Ingredients
– 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
– ½ teaspoon baking soda
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 tablespoon red food coloring
– 4 oz cream cheese, softened
– ½ cup powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
Equipment Needed
– Mixing bowls
– Electric mixer or whisk
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Baking sheet
– Parchment paper
– Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start off, I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In one mixing bowl, I combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, whisking it all together to ensure it’s evenly mixed. In another bowl, I cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This step is crucial, as it adds a lovely texture to the cookies. At this point, I add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to the butter mixture, mixing well to create a beautiful, deep red batter. (See the next page below to continue steps…)