Heart Shaped Red Velvet Cookies are a festive, delicious twist on classic red velvet baking. These cookies combine the rich flavor of red velvet with the sweet crunch of white chocolate chips and the nutty texture of macadamia nuts. Their vibrant red color and charming heart shape make them perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any moment you want to show someone you care with something homemade and special.
Red velvet itself is a unique flavor — somewhere between vanilla and mild chocolate — that becomes even more delightful when transformed into a soft, chewy cookie. Making them in heart shapes turns a simple dessert into an eye-catching gift or centerpiece for parties and celebrations.
📝 Ingredients (Makes about 12 Cookies)
- 1 ¾ cups (235 g) all-purpose flour — the foundation of the cookie dough.
- 2 tablespoons (15 g) cocoa powder — adds depth to flavor and boosts the red appearance.
- ¼ teaspoon (1.4 g) salt — enhances sweetness and balances flavor.
- ½ teaspoon (5.25 g) baking powder — helps the cookies rise and stay soft.
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted — adds richness and chewiness.
- 1/3 cup (75 g) brown sugar — makes the cookies soft and chewy.
- 1/3 cup (75 g) white granulated sugar — helps the cookies keep their shape and crisp edges.
- 2 large eggs (100 g) — for structure and moisture.
- 2 teaspoons (13 g) red gel food colouring — gives the signature red colour.
- 1 teaspoon (4 g) vanilla extract — adds warm, sweet aroma.
- ½ cup (100 g) white chocolate chips — sweet contrast against red dough.
- ½ cup (59 g) chopped macadamia nuts — optional but delicious for crunch.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Dry Ingredients
Measure out the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Whisk them together until evenly blended. This ensures even texture and distribution of ingredients in every cookie.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a larger bowl, combine the melted butter with both brown sugar and white sugar. Stir until well incorporated. Crack in the eggs and mix again, then add the vanilla extract and red gel food colouring. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and evenly coloured.
3. Combine Dry & Wet Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in two additions. Use a spatula to fold the dough until it looks uniform. Then fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped macadamia nuts so they’re evenly distributed.
4. Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough keep its shape when baking, especially since these cookies are shaped rather than scooped.
5. Shape the Cookies
Preheat your oven to about 350 °F (177 °C). Line a baking sheet with a non-stick surface or parchment paper. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter and gently press small dough balls into the cutter to fill the shape. Then lift the cutter and repeat with the rest of the dough.
6. Bake
Place the tray in the oven and bake for around 9 minutes. If you prefer softer cookies, bake for about 8 minutes; if you like them a little firmer, leave them in for up to 12 minutes.
7. Final Touch
Once they’re out of the oven, press a few extra white chocolate chips on top while the cookies are still warm. This gives them a pretty finish and extra pockets of sweetness. Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.
🍫 Tips for Best Results
- Use gel food colouring rather than liquid. Gel yields a more intense red without changing the dough’s consistency.
- Chill the dough thoroughly. Cold dough spreads less, keeping your heart shapes crisp and defined.
- Swap nuts if needed. If you don’t have macadamia nuts, walnuts or pecans work well too.
🎁 Why These Cookies Stand Out
Heart Shaped Red Velvet Cookies aren’t just delicious — they’re memorable. Their bright colour and soft texture set them apart from ordinary cookies, and making them in heart shapes adds a personal, thoughtful touch. Whether you’re baking with kids or creating gifts for friends, they’re a fun and festive dessert that shows you care.
Red velvet treats are often associated with celebration and affection, and transforming that flavour into a cookie makes it easier to share with people you love. Adding white chocolate and nuts brings contrast in both texture and flavor that many cookie lovers appreciate.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies with a cold glass of milk, warm tea, or coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up. They also pair beautifully with cream cheese frosting or a dusting of powdered sugar for parties and special occasions. With their cheerful appearance, they make an excellent addition to dessert tables, gift boxes, or holiday cookie exchanges