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Santa’s Red Velvet Cookies

Santa’s Red Velvet Cookies are the ultimate festive treat for the holiday season! Imagine a soft, chewy cookie bursting with the rich flavors of red velvet, paired with the sweet creaminess of white chocolate chips and the festive pop of colorful holiday M&Ms. These cookies are so easy to make, thanks to a simple shortcut using red velvet cake mix, yet they come out looking like they’ve been crafted by a professional baker. Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or just a sweet treat to leave out for Santa, these cookies are guaranteed to bring joy and delight to everyone who takes a bite.

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Santa’s Red Velvet Cookies

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🎅 These Santa’s Red Velvet Cookies are the perfect holiday treat! Soft, chewy, and packed with a rich, velvety flavor. Make your season even sweeter! 🎄 #RedVelvetMagic #SantaCookies #HolidayBaking #FestiveTreats #ChewyGoodness #ChristmasDelights #BakingJoy #SweetSeason #CookieCravings #VelvetIndulgence

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 18 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 ounces) Red Velvet cake mix
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ½ cup butter, melted and slightly cooled (or canola/vegetable oil)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup holiday M&Ms

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will ensure the cookies bake evenly and won’t stick to the sheets. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can also lightly grease the baking sheets, but parchment will give you the best results for easy cleanup and consistent cookie texture.

Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter (or oil if you prefer) using a wooden spoon or spatula. Stir until everything is just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can result in dense cookies. The dough should be thick, soft, and slightly sticky. The red velvet mix will give the dough its rich, deep color and a hint of cocoa flavor that is perfect for the holidays.

Step 3: Add the Chocolate Chips and M&Ms

Once the dough is ready, fold in the white chocolate chips and holiday M&Ms. These will add both sweetness and a festive touch to your cookies. The M&Ms, with their bright colors, will create a fun and eye-catching contrast against the deep red of the dough. You can use any type of M&Ms you like, but the holiday-colored ones are perfect for adding a pop of red and green to your Christmas treats.

Step 4: Scoop and Shape the Dough

Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, which is about 2 tablespoons in size, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave a few inches of space between each dough ball to allow for spreading during baking. Aim to place no more than 6 cookies per sheet to ensure they have plenty of room to bake evenly. If you like, you can top each cookie with a few extra white chocolate chips and M&Ms to add even more color and a touch of extra sweetness.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the cookies have set in the center, but haven’t yet started to brown around the edges. Red velvet cookies are meant to be soft and chewy, so be sure not to over-bake them. If you prefer a slightly firmer cookie, you can leave them in the oven for an extra minute or two, but be cautious not to let them brown.

Step 6: Cool the Cookies

Once the cookies are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This will allow them to firm up slightly, making them easier to transfer without breaking. After the initial cooling time, use a spatula to move the cookies to a wire rack where they can cool completely. The cookies will be soft and delicate, so handle them gently.

Notes

  • Butter vs. Oil: You can use melted butter for a rich, flavorful cookie or substitute with canola or vegetable oil for a slightly lighter texture. Both options work well, so it’s up to you!
  • Chocolate Chips: While white chocolate chips are the classic choice for these red velvet cookies, you can easily swap them for semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips if you prefer a different type of chocolate.
  • M&Ms: The holiday M&Ms are great for adding color and a festive touch, but you can use regular M&Ms, mini M&Ms, or even chocolate-covered candies for a different twist. You could also omit the M&Ms and add sprinkles for an extra fun touch.
  • Gluten-Free Option: To make these cookies gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free red velvet cake mix. Just be sure to check the label to ensure it’s truly gluten-free.
  • Decorating Ideas: If you want to make these cookies even more festive, you can drizzle them with melted white or dark chocolate, sprinkle with edible glitter, or add a few more colorful sprinkles for extra sparkle.
  • Author: Rosa
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes

Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, these red velvet cookies are quick to prepare, requiring only 20 minutes from start to finish. With a texture that’s soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and just the right amount of chewiness, these cookies are sure to become a favorite holiday tradition. The red velvet cake mix shortcut not only saves time but also delivers the signature flavor that’s rich in chocolatey goodness and enhanced with the sweetness of white chocolate chips and the festive crunch of M&Ms.

So, grab your apron and get ready to bake up a batch of these delightful cookies! They’re perfect for sharing with family and friends or even as a sweet gift for the holiday season. Let’s dive into this easy and delicious recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Ingredients

  • 1 box (15.25 ounces) Red Velvet cake mix
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ½ cup butter, melted and slightly cooled (or canola/vegetable oil)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup holiday M&Ms

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will ensure the cookies bake evenly and won’t stick to the sheets. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can also lightly grease the baking sheets, but parchment will give you the best results for easy cleanup and consistent cookie texture.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter (or oil if you prefer) using a wooden spoon or spatula. Stir until everything is just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can result in dense cookies. The dough should be thick, soft, and slightly sticky. The red velvet mix will give the dough its rich, deep color and a hint of cocoa flavor that is perfect for the holidays.

