Red Velvet Love On Valentine’s Day

Make something sweet on or after Valentines Day.

We make these cookies for our petite fours plates to serve after dinner for Valentine’s Day. We make them in small heartshapes but you can make them bigger for your loved one, even if you have more than one love.

One of our customers requested the recipe so here it is!

Greenporter Red Velvet Cookies

Ingredients

2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, I prefer Valhrona

1 stick of salted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white (granulated) sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 tablespoon natural red food coloring
3/4 cup sour cream
2 cups all purpose flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line at least two cookie sheets with parchment paper.*
2. Melt baking chocolate in the microwave for a minute and a half.  Stir until smooth and set aside to cool down a bit.
3. Combine butter, sugar, and brown sugar, baking soda and salt in the mixer**.  Beat on medium speed until smooth.
4. Add the egg, continue beating until completely smooth or the lumps will effect the dough.
5. Add red food coloring, beat until the batter looks red (about 3o seconds).
6. Scrape the bowl down, add melted chocolate and mix well.
7. Scrape the bowl down again, add half the flour (first cup). Mix in the sour cream. Then add the rest of the flour.
8. Beat it until everything is all nice and mixed up. It will be doughy and heavy
9. Roll out dough and form into heart shapes (if for Valentine’s Day)  Use holiday cookie cutters at Christmas or stars for July 4th
10. Bake at 375 degrees for 9-11 minutes, until they rise and are firm. They will not change color because of the food coloring. Be careful not to overbake–they should be very soft when you take them out.  Do not be tempted to leave them in longer or it will affect the texture and become too crisp.
11. Ice when cooled.
    
    Cream Cheese Icing
    1/4 cup butter, softened
    4 ounces cream cheese, softened for whipping or lumps will never disappear and your icing will not be attractive
    1/2 teaspoon vanilla
    2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Mix cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together. If you had to warm them up, stick the mixture in the fridge until cool. Add powdered sugar in half-cup increments. Frost the cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles or other favorites.

And pick up a bottle of Ruby Red, Cabernet Port from Pindar Vineyards at the perfect dessert wine for these cookies.  You will be forever loved.
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