These red velvet cookies are made with 4 easy ingredients and topped with a cream cheese frosting that helps to create the “melting snowman”! This cookie is one I call a “kid favorite” because they love the beauty and mystery behind a melting snowman. Or should I say, my littlest was sad at first, but after her first bite she was just fine!
PIN IT HERE!
Easy peasy recipe for red velvet cookies. This semi-homemade version saves time and tastes delish!
- 1 box devil’s food cake mix
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g) butter, softened
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Red Gel Food Coloring
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare cookie sheets with parchment or silpat.
In stand mixer, add cake mix, butter, and eggs. With mixer on slow, add in red gel food coloring until you reach your desired color. (batter will be very thick).
- Using 1-inch cookie scoop, drop dough about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets.
- Bake 8 to 12 minutes or until set.
- Allow cookies to cool before frosting.
These cookie were inspired by the amazing Meaghan from The Decorated Cookie. She created the Original Melting Snowman cookies five years ago and she is a genius. I have admired her cookies and tutorials for years and feel lucky to know someone who is SO creative! Her idea has been copied so many times its hard to keep track. Its my hope that everyone would know where the brilliant idea began!
While the snowman part of this cookie was inspired by Meaghan, the flavor was all about winter. I wanted to make a cookie that was easy and yummy. I wanted a cookie that would stay delicious for days. I wanted my kitchen to be cleaned by magic kitchen fairies. That didn’t happen.
The cookie was easy. Its made from a box!
Cream Cheese Frosting
I used my favorite Perfect Cream Cheese frosting, only I added in about 1/4 cup of heavy cream. This helps the frosting to not hold its shape and just barely start to spill over the sides of the cookies.
Reese’s Peanut Butter ‘bells’ are used for his hat and I simply cut them in half. (This is best to do that at room temperature.) The snowman’s nose is an orange sprinkle and his eyes are mini chocolate chips.
Place hat on the cookie, drop on the two eyes, then stick his nose on. I let mine stick outward a bit, but you could also just lay it flat. You really can’t go wrong!
And as always, if you are opposed to a box mix, feel free to substitute your favorite red velvet cookie recipe. 🙂 I like to use my Red Velvet Peanut Butter Blossom cookie sometimes!
I remember when Meaghan first created the melted snowman. So clever and darling. These are a fun, and I bet tasty, twist on the idea. Especially that Reece’s Peanut Butter Bell! 🙂
Thank you so much beautiful Kim!
So cute! Does the frosting ‘set up’ at all? I’m curious if these would work as a wrapped cookie for a bake sale? (all the goodies have to be prewrapped, rather than on a tray open for the sale). Thanks.
Angie
Hi Angie! The frosting does not get hard. There is a slight “crusting”, but it stays moist for the most part. I bet you could make a shortening based cream cheese and that would work!
Hey there, I saw these on Pinterest and I absolutely loved them.. só CUTE!!!
These are so adorable! I’ve seen many versions of these, and it’s nice to know where the original came from! I love your version, especially the red velvet part. And those Reese’s Bells make perfect little hats!
I love the little orange nose! These look yummy 🙂
These are positively adorable, Amanda! Such a fun holiday cookie! Pinned.
Amanda, these cookies have to be one of the most fun, adorable ideas I’ve ever seen. I know that kids would love these, but I’m totally serving them at my grown up Christmas party. My friends are going to flip (and then I will send them to your and Meaghan’s blog, hehe). Yay for credit, cookie love, and SUGAR!
Seriously adorable! I bet these would be gobbled up super fast.
These are so adorable! Love love love these!
used to the red velvet cake. this is new to me. thanks for this. love it very much…
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Love these cookies! Great inspiration! Can’t wait to try!
Totally cute cookies!! 🙂
I love red velvet anything and these look great. Can you use a box of the red velvet cake mix instead of the devil’s food cake mix and red food coloring?
Well hello there, adorable little snowman cookies! LOVE these, Amanda!
Hello…Just love you website. Fabulous baking. Use it all the time. Please tell me how long to bake your Reese’s cookie cuos.
Thank you and Happy Holidays.
The red velvet peanut butter blossom cookies require how much red food coloring
It says 8 servings, but how many cookies total does the recipe make? Thinking of making these for our family’s Christmas but we have 13 people coming. Plan on doubling the recipe. Will this work?