Vegan Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

Dreamy Vegan Red Velvet Cookies Recipe: Soft & Sweet Bliss

Whipping up delectable vegan red velvet cookies feels like a magical culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Crimson-hued delights promise pure plant-based pleasure for anyone seeking something extraordinary.

Cocoa and plant-based ingredients dance together, creating irresistible treats that challenge traditional baking expectations.

Rich colors and smooth textures hint at the delightful experience ahead.

Soft, chewy morsels packed with complex flavors will surprise even the most skeptical dessert enthusiasts.

Curious bakers can transform simple ingredients into stunning confections that spark joy and conversation.

You’ll want to savor every delightful bite of these spectacular cookies.

Why Vegan Red Velvet Cookies Are So Soft And Tasty

  • Swap Traditional Baking: Create a plant-based dessert that transforms classic red velvet cookies into a vegan-friendly treat without compromising deliciousness.
  • Master Smart Substitutions: Craft cookies using innovative ingredients like ground flaxseed and vegan cream cheese, proving plant-based baking can be just as indulgent and satisfying as traditional recipes.
  • Customize for Any Celebration: Perfect for holiday gatherings, birthday parties, or casual weekend treats, these vibrant red cookies bring excitement and color to any dessert spread while accommodating dietary preferences.
  • Beginner Baker Friendly: Designed with simple techniques and straightforward instructions, this recipe welcomes home bakers of all skill levels to explore vegan baking with confidence and delightful results.

What You Need For Vegan Red Velvet Cookies

Egg Substitute:
  • Ground Flaxseed: Natural binder that mimics egg's binding properties in vegan baking.
  • Water: Helps create a gelatinous texture for the flaxseed mixture.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Vegan Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth, creamy base for the cookies.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie texture and browning.
  • Applesauce: Provides moisture and natural sweetness to the cookie dough.
  • Red Food Coloring: Creates the signature vibrant red color of red velvet cookies.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the primary structure of the cookie.
  • Cocoa Powder: Adds chocolate flavor and contributes to the classic red velvet color.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
Mix-Ins:
  • Vegan Cream Cheese, Chocolate Chips: Add creamy texture and extra bursts of sweetness to the cookies.

Steps To Make Vegan Red Velvet Cookies Easily

Step 1: Create Flax Egg Miracle

Mix ground flaxseed with water and let sit for 5 minutes. This magical mixture will become your egg replacement, creating a perfect binding texture for your cookies.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream vegan butter and granulated sugar together. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy, which takes about 3 minutes of passionate whisking.

Step 3: Add Vibrant Color and Flavor

Introduce applesauce, red food coloring, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Blend until the color becomes a stunning, uniform red that screams excitement.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together:
  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

This ensures a lump-free mixture with perfect ingredient distribution.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Stir carefully to create a consistent dough, being careful not to overmix.

Step 6: Fold in Delicious Extras

Incorporate vegan cream cheese and chocolate chips. Distribute them evenly throughout the cookie dough for maximum flavor in every bite.

Step 7: Chill the Dough

Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. This allows ingredients to meld together and firms up the texture, intensifying the overall flavor profile.

Step 8: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 9: Shape Cookies

Scoop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Leave 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for slightly crisp edges while keeping the centers soft and gooey.

Step 11: Cool and Enjoy

Remove cookies from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Get ready to indulge in vegan red velvet heaven!

Helpful Tips For Vegan Red Velvet Cookies

  • Bind with Flaxseed: Let ground flaxseed and water sit for exactly 5 minutes to create a perfect egg replacement with ideal gelatinous consistency.
  • Color Carefully: Use gel-based red food coloring for more vibrant color and deeper red hue without watering down the cookie dough.
  • Chill for Success: Refrigerating dough helps prevent spreading and creates richer, more concentrated flavor profiles during baking.
  • Gentle Mixing Matters: Fold dry ingredients gently to avoid tough cookies, stopping when ingredients are just combined for tender texture.
  • Space Strategically: Leave 2 inches between cookie dough portions to allow proper spreading and ensure even, consistent baking results.

