Valentine’s red velvet whoopie pies are a delightful combination of soft, cake-like red velvet cookies and a luscious cream cheese filling. These heart-shaped or round treats are perfect for celebrating love and making any occasion extra sweet.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and fluffy: Cake-like cookies with the perfect amount of chew.
- Rich and creamy filling: Classic cream cheese frosting complements the red velvet flavor.
- Festive and fun: Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any romantic celebration.
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps for a bakery-style dessert.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Red Velvet Cookies:
- All-purpose flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Buttermilk
- Vanilla extract
- Red food coloring
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- Cream cheese, softened
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
Directions
Make the Red Velvet Cookies:
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugars:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients:
- Beat in the egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Shape the cookies:
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. For a Valentine’s twist, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to shape the dough.
- Bake:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- Prepare the filling:
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fluffy.
Assemble the Whoopie Pies:
- Fill the cookies:
- Spread or pipe a generous layer of cream cheese filling onto the flat side of one cookie. Top with another cookie to create a sandwich.
- Decorate (optional):
- Roll the edges of the filling in sprinkles or drizzle melted white chocolate over the assembled whoopie pies.
Serve:
- Arrange on a platter and enjoy, or package individually for a festive Valentine’s Day gift.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes about 12-15 whoopie pies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate lovers: Add mini chocolate chips to the cookie dough for extra richness.
- Heart-shaped cookies: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make perfectly festive whoopie pies.
- Colorful twist: Use pink or white cream cheese frosting for a Valentine’s color palette.
- Nutty addition: Mix finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling for added texture.
Storage
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.
- Refrigeration: Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them sit at room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: Freeze unassembled cookies and filling separately for up to 2 months. Thaw before assembling.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought red velvet cake mix?
Yes, for a quicker version, use cake mix to make the cookies, following package instructions.
2. What if I don’t have buttermilk?
Substitute with ½ cup of milk mixed with 1 teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
3. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking to help the cookies maintain their shape.
4. Can I make mini whoopie pies?
Yes, use a smaller scoop of dough and reduce the baking time by 1-2 minutes.
5. Can I use a different filling?
Yes, marshmallow fluff, buttercream, or ganache make great alternatives to cream cheese filling.
6. How do I make the red color more vibrant?
Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for a more intense red hue.
7. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, bake the cookies up to 2 days in advance and assemble them on the day of serving.
8. Can I add sprinkles to the dough?
Yes, fold sprinkles into the cookie dough for a fun and festive look.
9. What’s the best way to pipe the filling neatly?
Use a piping bag fitted with a round or star tip for a clean, decorative finish.
10. How do I make gluten-free whoopie pies?
Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour.
Conclusion
Valentine’s red velvet whoopie pies are the perfect sweet treat for a romantic celebration or any special occasion. With their soft, cake-like cookies and creamy filling, they’re sure to impress. Customize them with festive decorations and enjoy these delightful handheld desserts with your loved ones!
Print
Valentine’s Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 whoopie pies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Valentine’s Red Velvet Whoopie Pies are soft, pillowy red velvet cookies sandwiched with a rich and creamy cream cheese filling. Perfectly festive and decadent, they’re an irresistible treat for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Red Velvet Cookies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Optional Decorations:
- Valentine’s sprinkles
- Mini heart-shaped candies
Instructions
- Prepare the Red Velvet Cookie Batter:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring, mixing until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Scoop and Bake:
- Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to drop 1 1/2-tablespoon mounds of batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cookies are set and spring back when lightly touched. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Assemble the Whoopie Pies:
- Spread or pipe a generous layer of cream cheese filling onto the flat side of half the cookies.
- Top with the remaining cookies to form sandwiches. Press gently to secure.
- Decorate and Serve:
- Roll the edges of the cream cheese filling in sprinkles or press heart-shaped candies onto the filling for a festive touch.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- For even-sized cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough.
- Store whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a firmer filling, chill the cream cheese mixture for 10–15 minutes before assembling.