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My So Called Red Velvet Cookie Recipe

Red Velvet Cookies.
My So Called Red Velvet Cookies.

I have never quite understood the fascination with Red Velvet, it's just chocolate cake with red food coloring, folks.  However if we are talking strictly aesthetics, I completely agree. Red wins over brown any day. Why bake a boring brown chocolate cake when a ruby toned pièce de résistance takes no more work than adding a couple dozen drops of Red No. 40?  Well maybe that's precisely why, food coloring is not exactly good for us. So, I decided to test the color power of artificial coloring vs. a natural coloring made from beets and carrots.

Going in, I was hopeful that the natural dye would come out bright and beautiful. I was reminded of the time I dyed my hair red in junior high to mimic Angela Chase's vibrant hair color in My So Called Life. My hair just came out looking like a brassy version of Carrot Top's orange afro and nothing like the color that caught Jordan Catalano's steamy nonchalant gaze. Which didn't really matter because there was not a single guy at my school that compared to the quiet alternative bad boy that 90s dreams were made of.  Anyhow, in the case of the cookies, the natural dye was a win (unlike the horrifying shade or brass I rocked in 8th grade).  The 14 year old girl in me hopes that Jordan would have been inspired to write an alt 90s rock song about these cookies but I am sure he would be way too cool for that.

8th Grade Dance Emabrrassment
See what I mean about the wannabe red color, ouch. We won't even touch on the dress, the oversized hair bow and the hideous corsages. I should add that the rouge color on my cheeks is not a weird reflection from the hair color or an overzealous application of blush but, in fact, the constant state my face was in due to an extreme case of shyness during my junior high years. I have blocked out the eyes of my dance date in an effort to protect the innocent from further humiliation. 1995 really was not a good year for any of us. 

Once the cookies baked up they were almost indistinguishable. Now that I have used the natural red color, I doubt I'll ever go back. I should have known that a natural red (Clare Danes) is always better than brown posing as red (me, in 8th grade).

Red food coloring
Food Coloring comparison. Artificial food coloring on left, natural berry red food coloring on the right.
RedVelvetCookieBatterPink
The dough will look pretty pink at first, keep adding dye until you get the depth of color you are hoping for. Once you add the dry ingredients the brown from the cocoa will mix with the pink dough and start to turn a deeper red.
Natural food coloring, red velvet cookies.
Adding a squeeze of the natural food coloring to the mix.
Things are coming up rosey.
Things are coming up rosy.
RedVelvetCookiesAddNibs
Once you've achieved the desired red, add the chocolate chips and cocoa nibs.
Red Velvet Cookie Dough Balls
Roll the dough into little red balls.
Red Velvet Cookies Aerial CU
The artificially colored and naturally colored cookies are mixed together. Can you spot the natural reds?
Red Velvet Cookies Aerial
Red velvet cookies with artificial and natural dye. Both look pretty but who wouldn't prefer a natural red?
Red Velvet Cookies Square
Red hot and ready to go.
Red Velvet Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
They also taste pretty good when you smoosh some ice cream between 2 cookies.

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Recipe

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My So Called Red Velvet Cookies

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Description

My So Called Recipe for Red Velvet Cookies with chocolate chips and cocoa nibs. Color inspired by a 90s fave, Angela Chase of My So Called Life.

Ingredients

Units
  • unsalted butter at room temperature - 1 cup
  • granulated sugar - 1 cup
  • brown sugar - 1 cup
  • eggs at room temperature - 2
  • pure vanilla extract - 2 teaspoons
  • all-purpose flour - 3 cups
  • baking soda - 1 teaspoon
  • salt - ½ teaspoon
  • cocao powder - ⅔ cup
  • red food coloring (preferably natural - 1 - 2 teaspoons (depening on food coloring))
  • dark chocolate chips - ½ cup
  • cocao nibs - ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Mix together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
  3. Cream butter and sugars together in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. About 5 minutes.
  4. Slowly add one egg at a time. Followed by vanilla. Combine until smooth.
  5. Slowly add drops of red food coloring until desired color is reached. Keep in mind that the dough will look pretty pink at this point, once you add the cocoa the brown and pink will mix to create a richer red tone.
  6. Stir in cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt until just combined, scraping down the sides when needed. Fold in chocolate chips and cocoa nibs.
  7. Using an ice cream or cookie scoop to form 1"- 2" tablespoon balls of dough and arrange evenly on baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  9. Might I suggest enjoying these cookies while watching a Netflix marathon of the 90s teen drama, My So Called Life.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes

 

 

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