Name: Red Velvet Cookie Cups With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box red velvet cake mix; 2 large eggs; 0.5 cup (118 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted; 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened; 0.5 cup (118 milliliters) unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Red sprinkles; White sprinkles; Mini heart-shaped candies (optional)

Sweet and decadent red velvet cookie cups with cream cheese frosting bring a delightful twist to classic dessert favorites.

These irresistible treats blend rich chocolate undertones with velvety smooth textures.

Soft, chewy cookie bases create perfect little vessels for creamy frosting.

Each bite delivers a luxurious combination of flavors that dance across your palate.

Crumbly yet moist cookies provide a stunning canvas for the tangy cream cheese topping.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this crowd-pleasing dessert with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Prepare to impress your guests with these elegant and delectable miniature delights.

Simplify Breakfast Magic: Transform ordinary morning meals into a delightful experience with minimal kitchen skills needed.
Create Family Crowd-Pleaser: Pack irresistible flavors that will make everyone from kids to grandparents smile and ask for seconds.
Quick Convenience Cooking: Prepare a stunning pastry using store-bought crescent rolls, cutting down complicated steps and saving precious morning time.
Versatile Serving Option: Perfect for casual weekend breakfasts, potluck gatherings, or surprise brunch with friends, making it an adaptable sweet treat.

Cookie Base Ingredients:

Red Velvet Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides the classic red color and flavor for the cookie cups.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cookie dough.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender texture in the cookie cups.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookie base.

Frosting Ingredients:

Cream Cheese: Creates a smooth, tangy base for the creamy frosting.
Butter: Adds richness and helps achieve a light, fluffy texture.
Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the frosting.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and enhances the frosting's flavor.

Decoration Ingredients:

Red Sprinkles, White Sprinkles, Mini Heart-Shaped Candies: Add a festive and colorful finishing touch to the cookie cups.

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350F (175C) and give your mini muffin tin a quick spray of non-stick magic.

Step 2: Mix the Magical Dough

Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in:

Red velvet cake mix
Eggs
Melted butter
Vanilla extract

Stir everything until a soft, dreamy dough comes together.

Step 3: Fill the Muffin Tin

Scoop about a tablespoon of dough into each muffin cup. Gently press down to create a smooth, flat surface.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the tin into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges look just right.

Step 5: Shape the Cookie Cups

Right after pulling the tin out, grab a teaspoon or tart tamper.

Carefully press the center of each cookie to create adorable cup shapes.

Step 6: Cool Down

Let the cookie cups chill in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Whip Up the Creamy Frosting

In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese and butter until silky smooth.

Step 8: Finish the Frosting

Slowly add in:

Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract

Mix until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Step 9: Pipe the Frosting

Fill a piping bag with your creamy frosting. If you don’t have one, a zip-top bag with a snipped corner works perfectly.

Step 10: Decorate and Serve

Swirl the frosting into each cooled cookie cup. Sprinkle with festive red and white decorations or cute heart-shaped candies.

Generously spray the mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy cookie cup removal.
Press the center of hot cookies immediately after baking using a teaspoon to form perfect cup shapes while the dough is still soft.
Use a star-tipped piping bag for beautiful, professional-looking frosting swirls that add elegant texture to your cookie cups.
Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for lump-free, silky cream cheese frosting that spreads easily.
Decorate with seasonal sprinkles or mini candies to match holidays or special occasions, adding color and whimsy to your dessert.

Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cookie Cups: Replace the red velvet cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix and use almond flour for added texture.
Vegan Chocolate Cookie Cups: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use vegan butter, and substitute cream cheese frosting with coconut whipped cream.
Low-Sugar Berry Bliss Cups: Use a sugar-free cake mix, replace powdered sugar with stevia, and top with fresh berries instead of sprinkles.
Chocolate Lover's Edition: Swap red velvet mix for chocolate cake mix, add cocoa powder to the frosting, and garnish with chocolate shavings.

Pair with Sparkling Rosé: The light, bubbly nature of rosé complements the sweet and rich red velvet cookie cups, creating a delightful balance of flavors that dance on your palate.
Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream provides a cool, smooth contrast to the warm, rich cookie cups, enhancing the overall dessert experience.
Match with Raspberry Champagne Cocktail: The fruity and slightly tart notes of a raspberry champagne cocktail cut through the sweetness of the cream cheese frosting, offering a refreshing counterpoint.
Enjoy with Earl Grey Tea: The subtle bergamot flavor of Earl Grey tea provides a sophisticated and light accompaniment that doesn't overpower the delicate red velvet cookie cups.

Store cookie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep frosted and unfrosted cups separate to prevent sogginess.
Place unfrosted cookie cups in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
Warm refrigerated cookie cups in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes. Avoid overheating to maintain texture.
Let frosted cookie cups sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving for optimal taste and soft texture.

FAQs

What ingredients do I need for the red velvet cookie cups?

You’ll need a red velvet cake mix, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and optional sprinkles or heart-shaped candies.

Can I use a regular muffin tin if I don't have a mini muffin tin?

Yes, but you’ll need to adjust baking time and may get fewer cookie cups. A standard muffin tin will create larger cups that might require slightly longer baking.

How do I ensure my cookie cups have the perfect shape?

Use the back of a teaspoon or a tart tamper to press down the center of each cookie immediately after baking, while they’re still hot and soft. This creates the cup shape before they cool and harden.

Maya Thompson

Culinary Content Creator & Nutrition Enthusiast

Expertise

Healthy single-serving recipes, Meal prepping for individuals, Integrating nutrition into everyday cooking, Vegetarian and plant-based cuisine

Education

The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Nutrition, meal planning, and culinary techniques for healthy living.

Maya found her passion in the kitchen by mixing good food with good energy. After earning her culinary degree at The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College, she made it her mission to keep cooking simple, wholesome, and packed with flavor.
At Steelhead Diner, Maya shares easy, healthy recipes built for real life. For Maya, great food seems like a celebration of everyday moments, made better one fresh bite at a time.