Red Velvet Kiss Cookies

So, I guess it's become a tradition to make a red velvet cookie every holiday season. Last year it was these red and white velvet cookies and the year before it was these red velvet cheesecake cookies. This year, it's red velvet kiss cookies...but I broke the habit of using cake mix and made these babies from scratch!

I've always been against making red velvet things from scratch because of the copious amounts of red food dye you have to witness go into the recipe. But after getting my hands on Americolor super red gel paste, I feel a lot better about it. A little goes a long way with this gel paste, so I don't have to worry that I might be feeding myself cancer.


These cookies are crispy on the outside, delightfully chewy on the inside, and all around addicting. To keep your kisses from melting down like mine did, simply freeze them before placing them onto the cookies-- a step that I clearly didn't have time to do.

You'll also have to forgive me for this two picture post. It's been a hectic two weeks, but I'll be back Monday with a blondie recipe to die for and more than two pictures, for sure! Have a great weekend!

Red Velvet Kiss Cookies

Yield: 15 cookies

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
red food coloring
pinch of vanilla powder (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
1 teaspoon white vinegar
15 Hershey's Kisses HUGS, frozen

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In another bowl, whisk together butter and sugars until well-combined. Whisk in egg, red food coloring as needed, vanilla, and vinegar.

Slowly pour in dry ingredients and using an electric hand mixer, beat to incorporate.

Using a medium cookie scoop, about 1.5 tablespoons, scoop out portions of dough. Shape into balls and place on prepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes. After removing from the oven, place a Hershey's Kisses HUG into the center of each cookie.

Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.