Name: Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature; 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon red velvet bakery emulsion or red gel food color; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup cocoa powder; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips divided; 4 oz. cream cheese room temperature; 1/2 cup butter room temperature; 2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 57 reviews

If you’re someone who loves that perfect blend of soft, chocolaty cookies and creamy frosting sandwiched together, you’re in for a real treat with this Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe. These aren’t just any cookies—they’re luscious, vibrant, and have the kind of melt-in-your-mouth magic that makes you want to bake batch after batch. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll wonder how you lived without them!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture: The combination of butter, both sugars, and cream cheese frosting creates soft, chewy cookies that are still sturdy enough to hold their sandwich shape.
Signature Flavor Balance: The cocoa powder mixed with the distinct red velvet flavoring adds just the right amount of chocolate depth without overpowering the frosting.
Easy to Personalize: From the piping bag frosting technique to adding chocolate chips on top, there’s room to make these your very own special treat.
User-Friendly Technique: The steps give you clear timing and mixing tips so even if cookies aren’t your usual thing, you’ll get them right every time.

Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies, red velvet cookies, sandwich cookies with cream cheese frosting, chocolate red velvet cookies, easy red velvet cookie recipe - There are four red velvet cookies with chocolate chips arranged in a row on a white rectangular plate on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is thick and round with a slightly rough texture and visible chocolate chips on the surface. They are sandwiched with a smooth, white cream filling that stands out against the deep red color of the cookies. In the background, there is a stack of similar sandwich cookies on another white plate, and a glass bottle of milk with a red and white striped straw. The whole scene is clean and bright. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic behind this Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe comes down to the ingredients all working in harmony. I always recommend using room temperature butter and cream cheese because it makes mixing smoother and your frosting more luscious. Plus, quality milk chocolate chips and a reliable red velvet emulsion or gel color will really bring the flavor and look to life.

Unsalted butter: Controls how much salt goes into the recipe, and room temp butter whips up fluffy cookie dough and frosting.
Light brown sugar and granulated sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar helps with crisp edges.
Egg: Acts as a binder and gives structure, so your cookies hold together beautifully.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, giving a warm, comforting note.
Red velvet bakery emulsion or red gel food color: This delivers the iconic deep red hue and that slightly tangy essence traditional to red velvet.
Baking soda: Helps cookies rise gently for a soft texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness perfectly.
Cocoa powder: Adds a subtle chocolate kick that isn’t overwhelming.
All-purpose flour: The base that brings everything together in the dough.
Milk chocolate chips: Give little pockets of melty sweetness; I love pressing some on top for extra drama!
Cream cheese: The heart of the frosting, lending that signature tang and creaminess.
Powdered sugar and milk: Make your frosting sweet and smooth enough to pipe perfectly.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love to make this Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe my own depending on the season or my mood. Sometimes I swap the milk chocolate chips for white chocolate or even dark chocolate for a bolder taste. You can easily adjust the intensity of the red color or even try a pinch of cinnamon in the dough for something unexpected yet delicious.

Variation: One time, I added a teaspoon of espresso powder to the dough, and it brought out the cocoa flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee—totally addicting!
Dairy-Free Modification: You can use dairy-free butter and cream cheese alternatives to enjoy this recipe if you’re avoiding dairy, just ensure they’re softened to room temperature before use.
Less Sweet Version: Reduce powdered sugar slightly in the frosting if you prefer your sandwich cookies less sweet; I’ve done this when pairing them with rich coffee.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

This part is where patience pays off. I use my hand mixer and beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for a full two minutes until the mixture turns light and fluffy. It’s tempting to rush, but this step creates that airy texture in your cookies. Don’t skip it!

