing tips and techniques have been extremely resourceful and of great help, many thanks!!!!
Mine turned out sticky and greasy it seemed….I had a residue on my hands 🙁 I definitely did something wrong. I’ve made your sugar cookies before and they came out perfectly! I’m so bummed I messed these up!
this is my NEW FAVORITE recipe!!! I love love love it! The cookies practically jump off the cutting board themselves!! Thank you so much 🙂
Wonder if it would be possible to make something similar with a red velvet cake mix. I don’t usually use mixes, but my husband bought 3 of them. If not, yay… I happen to have the Lorann emulsion!
Pretty sure I would slap some cream cheese frosting on these babies..and enjoy!