Introduction
Do you ever have one of those afternoons where the house feels a little too quiet and the kitchen is just begging for a splash of color? That was my Tuesday yesterday. After the kids got home from school, Jana, my nine year old, was looking for something a bit more exciting than her usual homework routine. I decided it was the perfect time to pull out our mixing bowls and whip up a batch of Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies. There is something truly magical about the way a simple batch of dough can transform a regular afternoon into a core memory, and these pink velvet sugar cookies are the ultimate way to spread some smiles. If you are looking for easy pink velvet sugar cookies for valentines or just a cheerful treat for a rainy day, you have found the right place.
Growing up in Texas, my grandmother always said that the secret to a happy home was a warm oven. While she was the queen of the smoker and Texas BBQ, she had a soft spot for anything sweet and colorful. These cookies remind me of the vibrant energy she brought to the kitchen, layered with that soft, velvety texture cookies are known for. When Emily walked through the door and saw the counters covered in pink frosting, she couldn’t help but laugh. It is more than just a crumbl copycat pink velvet sugar cookies recipe, it is a piece of my heart on a plate for my family. Grab your apron and let us get baking!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies
- Ingredients for Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies
- How to Make Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies
- Pro Tips & Variations
- Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies Serving Suggestions
- Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies Storage & Reheating
- FAQ about Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies
- Final Thoughts
Why You’ll Love This Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies
Wait until you sink your teeth into one of these. The first thing you will notice is the chewy pink velvet cookies base, which stays moist and tender for days. Here is why this recipe has become a permanent fixture in the Sharif household and why it will be a hit in yours too. First and foremost, these are soft pink sugar cookies that actually stay soft. We have all had those sugar cookies that turn into hockey pucks after an hour, but thanks to the careful balance of brown sugar and cornstarch, these remain pillow soft. They are incredibly kid friendly. Adams, my twelve year old, loves helping with the pink gel food coloring, watching the dough transform from a boring white to a vibrant, celebration ready pink.
This recipe is also a fantastic crumbl pink velvet cookies alternative. If you love that thick, bakery style cookie but do not want to spend five dollars a pop, this is your solution. You get that iconic cream cheese frosting cookies experience right at home for a fraction of the cost. They are also incredibly versatile. While we often make them as easy pink velvet sugar cookies for valentines, they work for baby showers, birthday parties, or even as a special treat for a valentines sweets charcuterie board recipe. The addition of cake batter extract cookies enthusiasts love gives them that nostalgic, birthday cake flavor that makes everyone reach for a second helping. Plus, they look absolutely stunning on a dessert table, making you look like a pro baker without the stress.
Ingredients for Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies
To achieve that soft chewy pink velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting texture, we need a specific set of pantry staples and a couple of special additions. Make sure your dairy items are at room temperature to ensure a smooth dough.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature to create a creamy base.
- Granulated Sugar & Light Brown Sugar: The combination ensures sweetness and a chewy pink velvet cookies texture.
- Egg: One large egg binds everything together.
- Vanilla Extract & Cake Batter Extract: The cake batter extract cookies flavor is what sets these apart.
- Pink Gel Food Coloring: Use gel rather than liquid to get a vibrant color without changing the dough consistency.
- All Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie structure.
- Cornstarch: My secret weapon for a velvety texture cookies fans adore.
- Baking Soda & Salt: For lift and flavor balance.
- Cream Cheese: For the decadent frosting topping.
- Powdered Sugar: To sweeten and thicken the glaze.
- Almond Extract: A tiny drop in the frosting adds a professional bakery finish.
How to Make Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat your softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars. You want it light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which helps the soft pink sugar cookies stay light.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla, and that special cake batter extract. Now comes the fun part. Add the gel food coloring sugar cookies require. Start with a small drop and build until you reach your perfect shade of pink.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture. Do not overmix! You want a dough that is soft but holds its shape.
- Chill the Dough: This is a crucial step for soft and chewy results. Let the dough rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This prevents the cookies from spreading too flat in the oven.
- Bake to Perfection: Scoop large mounds of dough onto a parchment lined sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 9 to 11 minutes. They should look slightly underbaked when you pull them out. That is how you get chewy pink velvet cookies.
