Indulge in the irresistible allure of homemade Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies – a delightful copycat recipe that captures the essence of your favorite bakery treat, but with the unparalleled freshness and flavor of a homemade creation. These magnificent cookies are thick, wonderfully soft, and crowned with the silkiest, tangiest cream cheese frosting swirl, echoing the iconic Crumbl experience right in your kitchen.
Each bite delivers that authentic red velvet magic: a buttery base with a subtle tang, a hint of deep cocoa, and a vibrant crimson hue. To elevate the experience, a sprinkle of delicate cookie crumbs adds that perfect bakery-style finish. Forget the lines and the price tag; these cookies promise pure bliss that’s both cheaper and, dare we say, even better than the original.
If your heart beats for irresistible Crumbl dupes, you absolutely must try our other popular recipes. Explore the comforting flavors of our Crumbl Nilla Cupcake Cookies, savor the chocolatey twist in our Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies, or dive into the decadence of our Red Velvet Cream Cheese Swirled Brownies. Each recipe is crafted to bring that beloved bakery taste directly to your home.
“These are AMAZING. I just love red velvet and these come out so well! I love your crumbl cookie recipes! They all come out thick, soft, and chewy! If you don’t like sweetness you can just not add the frosting on top as the cookie isn’t that sweet but boy does it make it more delicious. I was supposed to start a diet this year, but with these cookies, the diet could wait till next year!”
– Elizaybeth
Let’s Chit Chat About These Cookies!
Recreating beloved Crumbl cookies at home has become one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of my culinary journey, and I absolutely adore sharing these delightful dupes with you! There’s something truly special about cracking the code to a popular treat and making it even better in your own kitchen.
This particular Red Velvet Cupcake Cookie recipe has been an absolute sensation, exploding across social media as one of the most viral Crumbl copycat recipes. Every time I’ve re-shared it, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with countless bakers praising its authentic taste and texture. It warms my heart to see so many of you enjoying these beautiful creations.
Driven by the desire for perfection, I recently retested and refined this recipe to ensure every single batch comes out extra soft, perfectly flavored with that signature red velvet tang, and holds its shape beautifully when piped with frosting. My goal was to truly capture the bakery version’s charm and deliciousness, and I’m confident we’ve achieved it. Prepare to become utterly obsessed with these cookies!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Red Velvet Cookie Recipe
These Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies aren’t just another dessert; they’re an experience waiting to happen. Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite in your baking repertoire:
- Authentic Crumbl Copycat Texture & Flavor: We’ve meticulously crafted this recipe to replicate the signature thick, soft, and chewy texture of Crumbl cookies, combined with the true, rich flavor of classic red velvet.
- Perfectly Balanced Indulgence: Enjoy a plush, tender red velvet cookie base that melts in your mouth, perfectly complemented by a smooth, tangy, and impossibly silky cream cheese frosting. It’s a match made in dessert heaven!
- Surprisingly Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet appearance and incredible taste, these cookies are straightforward to prepare using readily available pantry staples. No complicated techniques or obscure ingredients required.
- Entertainer’s Dream & Freezer-Friendly: Whether you’re planning a gathering, a party, or simply want to have delicious treats on hand, these cookies are perfect. They hold up beautifully, and any leftovers can be easily frozen for future cravings.
- Budget-Friendly & Superior Taste: Why pay $5 or more per cookie at the bakery when you can create a batch of 9 (or more!) at home that tastes even fresher and more delightful? This recipe offers incredible value without compromising on quality.
- Visually Stunning: With their vibrant red hue and elegant frosting swirl, these cookies are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate, making them perfect for gifting or impressing guests.
- Customizable Fun: While perfect as is, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for your creativity. Add chocolate chips, sprinkles, or experiment with different frosting flavors if you’re feeling adventurous!
Essential Ingredients for These Frosted Red Velvet Cookies
Crafting the perfect red velvet cookie with an irresistible cream cheese frosting begins with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to create this amazing Crumbl copycat recipe. For precise measurements, be sure to scroll down to the detailed recipe card.
For the Red Velvet Cookies:
- Butter: Use good quality softened butter, whether salted or unsalted. Softened butter creams easily with sugar, creating a light and airy base for your cookies. It contributes significantly to the cookie’s rich, tender texture.
- Brown and Granulated Sugar: The combination of both sugars is key. Brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and a subtle molasses flavor, while granulated sugar ensures spread and crisp edges, creating that perfect bakery-style texture.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, adds richness, and contributes to the structure and moisture of the cookies.
- Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer that complements the cocoa and adds depth to the red velvet taste. Pure vanilla extract offers the best flavor.
- White Vinegar: Don’t skip this! Vinegar reacts with baking powder (and cocoa powder in traditional red velvet) to tenderize the cookie and also helps to amplify the vibrant red color. It’s essential for that classic red velvet tang.
