Red Velvet Snowball Cookies with White Chocolate Filling Recipe
Delight in these irresistible Red Velvet Snowball Cookies filled with creamy white chocolate, perfect for festive gatherings and holiday celebrations. These soft, chewy cookies feature a rich cocoa-infused dough, vibrant red color, and a luscious white chocolate center, all wrapped in a snowy coating of powdered sugar and shredded coconut.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour – Provides structure; can use gluten-free flour for gluten-free version.
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder – Adds rich chocolate flavor; ensure it’s unsweetened.
- 1 tsp baking powder – Leavening agent for perfect rise.
- ¼ tsp salt – Enhances flavor balance.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened – Adds richness and moisture; coconut oil works for dairy-free option.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar – Sweetens cookies and aids texture.
- 1 large egg – Binds ingredients; use flax egg for vegan alternative.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – Adds warm flavor notes.
- 1 tbsp red food coloring (gel or liquid) – For the signature red color; gel recommended for bolder look.
- ¼ cup buttermilk – Moistens and tenderizes; substitute with dairy-free milk plus vinegar for non-dairy version.
For the Filling
- ½ cup white chocolate chips – Creamy surprise; use quality chocolate for best melting.
For Coating
- ½ cup shredded coconut – Creates snowy appearance; optional.
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to combine the dry ingredients uniformly. In a separate large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and buttermilk, mixing well until fully incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until moist and combined without overmixing.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a clean towel and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step firms the dough, making it easier to handle and helping the cookies retain their shape during baking.
- Shape Cookies: Remove the chilled dough and roll it into 1-inch diameter balls using your hands. Press your thumb gently into the center of each ball to create an indentation for the filling without breaking the dough through.
- Add Filling: Place one white chocolate chip inside the indentation of each dough ball. Carefully pinch the dough around the chip to enclose it entirely, sealing the filling inside to prevent leakage while baking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the prepared cookie balls spaced evenly apart on the sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies appear set and are firm on the edges but still soft when lightly pressed.
- Cool and Coat: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes. While still slightly warm, roll each cookie first in powdered sugar to create a snowball effect, then coat with shredded coconut for a festive snowy finish. Optionally, drizzle with melted white chocolate for an elegant touch.
Notes
- Chill dough to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant red hue without altering dough consistency.
- Coat cookies generously in powdered sugar and shredded coconut immediately after baking.
- Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze shaped dough balls for up to 3 months before baking; freeze baked cookies for up to 1 month.
- Try alternative fillings such as caramel or dark chocolate for variation.
- For gluten-free options, substitute with gluten-free baking mix.
- For dairy-free options, replace butter with coconut oil and buttermilk with dairy-free milk plus vinegar.
- Vegan option: use flax egg and dairy-free chocolate chips.
Keywords: red velvet cookies, snowball cookies, white chocolate filling, festive cookies, holiday cookies, red velvet recipe
