These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are soft, chewy, and beautifully coated in powdered sugar for that snowy holiday look. The rich cocoa flavor and deep red color make them one of my favorite festive cookies to bake. If you’re building a holiday cookie tray, pair them with my Christmas Sugar Cookies, Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies and Coconut Macaroons for a mix of classic and colorful treats.

These cookies are perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or a fun weekend baking session. They’re festive, simple to make, and always stand out on dessert tables. I also love adding a batch beside my Coconut Snowball Cookies and Gingerbread Man Cookies because the colors look so pretty together and both travel easily for holiday gatherings.

Why you’ll love these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Soft and Chewy Texture:
Each bite has that brownie-like texture that red velvet desserts are known for, with a sweet powdered sugar coating on top. If you love soft cookies, you’ll also enjoy my Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies which have that same chewy center.
Simple Ingredients:
You don’t need anything fancy here, just basic pantry staples like flour, cocoa powder, and sugar. The red food coloring brings that festive pop without any complicated steps.
Perfect for Gifting:
These cookies hold their shape beautifully, making them great for cookie boxes or gifting alongside Chocolate Christmas Trees for a pretty contrast

Stack of three red velvet crinkle cookies coated in powdered sugar showing the crinkled tops and rich red centers.

Easy Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for Christmas Baking

In Ireland, red velvet wasn’t something we made growing up, but anything with cocoa was always a favorite. Since living in Atlanta, these cookies have become part of my holiday baking. I make a big batch, and somehow Bill always finds them before they’ve even cooled. They’ve become one of our go-to Christmas bakes, right up there with Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies.

Ingredients Needed for Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Unsalted butter: Keeps the cookies soft and adds rich flavor. Let it soften before mixing for smooth dough.
Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cookies puff slightly while baking.
Eggs: Bind everything together for structure and softness.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and enhances the chocolate notes.
White vinegar: A classic red velvet ingredient that reacts with the cocoa powder to keep the color vibrant.
Red food coloring: Use gel for the brightest red without making the dough too thin.
All-purpose flour: The base that keeps the cookies chewy and tender.
Cocoa powder: Gives that subtle chocolate flavor red velvet is known for.
Baking powder: Helps create those pretty cracks on top.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor.
Powdered sugar: For rolling before baking. It melts into crinkles and gives that signature snowy look.

Ingredients for Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Tessie's Table.

How to make Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

**For more detailed instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card below.**

Creamed butter and sugar mixture in a glass bowl with two cracked eggs and vanilla extract before blending for red velvet crinkle cookies.

Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and vinegar, mixing until smooth.

Flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt combined in a clear mixing bowl to prepare the dry ingredients for red velvet crinkle cookies.

Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.

Butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla creamed together in a glass bowl with cocoa powder and red food coloring added on top for red velvet crinkle cookie dough.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, along with the red food coloring.

Smooth, vibrant red velvet crinkle cookie dough fully mixed and ready to chill before baking.

Mix until smooth and chill for at least one hour.

A ball of red velvet cookie dough being rolled in powdered sugar before baking for classic crinkle texture.

Scoop dough into 1-inch balls, roll in powdered sugar.

Baked red velvet crinkle cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet showing crackled powdered sugar tops.

Bake for 10–12 minutes until the tops are cracked and the cookies are set.

Variations

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: Skip the red food coloring and add a touch more cocoa powder for a classic chocolate version. Try serving them with my Gingerbread Trifle for a rich and minty dessert combo.
Peppermint Red Velvet Cookies: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the dough and top each cookie with a sprinkle of crushed candy canes before baking.
Cream Cheese Frosted Version: Spread or drizzle cream cheese frosting over cooled cookies for a sweet and tangy twist.
Sandwich Cookies: Spread frosting between two cookies for a red velvet sandwich treat. These look great in cookie gift boxes.
Festive Sprinkle Roll: Instead of powdered sugar, roll the dough balls in red and green sanding sugar for a sparkly, kid-friendly option that feels like decorating Christmas Sugar Cookies.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday Cookie Tray: Mix them with Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies, Coconut Snowball Cookies, and Linzer Cookies for a colorful, festive display.
Gift Boxes: Stack them neatly in tins with parchment between layers. They stay soft and look beautiful when gifted with Turtle Thumbprint Cookies.
After-Dinner Treat: Serve with coffee or a glass of milk for a simple dessert that still feels special.
Cookie Exchange Party: These stand out on any cookie table with their bold red color and snowy sugar coating.
Pair with Ice Cream: Sandwich them around vanilla or cream cheese ice cream for a fun frozen twist on red velvet.

Storage and Freezing

How should I store Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Add a small piece of sandwich bread in the container to keep them soft..

Can I freeze Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies?

Yes, you can freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough. Freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to two months, or roll unbaked dough balls in powdered sugar and freeze them on a tray before transferring to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding one extra minute to the time.

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Red velvet crinkle cookie broken in half to show its soft, chewy inside with snowy powdered sugar coating, set in front of a frosted Christmas tree.

Tips & Tricks

Chill the Dough: This step helps the cookies hold their shape and develop the perfect crinkle tops.
Use Gel Food Coloring: It gives a stronger red color and keeps the dough thick. I use this one.
Don’t Overbake: They should still look a little soft in the middle when you take them out. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Generously Coat with Powdered Sugar: A thick sugar layer ensures those classic white cracks after baking.
Make It Ahead: You can mix the dough a day ahead and bake when ready. This is handy when prepping for big cookie trays.

More Yummy Desserts

Looking for more meal inspiration?

Browse my Holiday Favorites or check out my Desserts for more yummy ideas.

FAQ

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
You can, but you’ll need more of it for the same bright color, and it may make the dough a little sticky.
Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, the dough can chill for up to 24 hours. Just let it sit out for 10 minutes before scooping.
Why didn’t my cookies crack properly?
If the dough wasn’t cold enough, the cookies might not form the crinkle effect. Make sure to chill them before baking.
Can I skip the vinegar?
You can, but it’s what gives red velvet that subtle tang and color enhancement. The cookies will still bake fine without it.
Can I use brown sugar?
It’ll make the cookies slightly more moist and add caramel notes. They’ll taste good, just a bit different.
How do I keep the powdered sugar from melting?
Coat the dough balls just before baking and use plenty of sugar. Don’t let them sit too long before going into the oven.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Yes, mini chocolate chips add an extra chocolate bite without changing the bake time.
Can I double the recipe?
Definitely. It doubles easily, but chill the dough in two separate bowls for easier scooping.
What should I bake next?
If you love these, try my Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies or Christmas Sugar Cookies for more festive baking ideas.