- Red Gel Food Coloring: For that iconic, deep red hue, gel food coloring is superior to liquid. It provides a more concentrated color without adding excess liquid to your dough, ensuring the perfect consistency.
- Cocoa Powder: Natural unsweetened cocoa powder is preferred for red velvet. It gives the cookie its characteristic subtle chocolate flavor and reacts with the vinegar to create a rich, complex taste and deepen the red color.
- All-Purpose Flour: The primary structural component of our cookies. Proper measurement (ideally by weight) is crucial to prevent dry or tough cookies.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is vital in all baking. It balances the sweetness of the sugars and enhances all the other flavors, making the cookies taste more vibrant and well-rounded.
- Cornstarch: This secret ingredient is what gives these cookies an extra tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality. It helps to keep them soft and prevents them from drying out.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and achieve their thick, soft texture. Ensure it’s fresh for optimal results.
For the Silky Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Cream Cheese: Softened full-fat cream cheese is essential for a smooth, tangy, and rich frosting. Make sure it’s at room temperature to avoid lumps.
- Butter: Softened butter provides structure and richness to the frosting, making it creamy and pipeable.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cream cheese and sugar, adding a sweet and aromatic note to the frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar dissolves easily to create a smooth, lump-free frosting with the perfect sweetness and consistency.
Crafting These Irresistible Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies
Get ready to bake a batch of these glorious frosted red velvet cookies that are sure to impress! This process is straightforward, designed to deliver bakery-quality results right from your home kitchen. Remember to refer to the full, detailed instructions and precise measurements in the recipe card below for the best outcome.
Here’s a simplified overview of the exciting steps:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Start by preheating your oven and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a non-stick surface and easy cleanup.
- Cream Together Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and beautifully creamy. This aeration is crucial for a soft cookie.
- Infuse with Flavor and Color: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, a touch of white vinegar (essential for that signature tang and color boost!), and the vibrant red gel food coloring. Mix until everything is perfectly combined and boasts a stunning red hue.
- Gently Fold in Dry Ingredients: Gradually add your measured all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough cookies. At this stage, reserve a small amount of dough—about one tablespoon—to create those authentic “cookie crumbs” for decoration later.
- Scoop, Shape, and Bake: Using a large cookie scooper, portion out 9 evenly sized cookie dough balls. Place them onto your prepared baking sheet, then gently flatten each one to about half an inch in thickness. Bake them in your preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes. The edges should look set, but the centers might still appear slightly soft – this is perfect for a chewy cookie.
- Cool for Perfection: Allow the baked cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes. This crucial step helps them set properly and prevents them from breaking when you transfer them to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Bake the Crumb Topping: Don’t forget that reserved tablespoon of cookie dough! Bake it separately for 7-8 minutes. Once cooled, crumble it finely to create the perfect decorative topping for your frosted cookies.
- Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the cookies cool, prepare your luscious cream cheese frosting. Beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until they are wonderfully smooth and fluffy. Then, gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whipping for several minutes until the frosting is light and airy. If it feels too soft, a quick chill in the fridge will firm it up.
- Frost and Finish: Once your cookies are completely cool, transfer your frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (or simply snip the corner off a Ziploc bag). Pipe a generous swirl of cream cheese frosting onto each cookie. For that authentic Crumbl look, sprinkle your homemade red velvet cookie crumbs on top.
- Serve and Savor: Easy, beautiful, and utterly show-stopping. These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store well for future indulgence.
Expert Tips for Perfect Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies
Achieving bakery-level perfection at home is easier than you think with these insider tips:
- Don’t Overbake: This is arguably the most crucial tip for soft, chewy cookies. Pull your cookies from the oven when the edges appear set and slightly golden, but the centers still look a bit soft and doughy. They will continue to set and firm up as they cool on the hot baking sheet, resulting in a perfectly tender interior. Overbaking leads to dry, crumbly cookies.
- Embrace Gel Food Coloring: For that truly vibrant, deep red color characteristic of red velvet, always opt for gel food coloring over liquid. Gel colors are highly concentrated, meaning you need less to achieve a brilliant hue without altering the cookie dough’s consistency.
- Chill Your Frosting: If your cream cheese frosting feels too soft after whipping, or if your kitchen is warm, chill it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before piping. This brief chill will firm it up beautifully, making it much easier to pipe clean, defined swirls that hold their shape like a professional baker’s.
- Authentic Bakery Crumbs: To achieve that classic Crumbl aesthetic, where little red velvet crumbs adorn the frosting, simply bake one extra cookie (or the reserved tablespoon of dough). Once fully cooled, crumble it finely with your fingers or pulse it lightly in a food processor. Sprinkle these delicious crumbs generously over your freshly frosted cookies for an irresistible finish.
