Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

I had been procrastinating getting back to blogging, for quite some time. Yes sometimes the meaning of "out of touch" hits you literally. I knew I wanted to be back in my own space of creations, but the break had been long. The only attraction that could bring back my motivation, was sitting right there in my kitchen. My oven!!

Yes baking had always been a magical world for me. The perfect combination of science and art, love and taste, fear and fun. A simple combination of butter, flour and eggs can create such an array of tempting creations, that it surely leaves one spellbound. The excitement of the outcome, the aroma of freshly baked goodies and the delight of seeing the perfect crumb, it surely tickles all the senses, not just the tastebuds. This magic never fails to uplift my mood, to divert me from the stress that comes along with the journey of life and yes it surely is an indulgence, that I love to dive in.

And just as I was getting drawn to wearing my apron and gloves, I saw a beautifully patterned swiss roll cake by Pavni on Facebook. As I read the post, I understood it was for Home Baker's Challange, a group of enthusiast bloggers who attempt a new recipe, a new dish and a new level in baking every month. Yes, exactly what I needed. A new challenge, to make me commit to blogging more regularly.







This month's challenge was by Shazana to bake red velvet cake or cookies. And as I had already made red velvet cake and posted as well here, I wanted to try the cookies. Specially because it was "Oreo stuffed red velvet crinkle cookies". I thought, wow this has to be one amazing cookie - it has texture of cake, is red in color, is crinkled, plus has oreos. Surely it ticks many boxes, one which delights the kids and adults, alike. As you can see my little sneaking in :))












Though the exact origin of red velvet cakes is debatable, yet we know that the attractive red color is the result of the acidic reaction of the vinegar or buttermilk with the baking soda. If interested, do read this interesting article about why the present day cakes are not as red as it used to be.  












This recipe was based on the one by Sprinklebakes, and I simply halved the quantity, since it makes monster cookies. Yes they are too big to have one whole. The recipe gave me 6 HUGE oreo stuffed ones and 7 large crinkle cookies.














Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe

(Cake like, red colored crinkle cookies, stuffed with Oreos. Simple delight)

Yields - 12 very large cookies


Ingredients

Butter - 1/2 cup, softened

Sugar - 1 cup

Eggs - 2

Vanilla - 1 tsp

Buttermilk - 1/8 cup

Red food color - 1 tbsp

All purpose flour - 1 3/4 cup

Cocoa - 1/3 cup

Baking powder - 1 tsp

Baking soda - 1/4 tsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Oreo cookies - 12 

Powdered sugar - 3/4 cup (for rolling/dusting)


Method:

1. Cream butter and sugar in a bowl, till fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat after each addition. Add vanilla, buttermilk and red food color and beat again.


2. In a separate bowl sift all dry ingredients - flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. And mix it.


3. Now add dry ingredients to the wet and mix till all combined. If the dough is too sticky, add little more of flour and mix, to make it dough like. It will still be be sticky and very soft. Cover and keep in freezer for 10-15 mins to make it bit firm.


4. Preheat oven at 375 degree. Line cookie tray with parchment.


5. Apply little butter in hands, and scoop out 2 tbsp of dough. Flatten it and place one oreo an hen take more dough to cover it. Try to make it even and circular. Roll in powdered sugar and place aside. Repeat for 5-6 cookies. Then keep in fridge for another 5 mins.


6. Jus before placing in oven, roll again in sugar. This will make the crinkled look prominent.


7. Place 5-6 cookies in the oven and bake for about 11 mins. Recipe suggests 14 mins, but keep a close watch. Once the cookies are puffed up, firm and crinkled, they are done.


8. Take out and let it cool. Repeat for rest of cookies. 


9. Enjoy! 

Some other red velvet recipes from the blogosphere, you might be interested in:


Eggless Red Velvet Cupcakes from Divine Taste

Heritage Red Velvet Cake from Sprinkle bakes

Red Velvet Pancakes from Nigella Lawson