Next, in a large mixing bowl, I cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This step usually takes about 3-5 minutes, and trust me, the smell of sweetened butter is simply heavenly! Then, I add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring into the butter mixture, mixing until well combined. Little by little, I add in my dry ingredients, mixing just until the flour is no longer visible. It should start looking and smelling incredible, all bright and red!
Now, for the creamy filling! In a separate bowl, I blend the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. It’s a dreamy consistency that makes me want to eat it straight from the bowl! I fold in the white chocolate chips for that extra richness. Finally, it’s time to assemble the cookies! I scoop a tablespoon of the red velvet dough, flatten it a bit, and add a dollop of cheesecake filling in the center before folding the dough around it like a cozy blanket.
I place these delightful dough balls on my prepared baking sheets, leaving plenty of space in between (they will spread just a bit). Into the oven they go for about 10-12 minutes. I love watching them bake—the color deepens, and the aroma fills my kitchen like a warm hug. Once they’re just set around the edges, I remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.
Pro Tips for Best Results
When I first started making these cookies, I tested the dough several ways to find that perfect balance. I found that using room temperature butter gives the best texture and flavor. If you accidentally forget to take it out ahead of time, a quick trick is to cut it into smaller pieces to speed up the softening process.
I also discovered that chilling the cookie dough for about 30 minutes before baking helps to maintain their shape, so they don’t spread too much. If you prefer a thicker cookie, this step is essential! My kitchen smells like a bakery every time I do this, and the results are absolutely worth the wait.
Lastly, don’t shy away from flavoring! While I adore the classic cream cheese filling, you can easily swap out the white chocolate chips for caramel chips or even sprinkle some crushed nuts in there. Each variation adds its own unique twist to this already fabulous cookie!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake I made on my baking journey was not accurately measuring my flour. It can dramatically affect the texture of your cookies! Make sure to spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife—we want our cookies to be perfect and soft, not dense. (See the next page below to continue…)