Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies To celebrate Christmas

Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies are my go-to when the holidays get busy and I still want something festive, soft, and totally irresistible. You know those moments where you need a cookie that looks like a million bucks without taking all day? That’s this recipe. They’re red, plush, and crowned with a little chocolate kiss. The edges are lightly crisp, the centers are tender, and they feel like a hug on a plate. If you’re making cookie trays or planning a Valentine treat, these are honestly perfect.

What Makes Red Velvet Blossoms So Special for Holidays and Valentine’s Day

It’s that gorgeous ruby red color paired with a creamy chocolate center. The contrast makes them pop on a cookie plate and the texture keeps everyone reaching for another. They’re simple to bake, yet they look like you put in extra effort. The flavor is classic red velvet with a hint of cocoa and a soft, cake-like crumb. They also hold their shape beautifully, which gives you that signature blossom look with a neat kiss on top.

And here’s my favorite part. You can bake a batch in under an hour and they still taste bakery level. If you’re doing holiday trays, these balance out buttery cookies and sugar cookies with a little chocolate flair.

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Ingredients You’ll Need for Red Velvet Blossom Cookies

Pantry staples plus festive extras

• All-purpose flour: spooned and leveled for accuracy
• Cocoa powder: natural unsweetened for classic red velvet flavor
• Baking soda and salt
• Unsalted butter: room temperature for easy creaming
• Granulated sugar and brown sugar: a mix for flavor and softness
• Large egg: room temperature blends better
• Vanilla extract
• Buttermilk: adds tang and tenderness
• Red gel food coloring: for bold color with little liquid
• Hershey’s Kisses: unwrapped and chilled
• Optional: sanding sugar for rolling, or powdered sugar for a snow-kissed look

Simple ingredients, big payoff. If you don’t have buttermilk, use milk with a splash of vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes. It works in a pinch.

The Best Type of Hershey’s Kisses for This Recipe

I’ve tested a few. The classic milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses melt just enough to become soft without losing shape. If you want a twist, try Hugs for a white-and-chocolate swirl, or dark chocolate for a richer bite. Candy cane Kisses are fun for Christmas, but they melt quicker, so chill them well before topping. The key is to press the Kiss in as soon as the cookie comes out, then let the tray sit to cool so the chocolate softens and re-sets gently.

Recommended Food Coloring Brands for Vibrant Red Color

Go with gel or paste food coloring. I’ve had great results with AmeriColor Super Red and Wilton Red No-Taste. They give a bold color without flooding your batter. If you only have liquid food dye, start small and add gradually to avoid thinning the dough. A tiny bit of cocoa can mute overly bright red to that perfect red velvet shade.

How to Make Red Velvet Blossom Cookies Step-by-Step

Step-by-step at a glance

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment. Unwrap the Hershey’s Kisses and chill them in the fridge.

2. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, beat butter with both sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

4. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until smooth. Stir in the buttermilk and gel food coloring. The batter should look bright red and creamy.

5. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low just until combined. The dough should be soft but scoopable. If it feels too sticky, chill for 15 minutes.

6. Scoop 1 tablespoon portions and roll into balls. If you want sparkle, roll in sanding sugar.

7. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until the edges look set but the centers are still soft and puffy.

8. Immediately press a chilled Kiss into the center of each cookie. Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 to 7 minutes before moving to a rack. The residual heat will soften the chocolate just enough to stick, then it will firm up again as it cools.

That’s it. Easy rhythm, minimal mess, and the result looks like you baked for hours.

Pro Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Blossoms Every Time

Small tweaks that make a big difference

• Chill the Kisses. Cold chocolate holds shape and sets better on warm cookies.
• Don’t overmix. Mix dry ingredients just until combined for a tender crumb.
• Watch the bake time. Pull cookies when edges are set but centers look soft. They’ll finish on the sheet.
• Use parchment. Greased pans can make cookies spread more.
• Measure flour correctly. Too much flour leads to dry cookies. Spoon and level.
• Test one cookie. Bake a single cookie to check spread. If it spreads, chill dough 15 minutes.

How to Keep Cookies Soft and Chewy

Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread or a damp piece of paper towel sealed inside a small plastic bag. The moisture keeps cookies soft without making them soggy. Also, don’t overbake. When they look slightly underdone, they’re probably perfect. A little brown around the edges is okay, but aim for that red, puffy look in the center.

Best Way to Add the Hershey’s Kiss Without Melting

Press the Kiss straight down into the hot cookie as soon as it comes out of the oven. Don’t twist, just a firm press. Let the pan sit on the counter 5 minutes, then move cookies to a cool rack. If your kitchen is warm, place the rack in a cooler room or near a window. You can even pop the tray into the fridge for a minute if needed, but not longer or the cookie can firm up too fast.