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: Ensure your butter and cream cheese are truly softened to room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly, incorporating air for a lighter, fluffier texture in both the cookies and the frosting, preventing lumps.
- Measure Flour Correctly: For consistent results, weigh your flour using a kitchen scale. If you don’t have one, fluff the flour with a spoon, then gently spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge. Never scoop directly from the bag, as this compacts the flour and can result in too much dry ingredient.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
To maintain their freshness and the integrity of the cream cheese frosting, always store these Red Velvet Crumbl Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain soft and delicious for up to 4 days. However, for the absolute best flavor and texture, we recommend enjoying them within 48 hours of baking.
Absolutely! These cookies are wonderfully freezer-friendly. For best results, arrange the frosted cookies on a baking tray and flash-freeze them for about an hour, or until the frosting is solid. Once frozen, you can transfer them to an airtight container, layering them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for an hour before serving.
Yes, you certainly can! If you prefer smaller, bite-sized treats, this recipe is easily adaptable. Instead of 9 large cookies, you can make approximately 18 mini cookies. Reduce the baking time to about 7 minutes, or until the edges are just set. You can then pipe the cream cheese frosting onto them in smaller swirls, just as you would with the larger ones. They make for adorable party treats!
Dry cookies are usually a result of overbaking or incorrectly measuring flour. Ensure you pull the cookies from the oven when the edges are set but the center is still soft. Also, spoon and level your flour, or ideally, weigh it with a kitchen scale to avoid adding too much dry ingredient.
If your cream cheese frosting is too thin, it likely means your cream cheese or butter was too warm, or you added too little powdered sugar. To remedy this, place the frosting in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to firm up, then whip it again. You can also gradually add a tablespoon or two more of powdered sugar until it reaches your desired consistency.
Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies
15 minutes
10 minutes
25 minutes
9
cookies
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened, salted or unsalted
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1-2 tsp red gel food coloring
- 1/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 & 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
Cream cheese frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese softened, full-fat
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking, and set it aside.
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In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.1/2 cup butter, 2/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar
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Add the egg, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red gel food coloring to the creamed mixture. Whisk or beat until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the dough achieves a consistent, vibrant red color.1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp white vinegar, 1-2 tsp red gel food coloring
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined and the flour mixture disappears. Be careful not to overmix your dough. Once mixed, save one tablespoon of this raw cookie dough aside; you’ll bake it separately to create the decorative cookie crumbs.1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 & 3/4 cup all purpose flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1/2 tsp baking powder
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Using a large cookie scooper (about 3 tablespoons), scoop out 9 equally sized cookie dough balls. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart. Gently flatten each cookie dough ball to about 1/2 inch in thickness using the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers may still look soft. This ensures a wonderfully chewy texture. Let them cool down on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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While the main cookies are cooling, bake the reserved 1 tablespoon of cookie dough on a small piece of parchment paper for 7-8 minutes. Once cooled, crumble it finely to create the perfect red velvet cookie topping for your frosted creations.
Cream cheese frosting
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In a stand mixer bowl or a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream the softened butter and softened cream cheese together. Beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is smooth, light, and fluffy, ensuring no lumps remain.4 oz cream cheese, 3 tbsp butter
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Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, along with the vanilla extract. Whip the frosting for 3-5 minutes on medium-high speed until it is wonderfully light, airy, and fluffy. If the frosting seems a bit too soft to pipe, chill it in the fridge or freezer for 10-15 minutes, then give it another quick whip before using.1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup powdered sugar
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Once the cookies are completely cool, transfer the cream cheese frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round piping tip (such as an Ateco 809 or Wilton 1A) or use a sturdy ziplock bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe a generous swirl of frosting onto the top of each cooled cookie. Finally, sprinkle your crushed red velvet cookie crumbs over the frosting for that authentic, beautiful finish. Enjoy your homemade Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies!
Notes
Recipe Notes for Crumbl Red Velvet Cupcake Cookies
- To achieve the classic red velvet flavor profile, we highly recommend using natural unsweetened cocoa powder.
- The white vinegar plays a crucial dual role: it helps to brighten and enhance the red color of your cookies and contributes to a wonderfully softer, more tender texture. It’s truly best not to omit this ingredient.
- To prevent your cookies from becoming dry, precision in measuring ingredients is key (weighing is best!). Also, be mindful not to overbake them; remember, the cookies will continue to set and firm up significantly as they cool down.
- There’s no need to chill the cookie dough for this recipe unless you specifically desire slightly thicker cookies with less spread.
- For the best cream cheese frosting results, ensure both your cream cheese and butter are at proper room temperature. This will prevent lumps and create a truly smooth, pipeable frosting.
- When piping the frosting, if it starts to get too warm and soft, pop the piping bag into the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes. A slightly chilled frosting is much easier to work with for beautiful swirls.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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