Name: Red Velvet Rose Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2/3 cup shortening; 1 3/4 cups white sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup buttermilk (plus up to 1/4 cup more if needed); 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Approximately 1 tablespoon marshmallow buttercream per sandwich

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 3 reviews

I absolutely love sharing this Red Velvet Rose Cookies Recipe with anyone who enjoys a little extra charm on their cookie plate. These cookies are delicate, visually stunning little swirls of red velvet goodness that taste just as delightful as they look. The rich cocoa paired with the slight tang of buttermilk and the sweet hint of vanilla makes every bite feel like a mini celebration. Honestly, piping them into perfect little roses is half the fun for me—I can’t help but smile every time I pull a fresh batch out of the oven!

Why You’ll Love This Red Velvet Rose Cookies Recipe

One reason I’m so excited about this Red Velvet Rose Cookies Recipe is the flavor. The combination of cocoa and red velvet creates a deep, indulgent taste with just the right balance of sweetness and a subtle tang from the buttermilk. When paired with the soft texture that almost melts in your mouth, these cookies immediately remind me of special occasions, yet they’re easy enough to enjoy any day of the week. The red gel food coloring gives them their signature vibrant hue, which feels festive and fun every time I serve them.

Aside from the flavor, what really excites me about this recipe is how uncomplicated it is to prepare. I love that it doesn’t require fancy or hard-to-find ingredients. The dough is straightforward to mix, and the piping technique, while it sounds fancy, is something I picked up quickly and it really elevates the cookie’s presentation. These rose-shaped cookies are absolutely perfect for holidays, bridal showers, or just bringing a little extra sparkle to family gatherings. What stands out the most for me is how impressive they look with such little effort once you get the hang of the piping!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a white marbled surface with several bowls and ingredients neatly arranged. There is a black bowl filled with white flour at the top left, next to a smaller clear glass bowl holding cocoa powder on the right. Below these, a small white bowl is filled with dark vanilla extract. Two white eggs sit side by side near the center of the image. Below the eggs, a small clear glass bowl contains brown sugar, and next to it is a black bowl with white powdered sugar. At the bottom center, a clear glass bowl holds a large chunk of yellow butter. Scattered around the ingredients are red rose petals, small red flowers, and tiny white chocolate chips in a small white bowl on the right side of the frame. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

What I appreciate most about this recipe is the simplicity and how every ingredient plays a key role in bringing out the flavor, texture, and iconic red velvet color of these rose-shaped cookies. Each one is essential, from the shortening that keeps the texture tender, to the unsweetened cocoa powder that adds that rich chocolate note.

Shortening: Helps create a soft, tender cookie with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
White sugar: Sweetens the dough and contributes to a light crisp on the edges.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture for a perfect cookie consistency.
Vanilla extract: Wraps the flavors in a warm, inviting aroma and taste.
Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and keeps the dough moist, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
Red gel food coloring: Gives the cookies their vibrant, festive red color without altering the texture.
All-purpose flour: Forms the base for the cookie structure and firmness.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Brings that classic deep chocolate flavor to the red velvet base.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This sets the perfect temperature so your cookies bake evenly and stay soft inside.

Step 2: In a stand mixer, cream together the shortening and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important because it creates the right texture for the cookies.

Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time on medium-low speed, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps create a smooth, cohesive dough.

Step 4: Turn your mixer to low, then add vanilla extract, buttermilk, and red gel food coloring. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt so they’re well combined and ready to go.

Step 5: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture with the mixer still on low. This prevents flour clouds and ensures an even mix.

Step 6: Check your dough’s consistency. If it feels a bit dry, you can add a touch more buttermilk—up to 1/4 cup, but no more! You want the dough soft enough to pipe but not too wet.

Step 7: Fit a piping bag with a 1M or 2D tip and carefully place small amounts of dough inside. Pipe tiny rosettes directly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. This is where the magic of the rose shape happens!

Step 8: Bake for 6-8 minutes. The cookies may look slightly wet when done, but don’t worry—that’s exactly how they should be. Allow them to cool completely to room temperature before handling.

Step 9: To make cookie sandwiches, spread approximately 1 tablespoon of marshmallow buttercream on the bottom of one cookie, then gently press another cookie on top. This adds a creamy, luscious contrast to the tender petals of your red velvet roses.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields about 8 servings—perfect for sharing with close friends or family. Prep time is roughly 10 minutes, and baking takes just about 6 to 8 minutes per batch, with an additional 10-15 minutes to cool properly. Altogether, you can have these stunning cookies ready in under 30 minutes. Just remember, the resting and cooling time is important so the cookies hold their shape and flavor beautifully before serving.