- Prepare the Frosting: While the cookies cool, whip together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and a touch of almond extract pink cookies lovers crave.
- Frost and Decorate: Once completely cool, pipe or swirl the frosting on top. I love to finish mine with a few pink sprinkles or cookie crumbs for that crumbl pink velvet cookies aesthetic.
Pro Tips & Variations
Getting that velvety texture cookies perfection is easier with a few insider secrets. First, always use gel food coloring. Liquid coloring can make your dough too runny, leading to flat cookies. If you want a more intense flavor, try adding white chocolate chips into the dough. They provide little pockets of sweetness that Jana absolutely loves.
For a gluten free version, a high quality 1:1 gluten free flour blend works wonders here. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum. If you want a deeper red hue instead of pink, you can easily pivot this into red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting flavors by adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients. To see how other pros handle these vibrant flavors, check out these ideas from Lifestyle of a Foodie who has a great take on the Crumbl style. You can also experiment by adding different extracts like lemon or strawberry for a seasonal twist.
Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies Serving Suggestions
These cookies are stars on their own, but they play so well with others! If you are hosting a Valentine’s Day party or a tea party for the kids, pair these with some pink chocolate dipped strawberries recipe to really lean into the color theme. For a more balanced snack tray, I often add something salty, like my easy homemade butter toffee pretzels recipe, to cut through the sweetness of the frosting.
If you are looking for a dessert spread that will wow your guests, consider serving these alongside some perfect meringue kisses recipe. The difference in textures between the soft pink sugar cookies and the crunchy meringues is delightful. For drinks, a cold glass of milk is a classic choice, but a warm cup of herbal tea or even a pink lemonade for the kids makes the experience fee extra special.
Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies Storage & Reheating
Because of the cream cheese frosting cookies requirement, these need to be stored in the refrigerator if they are frosted. Place them in an airtight container with layers of parchment paper between them to prevent sticking. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. If you haven’t frosted them yet, the cookie bases can stay at room temperature for 3 days.
For long term storage, you can freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature before adding the fresh frosting. If you prefer your cookies slightly warm, you can pop an unfrosted cookie in the microwave for 5 to 7 seconds. It revives that soft and chewy texture instantly. I do not recommend reheating frosted cookies as the cream cheese will melt and become a mess!
FAQ about Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies
How do I get that specific pink velvet texture?
The velvety texture cookies come from the combination of cornstarch and mixing the butter and sugar until very pale and fluffy. This creates a fine crumb that feels like velvet on the tongue.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! These are perfect for making a day in advance. In fact, many people find that the flavor of the cream cheese frosting develops even more after a few hours in the fridge.
Why did my pink velvet sugar cookies spread so much?
Usually, this happens if the butter was too melted or if you skipped the chilling step. Make sure your dough is cold before it hits the oven. For more tips on achieving the perfect bake, you can look at the techniques used by Sprinkles for Breakfast.
Final Thoughts
Baking these Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies always reminds me that life is meant to be colorful and shared with those we love. Watching Adams and Jana compete over who gets the first cookie out of the oven is a reminder of the simple joys that happen in the heart of the home. I hope these cookies bring as much light and laughter to your kitchen as they do to mine. Cooking isn’t just about the food, it is about making people happy, one pink cookie at a time. If you make these, please share a photo on social media and tag me! I would love to see your creations. Don’t forget to save this to your favorite Pinterest board and subscribe to the newsletter for more family favorites from the Mister Recipes kitchen!
Soft & Chewy Pink Velvet Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, cake batter extract. Then add the pink gel food coloring, starting with a small amount and mixing until you reach your desired shade of pink.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) to prevent spreading.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop large mounds of dough (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are just set but the centers still look slightly underbaked. They will continue to cook on the baking sheet.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the powdered sugar and almond extract, mixing on low speed first, then increasing to medium until the frosting is fluffy. If it's too thick, add a splash of milk (not listed, but optional).
- Once the cookies are completely cool, frost each cookie with the cream cheese frosting. Decorate with pink sprinkles or cookie crumbs if desired.
