Name: Red Velvet Edible Cookie Dough
Prep time: 17 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened; ¼ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ tablespoon red food coloring; ⅔ cup all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips

Red Velvet Cookie Dough is a delightful no-bake treat that brings all the flavor of red velvet cookies without the need to turn on the oven. Perfect for those moments when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to wait for cookies to bake!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This edible cookie dough delivers the classic red velvet flavor in a fun, scoopable form. The combination of cocoa powder, vanilla, and that signature red color creates the perfect red velvet experience, while mini chocolate chips add delightful texture. Since the flour is heat-treated, you can enjoy this cookie dough worry-free, straight from the bowl. It’s quick to make (ready in just 17 minutes!), requires no special equipment, and satisfies those cookie cravings instantly.

Indulgent Red Velvet Edible Cookie Dough

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Unsalted butter creates the rich, creamy base for this cookie dough, giving it that authentic cookie texture and flavor. Using softened butter allows it to blend smoothly with the sugars.

Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps create the light texture we love in cookie dough. It balances perfectly with the slight bitterness from the cocoa powder.

Brown sugar adds a deeper, more complex sweetness with subtle molasses notes that enhance the red velvet flavor profile. It also contributes to the soft, moist texture of the dough.

Milk adds just enough moisture to bring the dough together without making it too wet. You can substitute with any milk you have on hand, including non-dairy options.

Vanilla extract provides that warm, aromatic flavor that’s essential in good cookies. It complements both the cocoa and sugar flavors beautifully.

Red food coloring gives this dough its signature vibrant hue. Gel food coloring works best as it provides intense color without adding too much liquid to the dough.

All-purpose flour forms the foundation of the cookie dough. Heat-treating it first ensures it’s safe to eat in this no-bake form. This simple step eliminates any risk associated with consuming raw flour.

Unsweetened cocoa powder delivers that subtle chocolate flavor that makes red velvet treats distinctive—not overly chocolatey but with enough depth to be interesting.

Salt enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness. Even this small amount makes a noticeable difference in the overall taste profile.

Mini chocolate chips add texture and bursts of chocolate throughout the dough. Their small size distributes evenly, ensuring chocolate in every bite.

Directions

Heat treat the flour: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread the flour evenly on a baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches 165°F on a food thermometer. Allow the flour to cool completely before using.
Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined.
Add wet ingredients: Mix in the milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until fully incorporated and you achieve a vibrant red color.
Incorporate dry ingredients: Add the cooled heat-treated flour, cocoa powder, and salt to the bowl. Mix until all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated and no flour streaks remain.
Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Serve and enjoy: Serve the edible cookie dough in bowls, use it as a topping for desserts or ice cream, or simply enjoy it with a spoon straight from the bowl.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 4 generous servings, perfect for a small family treat or for sharing with friends. Prep time is approximately 17 minutes, which includes the time to heat-treat the flour. There’s no additional chilling or waiting time required, making this a quick dessert option when you need something sweet in a hurry.

Each serving contains approximately 360 calories, so you can enjoy this treat while still being mindful of your daily intake.

Variations

Cream Cheese Red Velvet: Add 2 ounces of softened cream cheese to create a cookie dough that tastes like red velvet cheesecake.

White Chocolate Red Velvet: Substitute white chocolate chips for the mini chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier variation.

Double Chocolate: Double the cocoa powder and chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey version.

Cake Batter Red Velvet: Add 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla for a cake-like flavor.

Red Velvet Cookie Dough Truffles: Roll the dough into small balls, freeze for 30 minutes, then dip in melted white chocolate for elegant bite-sized treats.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover cookie dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The dough will firm up when chilled, so let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Freezer Storage: For longer storage, place the cookie dough in a freezer-safe container, with parchment paper between layers if stacking. It will keep well for up to 3 months.

Serving From Frozen: To enjoy from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes until softened enough to scoop.

Portioning Tips: Consider pre-scooping the dough into individual servings before freezing for easy portioning later.

FAQs

Why do I need to heat treat the flour?

Raw flour can contain harmful bacteria like E. coli. Heat treating the flour by baking it to 165°F kills potential pathogens, making it safe to consume in no-bake recipes like this edible cookie dough.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter. If you do, reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid making the dough too salty.

How can I tell if my flour has been heated enough to be safe?

The safest way is to use a food thermometer to ensure the flour reaches 165°F throughout. If you don’t have a thermometer, baking the flour spread thinly for 5-7 minutes at 350°F should be sufficient.

Can I make this recipe without food coloring?

Absolutely! The red coloring is purely for aesthetics. Without it, you’ll have a light brown cookie dough that still has the delicious red velvet flavor from the cocoa powder and vanilla.

Is this dough suitable for baking into cookies?

This recipe is specifically formulated for eating raw and lacks the leavening agents (like baking soda) needed for proper baking. It also doesn’t contain eggs, which help provide structure when baked. For best results, use a recipe designed for baking cookies.

Can I use a non-dairy milk substitute?

Yes, any milk substitute like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk will work fine in this recipe, making it easy to adapt for dairy allergies or vegan diets.

How can I make this recipe vegan?

Replace the butter with a plant-based butter substitute and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free. The rest of the ingredients are already vegan-friendly.

My dough seems too dry. What should I do?

Add additional milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Be careful not to add too much, as the dough should remain thick and scoopable.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, this recipe doubles easily. Simply multiply all ingredients by two and follow the same instructions. It’s perfect for parties or when you want to make a larger batch to store.

How do I know if my cookie dough has gone bad?

If your cookie dough develops an off smell, changes in texture (becoming extremely hard, slimy, or developing mold), or changes in color beyond what’s expected, it’s best to discard it.

Conclusion

This Red Velvet Edible Cookie Dough recipe hits all the right notes—it’s quick to prepare, requires no baking (just a quick heat treatment for the flour), and delivers that classic red velvet flavor in a fun, scoopable form. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings or serving as an impressive dessert at gatherings, this treat combines the best of red velvet with the nostalgic joy of eating cookie dough. Whether you enjoy it by the spoonful, use it as an ice cream topping, or transform it into elegant truffles, this versatile dough is sure to become a favorite in your no-bake dessert repertoire.