How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? It is celebrated in most countries, although each has its own way of celebrating it. In some countries, it is a celebration of love between family and friends, rather than romantic love. In those countries, traditions include leaving lollipops for children and expressing appreciation for friends.
In America, you are more likely to see couples exchanging cards and gifts. Flowers are sent, dinner reservations are made and couples want to spend special time together. My husband usually sends me flowers and plans a date at our favorite restaurant in the city. Some people like to prepare a special home-cooked meal. Others like to go away and spend time in a beautiful location. There are some people who choose to do nothing at all. Whatever your tradition, I am sending love your way for Valentine’s Day and I hope it is very special. Thank you for following me and for all your wonderful comments. I look so forward to seeing them and corresponding with all of you.
Now, this is a recipe that is perfect to make for Valentine’s Day. I chose to make half cookies and half cupcakes, because I had these perfect heart-shaped molds. These lovely red velvet cookies are the perfect treat. They are like eating a delectable red velvet cake with your hands. The cream cheese filling is the perfect complement to these special Valentine’s Day treats or any day treat!
This recipe is adapted from Allrecipes and will make 30 cookies that will surely make someone fall even more deeply in love with you!
Ingredients for Red Velvet Cookies:
For the cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate, broken into pieces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/3 cup white sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon red food coloring
3/4 cup sour cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Preheat oven to 375°F with the rack in the middle position.
Grease baking sheets or line with parchment paper.
Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Break the chocolate squares into chunks, place them in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on High until the chocolate melts, about 90 seconds.
Stir in the chocolate until smooth and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy; pour in the egg and beat until smooth.
Mix the red food coloring and chocolate, scraping the bowl down regularly, until evenly blended, about 30 seconds.
Add half of the sifted dry ingredients, stirring until well incorporated.
Beat in the sour cream and mix in the remaining dry ingredients.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Drop spoonfuls of the dough 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets.
Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven until they spring back when pressed, about 9 minutes.
Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
To make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
Whip 1/4 cup butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth.
Blend in the powdered sugar in half cup portions until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
It’s that simple.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
