Red Velvet Valentine's Day Cookie Recipe
Sydney Winstead • February 7, 2025
Soft and Chewy Red Velvet Cookies: The Perfect Valentine’s Day Treat ❤️
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and what better way to show your love than by baking up a batch of decadent red velvet cookies? These soft, chewy, and vibrant red cookies, studded with white chocolate chips and just the right hint of cocoa, are perfect for sharing with friends, family, or that special someone. Plus, they’re so easy to make!
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, these cookies come together in no time, making them ideal for a last-minute treat that will impress everyone. So, grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let’s get baking!
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Sprinkles or heart-shaped candy for decoration (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set it aside for now.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes, and it’s the secret to making these cookies extra soft.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: To your butter-sugar mix, add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until everything is well combined. The red food coloring will give the cookies their signature vibrant hue, so don’t skip this step!
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this will keep your cookies soft and chewy.
- Add the Fun Stuff: Stir in the white chocolate chips and, if you’re a fan of nuts, toss in some chopped walnuts or pecans. These add a delightful crunch that balances perfectly with the soft texture of the cookies.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them on your prepared baking sheets. Don’t worry if the dough isn’t perfectly round; these cookies will bake beautifully regardless of shape! Gently press each dough ball down with your fingers or a spoon to flatten them slightly (they won’t spread much while baking).
- Bake and Enjoy: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are set but the centers are still soft. The key to getting that perfect chewy texture is not overbaking them! Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once your cookies have cooled, feel free to get creative with decoration! Add sprinkles, heart-shaped candy, or a drizzle of extra white chocolate to make them even more festive for the holiday.
Tips for Success:
- For an extra pop of flavor, try adding a teaspoon of lemon zest or a splash of almond extract in place of some of the vanilla.
- Want to make them even more indulgent? Swap out the white chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips or drizzle them with melted chocolate after they cool.
These Soft and Chewy Red Velvet Cookies are sure to make this Valentine’s Day extra special! Whether you're gifting them to loved ones or enjoying them as a treat, they’re guaranteed to impress. Happy baking!
*Rendering © Bjarke Ingels Group* Updated plans have been released for 35 South Second Street in Downtown San Jose, a mixed-use development designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) . The project, referred to as the Fountain Alley development , is scheduled for review by the San Jose Planning Director and reflects a shift from an earlier office-and-housing proposal to a predominantly residential program. Project Overview The revised plans call for two residential towers, rising 27 and 28 stories , with a total of 768 apartments and ground-floor retail. The development is part of a broader downtown San Jose master plan led by Westbank and Urban Community , which includes multiple residential and mixed-use sites throughout the city. The project will span approximately 831,600 square feet , including residential units, ground-floor retail, and basement parking. Bicycle parking is planned for 417 spaces, with vehicular parking located in a multi-level subterranean garage. Change in Use Earlier versions of the project included a stronger emphasis on office space. The updated proposal reflects a reconfiguration toward residential use, consistent with other recent revisions within the larger Westbank and Urban Community portfolio in downtown San Jose. A related site at 180 Park Avenue began demolition and excavation in 2022, though work was paused due to an archaeological discovery. Recent reporting indicates that plans for that site have also been revised to focus on residential units rather than office development. Design and Site Details BIG is serving as the project architect, with Bionic as the landscape architect. Renderings show residential towers with balconies, integrated landscaping, and a pedestrian-oriented plaza connecting South Second Street with surrounding streets. Exterior materials are expected to include aluminum, terracotta-toned glass-fiber-reinforced concrete, and curtainwall glass. The development site occupies approximately 1.25 acres along South Second Street, between Santa Clara Street and San Fernando Street, near the Bank of Italy Tower. Housing Mix and Affordability The project is proposed to include: 177 studios 413 one-bedroom units 152 two-bedroom units 26 three-bedroom units Approximately 5% of the units will be deed-restricted for very low-income households, utilizing California’s State Density Bonus law . Next Steps The project is scheduled for review at a Planning Director Hearing on Wednesday, December 17 , to be held virtually via Zoom with opportunities for public comment. Read more and see renderings here ➡ SF YIMBY
New data from RentCafe shows rising competition across San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and the East Bay, with the region’s expanding artificial intelligence sector , tech hiring, and return-to-office trends contributing to stronger rental demand in 2025. Silicon Valley Leads the Region in Rental Demand Silicon Valley recorded the fastest leasing pace in the Bay Area, with apartments renting in an average of 36 days. Comparatively: San Francisco: 42 days East Bay: 44 days Silicon Valley also had the region’s highest occupancy rate at 95.5% , followed by: San Francisco: 94.6% East Bay: 94.1% Applicant demand reflects a competitive landscape shaped in part by continued AI industry expansion: Silicon Valley: 13 applicants per unit San Francisco: 11 applicants East Bay: 10 applicants Slow Construction and High-Tech Job Growth Intensify Competition Apartment inventory growth remains limited throughout the Bay Area: San Francisco: 1.43% growth East Bay: 1.63% Silicon Valley: 2.45% RentCafe notes that reduced construction activity, combined with strong demand generated by AI startups , machine-learning companies , and major tech employers expanding teams , is contributing to a tighter rental market. More Renters Staying in Place Lease renewal rates increased across the region: Silicon Valley: 56.3% East Bay: 52.6% San Francisco: 49.6% Higher renewal rates mean fewer units entering the market — a pressure point amplified by Bay Area job growth in artificial intelligence , software engineering , and cloud computing sectors . Bay Area Performance in National Rankings RentCafe’s 2025 national report shows: Silicon Valley ranked 13th hottest rental market in the U.S. San Francisco ranked No. 42 , up 23 spots from 2024. East Bay ranked No. 53 , up two spots. San Francisco was also identified as the second fastest-rising rental market nationwide, driven by increasing demand from tech and AI professionals , expanding AI research hubs, and larger in-office presence across major employers. How RentCafe Defines the Bay Area Regions San Francisco Region: San Mateo, Redwood City, San Rafael, Petaluma East Bay: Oakland, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Vacaville Silicon Valley: Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose Read more about the rental demand here!
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