Step 3: Add the Chocolate Chips and M&Ms

Once the dough is ready, fold in the white chocolate chips and holiday M&Ms. These will add both sweetness and a festive touch to your cookies. The M&Ms, with their bright colors, will create a fun and eye-catching contrast against the deep red of the dough. You can use any type of M&Ms you like, but the holiday-colored ones are perfect for adding a pop of red and green to your Christmas treats.

Step 4: Scoop and Shape the Dough

Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, which is about 2 tablespoons in size, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave a few inches of space between each dough ball to allow for spreading during baking. Aim to place no more than 6 cookies per sheet to ensure they have plenty of room to bake evenly. If you like, you can top each cookie with a few extra white chocolate chips and M&Ms to add even more color and a touch of extra sweetness.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the cookies have set in the center, but haven’t yet started to brown around the edges. Red velvet cookies are meant to be soft and chewy, so be sure not to over-bake them. If you prefer a slightly firmer cookie, you can leave them in the oven for an extra minute or two, but be cautious not to let them brown.

Step 6: Cool the Cookies

Once the cookies are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This will allow them to firm up slightly, making them easier to transfer without breaking. After the initial cooling time, use a spatula to move the cookies to a wire rack where they can cool completely. The cookies will be soft and delicate, so handle them gently.

Flavors, Textures, and Aromas

These Santa’s Red Velvet Cookies are a treat for the senses. As they bake, the rich, warm aroma of chocolate fills the kitchen, instantly evoking thoughts of holiday celebrations. The texture is perfectly soft, with a slight chewiness in every bite, while the white chocolate chips add a creamy richness that pairs wonderfully with the tangy, slightly cocoa-flavored red velvet dough. The crunch of the M&Ms adds a fun texture contrast, as well as a burst of sweetness with every bite. Each cookie is a delightful balance of rich flavor, festive color, and a touch of holiday magic.

Tips for Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

This recipe is already quite simple and versatile, but there are a few ways you can customize it to suit your preferences or dietary needs:

  • Butter vs. Oil: You can use melted butter for a rich, flavorful cookie or substitute with canola or vegetable oil for a slightly lighter texture. Both options work well, so it’s up to you!
  • Chocolate Chips: While white chocolate chips are the classic choice for these red velvet cookies, you can easily swap them for semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips if you prefer a different type of chocolate.
  • M&Ms: The holiday M&Ms are great for adding color and a festive touch, but you can use regular M&Ms, mini M&Ms, or even chocolate-covered candies for a different twist. You could also omit the M&Ms and add sprinkles for an extra fun touch.
  • Gluten-Free Option: To make these cookies gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free red velvet cake mix. Just be sure to check the label to ensure it’s truly gluten-free.
  • Decorating Ideas: If you want to make these cookies even more festive, you can drizzle them with melted white or dark chocolate, sprinkle with edible glitter, or add a few more colorful sprinkles for extra sparkle.

Serving Suggestions

Santa’s Red Velvet Cookies are perfect for all kinds of holiday occasions. Here are a few ways to serve and enjoy them:

  • Cookie Exchanges: These cookies are sure to be a hit at any cookie exchange. Their bright color and irresistible flavor make them a standout among other holiday treats.
  • Holiday Parties: Serve them alongside other festive goodies like gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, or peppermint bark. These red velvet cookies add a pop of color to your dessert table and are sure to get people talking.
  • Gifts: Package these cookies in a cute tin or festive box and give them as a sweet homemade gift. Add a personalized note or tie a ribbon around the box for a lovely, thoughtful present.
  • Santa’s Treat: Don’t forget to leave a few of these cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve! He’ll appreciate the chocolatey goodness and colorful crunch just as much as everyone else.

Conclusion

These Santa’s Red Velvet Cookies are everything you need for a festive, delicious, and easy-to-make holiday treat. With their rich chocolate flavor, soft texture, and fun M&M topping, they’re perfect for cookie exchanges, parties, or just enjoying with your loved ones during the holiday season. The red velvet cake mix shortcut makes them quick to prepare, while still delivering a homemade cookie that looks and tastes impressive. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe will bring holiday cheer to your kitchen and your taste buds. So, get baking, and let these sweet, festive cookies bring joy to your holiday season!

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