Flavor and Color Variations You’ll Love

Try peppermint extract in place of vanilla for a holiday vibe, or almond extract for a bakery-style twist. Swap Kisses for mini peanut butter cups or dark chocolate squares if you like a different flavor. For color, a dot of black gel deepens the red for a dramatic look. If you love a maple note, these white chocolate maple cookies are a sweet pairing on a mixed tray.

How to Serve Red Velvet Blossoms

Arrange them in a circle on a white platter with crushed peppermint or sprinkles scattered around. They also look adorable in mini paper cups for gifting. Add shapes and colors to your tray with cheerful cookies like these sparkling stained glass cookies. Serve your blossoms with hot cocoa or a creamy latte, and you’ll have a cozy little moment ready in minutes.

Perfect for Christmas Cookie Trays and Holiday Parties

Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies bring color and chocolate to a spread, which makes them crowd-pleasers. Pair them with classics like Christmas sugar cookies for decorating fun and buttery favorites like German butter cookies for melt-in-your-mouth bites. The mix of textures keeps your tray interesting. If you want a coordinated look, use red and white sprinkles to tie everything together.

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas Using Red Velvet Blossoms

Pack a dozen in a simple bakery box with red tissue and a handwritten note. Tie a ribbon and add a little tag with reheating tips if you include hot cocoa packets. You can also stack them in a mason jar and layer with mini marshmallows or heart sprinkles. Simple, cute, and guaranteed to make someone smile.

How to Store and Freeze Red Velvet Blossom Cookies

Freezer method that keeps shape

Store cookies at room temperature in a tightly sealed container up to 4 days. For freezing, place cooled cookies on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then move to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp. If you want to freeze the dough, scoop into balls, freeze, and bake from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes to the bake time. Press in the Kisses right after baking as usual.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Quick fixes

If your cookies seem dry, you likely added too much flour. Measure carefully and consider a tiny splash more buttermilk. If the chocolate goes melty and messy, your Kisses weren’t cold or your kitchen is warm. Chill them more and let the pan rest longer before moving cookies. If the color looks too brown, add a little more gel coloring next time and reduce the cocoa by a teaspoon.

Why Your Cookies Spread Too Much

It usually comes down to warm dough, too little flour, or a greased baking sheet. Chill the dough 15 to 30 minutes, make sure your oven is fully preheated, and use parchment paper. Also check butter temperature. If it’s overly soft or melty, the dough will flatten. Scoop, chill, and try again. You’ll get that classic blossom dome.

How to Fix Dull Red Color or Cracked Tops

Dull red often means not enough gel coloring or too much cocoa powder. Adjust by using high-quality gel color and measuring cocoa carefully. For cracked tops, bake at a slightly lower temperature or pull them a minute earlier. Cracks also form if the dough is dry, so keep your measurements precise and avoid overbaking.

Nutrition Facts

These are estimates per cookie, depending on size and brand of ingredients. About 120 to 130 calories, 6g fat, 18g carbs, 10g sugar, 2g protein. There’s a little calcium from the buttermilk and a tiny bit of iron from the cocoa. If you need to lighten them up, use a smaller scoop and skip rolling in sugar.

Nutrition Facts

Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies
Serving Size: 1 cookie (≈22 g)

Approx. per serving*

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Calories	130
Total Fat	6 g	8%
Saturated Fat	3.5 g	18%
Trans Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	15 mg	5%
Sodium	75 mg	3%
Total Carbohydrates	18 g	7%
Dietary Fiber	0.5 g	2%
Total Sugars	10 g
Protein	2 g	4%
Calcium	20 mg	2%
Iron	0.6 mg	4%
Potassium	55 mg	2%

*Estimated values based on a typical homemade red velvet blossom cookie with Hershey’s Kiss. Calculations informed by ingredient data from USDA FoodData Central and Hershey’s Kisses SmartLabel. Actual nutrition may vary by brand and cookie size.

More Christmas Appetizers to Try Next

If you want something cozy alongside your cookie spread, a warm bowl of 4 ingredient potato soup is a simple hit. It comes together fast and pairs nicely with a plate of cookies and cocoa. Keep the vibe easy and cheerful so you can enjoy the party instead of fussing in the kitchen.

Common Questions

A Sweet Little Sendoff

There’s a reason I make Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies every December. They’re reliable, pretty, and they make people happy. You don’t need fancy tools or a ton of time, and the results feel special. If you want to see another take or more ideas, visit this board for more inspiration. Bake a batch, share them with people you love, and enjoy that soft, chocolatey bite while the lights twinkle.