Step 2: Add the Egg, Vanilla, and Red Velvet Emulsion

Once your base is fluffy, add the egg, vanilla extract, and that gorgeous red velvet emulsion or gel color. Mix until everything is well blended. Seeing that red shade come to life here feels like a magical moment in the kitchen.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Carefully

Switch your mixer to low and add baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and flour gradually, so your dough doesn’t turn tough. When almost all the flour is mixed in, crank it up to high for 20 seconds to get a nice dough ball. This technique creates a tender cookie that won’t crumble apart.

Step 4: Chocolate Chip Love

Fold in a cup of chocolate chips into the dough, then scoop out your cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. I like to give each cookie some space because they spread a little. Press a few remaining chips on top of each dough ball for a pretty finish that’s also extra melty!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes. The smell during this time? Absolutely heavenly. Let them cool for 10-15 minutes on the baking sheet to set, then transfer to a cooling rack to chill completely. Patience here is key so your cookies don’t fall apart when you frost them.

Step 6: Whip the Frosting

Mix cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy—it usually takes about two minutes with a hand mixer. Then add vanilla, powdered sugar, and milk. Beat on high for another two minutes until the frosting is perfectly pipeable and luscious.

Step 7: Assemble and Enjoy

Fill a piping bag with your frosting—using a star tip adds a beautiful swirl—and gently pipe onto one cookie before topping it with its partner. Give a slight squeeze to sandwich and you’re ready to indulge!

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Pro Tips for Making Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Soft butter and cream cheese blend better, ensuring a smooth dough and frosting.
Don’t Overmix Flour: Mixing on low and finishing with a brief high speed helps keep cookies tender without being dense.
Press Chips On Top: It makes the cookies look bakery-worthy and adds surprise bursts of chocolate.
Cool Completely Before Frosting: Putting frosting on warm cookies melts it and can make assembly messy, so patience pays off.

How to Serve Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe

Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I sometimes sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible gold dust or finely crushed freeze-dried raspberries on top of the frosting for a festive touch. It adds a little zing and makes these cookies pop during holiday gatherings.

Side Dishes

These sandwich cookies pair wonderfully with a creamy latte or a glass of cold milk. For a fancy touch, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh berries to balance the rich sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking them in a pretty glass jar or tying them up with a festive ribbon as a sweet gift. For parties, I like placing them on a decorative wooden board with some leafy greenery and small flowers – it instantly elevates the vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover sandwich cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I like to layer them with parchment paper to keep the frosting intact and the cookies from sticking together.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these delightful Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies, assemble them first and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for about 2 months and thaw gently in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

Reheat leftover cookies by letting them come to room temperature or popping them in a warm (not hot) oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to revive that fresh-baked softness—just don’t overdo it or the frosting might melt.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without red velvet emulsion or food coloring?

Absolutely! If you skip the red velvet emulsion or food coloring, you’ll end up with delicious chocolate sandwich cookies instead. The cocoa powder and chocolate chips still deliver great flavor—just less of that iconic red.”
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is properly softened but not melting, and chill your dough for 15-20 minutes if your kitchen is warm. Also, leaving enough space between cookies on the baking sheet helps them bake evenly without merging.
Can I use store-bought cream cheese frosting instead?

Yes, store-bought frosting works if you’re short on time! Just make sure it’s a thicker variety so it holds its shape between the sandwich cookies. You might want to pipe it on to avoid messiness.
How long do these Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about 3 days. Refrigeration can extend freshness but may firm up the frosting, so allow cookies to come to room temp before serving.
What if I don’t have a piping bag—how can I frost the cookies?

No worries! You can spread the frosting with a small spatula or knife. It might not look as fancy, but it still tastes amazing. Or, use a resealable plastic bag, snip a tiny corner, and pipe that way for an easy alternative.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies Recipe is one of those kitchen wins that feels special every time—whether it’s a quiet afternoon treat or something you share with friends and family on a festive occasion. I’ve had countless moments where these cookies sparked smiles and warm conversations, and I hope they do the same for you. Give the recipe a try, trust the process, and don’t forget to savor every bite—you’ll be so glad you did!