Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
Coating
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to combine the leavening and dry elements evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and light, ensuring a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing thoroughly to disperse color and flavor evenly throughout the dough.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until a uniform cookie dough forms without overmixing to maintain tenderness.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and carefully roll each into a ball to create even cookies that bake uniformly.
- Bake: Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them adequately, and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges set but centers remain soft.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Remove the cookies from the oven and, while they are still warm, gently roll each cookie in powdered sugar to create the characteristic snowy appearance.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool fully before serving to ensure they hold their shape and the coating sets.
Notes
- Use softened butter, not melted, for best texture in the dough.
- If you prefer a more intense red color, increase the red food coloring slightly.
- Ensure cookies are rolled in powdered sugar while still warm for optimal coating adhesion.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- This recipe yields 24 cookies; adjust ingredient quantities accordingly for different yields.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American