Fun Twists On Vegan Red Velvet Cookies

  • Holiday Peppermint Splash: Add crushed candy canes and peppermint extract to the dough for a festive winter cookie with cool mint undertones.
  • Nutty Chocolate Chunk: Replace chocolate chips with chopped roasted almonds and dark chocolate chunks, creating a rich and crunchy texture variation.
  • Berry Cream Cheese Swirl: Fold in fresh raspberries and swirl additional vegan cream cheese on top before baking, introducing a tangy fruit element.
  • Spiced Chai Infusion: Mix in ground cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger to transform the cookies with warm, aromatic chai-inspired flavors.

Perfect Pairings For Vegan Red Velvet Cookies

  • Pair Creamy Chai Latte: Warm, spicy chai tea with hints of cinnamon and cardamom perfectly complements the rich, chocolatey red velvet cookie, balancing its sweetness and adding a cozy, comforting dimension.
  • Serve with Vanilla Bean Coconut Ice Cream: Smooth, cold coconut-based ice cream with delicate vanilla bean specks provides a luxurious contrast to the warm, soft cookies, creating a delightful temperature and texture experience.
  • Match with Raspberry Mint Sparkling Water: Crisp, refreshing sparkling water infused with bright raspberry and cool mint cuts through the cookie's richness, offering a palate-cleansing and light accompaniment that enhances the dessert's flavor profile.

Storage Tips For Vegan Red Velvet Cookies

  • Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their soft texture.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers, lasting up to 3 months for long-term enjoyment.
  • Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain crisp and delicious.
  • Wrap each cookie separately in plastic wrap to preserve moisture and prevent them from drying out when storing for short periods.

FAQs For Vegan Red Velvet Cookies Beginners

  • Why use ground flaxseed as an egg substitute?

Ground flaxseed creates a gelatinous texture similar to eggs, binding ingredients together while keeping the recipe completely vegan and adding nutritional benefits like omega-3 fatty acids.

  • How does red food coloring impact the cookie's appearance?

Red food coloring provides the signature vibrant red velvet color, transforming plain chocolate cookies into a visually striking dessert that looks as delicious as it tastes.

  • Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have vegan cream cheese?

You can replace vegan cream cheese with similar plant-based alternatives like cashew cream or coconut cream, though the texture and richness might slightly vary from the original recipe.

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Vegan Red Velvet Cookies Recipe

Vegan Red Velvet Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 55-57 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Luscious vegan red velvet cookies bring classic Southern charm to plant-based desserts. Rich cocoa and crimson hues promise delightful indulgence that welcomes you into sweet, compassionate baking bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup vegan butter
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tbsp red food coloring
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Binding/Flavor Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
  • 1/4 cup vegan cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Mix ground flaxseed with water and let sit for 5 minutes to create a binding egg substitute, creating a gelatinous texture.
  2. Cream vegan butter and granulated sugar together in a large mixing bowl until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Incorporate applesauce, red food coloring, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until color is uniform and vibrant.
  4. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently to create a consistent dough without overmixing.
  6. Fold in vegan cream cheese and chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the cookie dough.
  7. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and firm up, enhancing flavor and texture.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  9. Scoop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each cookie.
  10. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are slightly crisp and centers remain soft.
  11. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

  • Swap ground flaxseed with chia seeds for an alternative egg replacement that provides similar binding properties and nutritional benefits.
  • Reduce food coloring by using natural alternatives like beetroot powder to achieve the red velvet color while adding subtle earthy undertones.
  • Chill dough longer for more intense flavor development and prevent spreading during baking, creating a denser, chewier cookie texture.
  • Experiment with different mix-ins like chopped nuts or dried cherries to customize the cookies and add unexpected bursts of flavor and texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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