How to Serve This Red Velvet Rose Cookies Recipe

The image shows several red velvet whoopie pies resting on a white marbled surface, each with two thick, soft, and slightly rough-textured deep red cake layers sandwiching a smooth, white cream layer in the middle. The center whoopie pie is broken in half, revealing the thick white cream clearly inside, while the others are whole with swirled tops. The red layers have a rich, velvety color and appear moist and dense, with some crumb texture visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

When I serve these Red Velvet Rose Cookies, I like to keep things simple but elegant. They pair beautifully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a creamy chai latte, which complement the cocoa and buttermilk flavors without overpowering the sweet notes. During special occasions, I sometimes arrange them on a pretty cake stand and garnish with a sprinkle of edible glitter or a dusting of powdered sugar to enhance their rose-like appearance.

For a festive touch, I enjoy pairing these cookies with light, fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries. Not only do the colors pop together, but the slight tartness of the berries contrasts deliciously with the sweet, chocolatey flavor of the cookies. Chilled iced tea or a glass of sparkling rosé also work beautifully as beverage options, especially at afternoon gatherings or bridal showers.

Serving these at room temperature is ideal because the texture remains perfectly tender and the marshmallow buttercream filling slightly softens, making each bite a delightful, melt-in-your-mouth experience. I usually suggest two cookies per person when serving as a dessert or snack, but they’re addictive enough that guests might want to take more!

Variations

I love experimenting with this recipe, and there are so many great ways to make it your own. For example, if you want to lighten things up a bit, swapping the shortening for butter adds a wonderfully rich flavor and slightly different texture that’s worth trying. I’ve also experimented with using coconut oil for a subtle coconut hint and a dairy-free option.

If you’re after a gluten-free version, I’ve had success replacing the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Just be sure to check the blend contains xanthan gum or another binder to keep the cookies from crumbling. For those who prefer a vegan adaptation, replacing eggs with flax eggs and using vegan shortening or coconut oil works well, though the texture may be a touch different but still delicious.

Flavor-wise, you can play around with the cocoa powder. Using Dutch-processed cocoa gives the cookies a deeper chocolate taste and different color tone. Also, you can experiment with different fillings—cream cheese frosting or raspberry jam make excellent alternatives to marshmallow buttercream. I’ve even tried piping some mini rosettes on top of cupcakes using this dough, which was a fun twist for a party!

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

I find the best way to store leftover Red Velvet Rose Cookies is in an airtight container at room temperature. This helps maintain their soft and tender texture. They’ll keep well this way for up to 3-4 days. To avoid smudging the pretty frosted sides, I like to layer them with parchment paper, especially if they’re sandwiched with marshmallow buttercream.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully if you want to make a batch ahead of time. I recommend freezing them unfilled, first piping and baking the rosettes, then letting them cool completely before placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to serve, just thaw them slowly at room temperature before assembling any sandwich cookies.

Reheating

Because these cookies are soft and delicate, I usually avoid reheating with heat directly, which might dry them out. Instead, I let them come back to room temperature naturally, which restores their perfect texture. If you want to warm the buttercream filling a bit, a few seconds in a microwave on low power works, but be careful not to overheat it or the filling might become too runny.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel for this recipe?

You can, but I recommend gel food coloring because it provides vibrant color without adding extra liquid that could affect the dough’s consistency. Regular food coloring might make the dough too wet, so if you use it, add a little less liquid elsewhere to compensate.

What if I don’t have a piping bag or the right tip? Can I use a spoon?

While piping the dough with a 1M or 2D tip gives the cookies their beautiful rose shape, you can definitely spoon small dollops onto your baking sheet in a pinch. The cookies won’t have the rose swirl design, but the taste and texture will still be wonderful.

How do I know when the cookies are baked perfectly?

These cookies can look a little wet when they come out of the oven, which is totally normal. The edges may be set but the tops should still appear soft. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet so they finish baking as they set and develop the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Can I make these cookies without the sandwich filling?

Absolutely! The cookies are delicious on their own and piping them as small rose rosettes makes them charming without any filling. If you prefer a simpler treat, just bake and cool them and enjoy as pretty little bites of red velvet goodness.

What’s the best frosting to use for the sandwich filling?

I personally love marshmallow buttercream for this recipe—it’s light, fluffy, and adds a delightful sweetness that complements the chocolatey red velvet. That said, cream cheese frosting or even a whipped chocolate ganache are fantastic alternatives depending on your taste preferences.

Conclusion

I truly hope you give this Red Velvet Rose Cookies Recipe a try because it’s one of my all-time favorite ways to bring a little joy and elegance to the cookie jar. Piping those delicate rose shapes makes baking feel fun and festive, while the rich, tender flavors keep everyone coming back for more. Whether it’s a holiday, a casual gathering, or just a treat for yourself, these cookies always impress and satisfy. Happy baking, and enjoy every delicious bite!