Red Velvet Rose Sandwich Cookies are my go to move when I want something that looks fancy but still feels fun and doable on a regular day. You know those times when you want a homemade treat for Valentine’s Day, a baby shower, or just a cozy weekend, but you do not want to wrestle with a complicated dessert? This is that recipe. These cookies are soft, sweet, and filled with a creamy center, and the rose look makes people think you spent hours on them. The best part is you can make them with basic tools and a little patience. Let me walk you through how I make mine so you can savor every bite too.
Why Red Velvet Is a Valentine’s Day Favorite
Red velvet just has that vibe. The color is bold and romantic, the flavor is lightly chocolatey, and it feels special without being too rich. It is also one of those desserts that makes people smile the second they see it on a plate.
What these cookies taste like and why the rose shape works
For Red Velvet Rose Sandwich Cookies, you get a soft cookie with a gentle cocoa flavor, plus a creamy filling that balances the sweetness. The rose shape is not just for looks either. All those little swirls and edges bake into a slightly crisp outer texture, while the middle stays tender. So you get that nice contrast without making a crunchy cookie.
Also, if you are baking for someone who loves cute desserts, these land perfectly. They feel thoughtful. Like you planned ahead. Even if you made them in your sweats the night before, which is honestly how I usually do it.
Ingredients and what you will need
I am keeping this straightforward, because nobody needs a 40 item shopping list for cookies. Here is what I use most of the time.
- All purpose flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder for that hint of chocolate
- Baking powder and a pinch of salt
- Butter softened
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Red gel food coloring for a strong color without watering down the dough
- For the filling: cream cheese or buttercream base, powdered sugar, vanilla
- Optional: a tiny squeeze of lemon juice in the filling to brighten it up
Tools wise, a piping bag and a large star tip make the rose look easy. If you do not have one, you can use a sturdy zip top bag with the corner snipped, but the roses will look more like swirls. Still cute, just different.
If you are in a cookie baking mood, I also keep a couple of simple recipes bookmarked for busy weeks. These 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies are a lifesaver when I want something fast and sweet with almost no effort.
Decorating Ideas to Make Your Cookies Even More Special
This is where you can really have fun, because Red Velvet Rose Sandwich Cookies already look adorable, and then you can add little details that make them feel bakery worthy.
First, a quick note about piping the roses. Pipe rosettes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment, then chill them for about 15 minutes before baking. This helps them hold their shape. If your kitchen is warm, do not skip this. Warm dough spreads and you will lose those pretty ridges.
Here are a few decorating ideas I actually use:
- Dust the finished cookies lightly with powdered sugar for a soft snowy look.
- Dip just one edge in melted white chocolate, then add sprinkles.
- Add a tiny dot of filling and stick on a candy heart or pearl sprinkle.
- Roll the sides in crushed freeze dried strawberries for color and tang.
If you want the filling to look extra neat, pipe it in a circle and leave a little border. Then when you press the top cookie on, it spreads evenly without oozing out the sides. Unless you like that messy look, which I totally get too.
“I made these for my sister’s Valentine brunch and everyone kept asking where I bought them. The rose shape held up, the filling was perfect, and they disappeared in minutes.”
One more fun idea: make a cookie platter with a mix of flavors. Something red velvet, something fruity, something chocolate. If you want a chewy option that feels totally different but still special, these chewy white chocolate cranberry cookies are a really nice match on the same tray.
Storage Tips to Keep Your Cookies Fresh
These cookies are at their best when the texture is soft and the filling is creamy, so storage matters. The good news is they store well if you treat them right.
Here is what I do at home:
Short term: Store the assembled Red Velvet Rose Sandwich Cookies in an airtight container in the fridge. Because the filling usually has cream cheese or butter, refrigeration keeps them safe and fresh. Let them sit at room temp for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the cookies soften a bit and the flavor pops.
Layering tip: Put parchment between layers so the roses do not smush into each other. Those edges are pretty, and it is worth protecting them.
Freezing tip: You can freeze the unfilled cookies easily. I freeze them on a tray first, then move to a freezer bag. When I want them, I thaw at room temp and fill fresh. You can freeze filled cookies too, but the texture of the filling can change a little depending on your recipe.
How long they last: In the fridge, I aim for 3 to 4 days for best taste. They will often be fine a bit longer, but the cookie can start to dry out and the edges lose their magic.
If your cookies feel slightly dry the next day, do not panic. Let them sit in the container for a few hours after filling. The moisture from the filling softens them in a really nice way.
The Best Wine Pairings for Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
I am not a wine expert, but I do love pairing desserts with a glass of something that makes the flavors shine. Red velvet is interesting because it is not full on chocolate, and it is not plain vanilla either. It sits in the middle, which means you have options.
Easy pairings that actually taste good
Here are a few wines that work really well with Red Velvet Rose Sandwich Cookies:
Sweet sparkling wine: Prosecco or a sparkling rosé is a crowd pleaser. The bubbles keep things light, especially if your filling is cream cheese based.
Pinot Noir: If you like red wine, Pinot Noir is softer and fruitier, and it does not bulldoze the cookie flavor.
Ruby Port: If you want cozy and rich, a small glass of port with red velvet is such a treat. This is more of a dessert moment, not a casual sip.
Moscato: Simple, sweet, easy. This is a good option if you are serving people who do not usually drink wine.
If you are serving these at a party, I would go with sparkling rosé. It matches the whole romantic look, and it feels celebratory without trying too hard.
Related Recipes
If you are baking for Valentine’s Day or any time you want a cookie spread, it helps to have a few other recipes lined up. I love having one super simple recipe, one chewy cookie, and one showstopper like these roses.
Here are a couple ideas to round out your baking day:
For a cute themed bake, these heart cookies are always a hit: sweet simple heart shaped chocolate chip cookies. They are straightforward, and you can decorate them with a little extra chocolate or sprinkles.
And when I want something richer and extra cozy for the same season, I make these: chocolate peppermint brownie cookies. They are totally different from red velvet, but they balance the tray with a deep chocolate option.
The main thing is to keep it fun. You do not need a million recipes. Just a few that you know you can pull off without stress.
Common Questions
1) Do I have to use gel food coloring?
You do not have to, but gel gives you a strong red without adding extra liquid. If you only have liquid coloring, use a little more and expect the dough to be slightly softer.
2) Why did my roses spread and lose shape?
Usually the butter was too warm or the piped cookies were not chilled. Chill the piped shapes for 15 minutes before baking, and make sure your baking sheet is not warm.
3) Can I make Red Velvet Rose Sandwich Cookies ahead of time?
Yes. Bake the cookies a day ahead and store them airtight. Fill the next day for the freshest look and texture.
4) What filling works best?
Cream cheese frosting style filling is classic and tastes amazing with red velvet. If you want something sturdier for stacking, a simple vanilla buttercream holds up well.
5) How do I keep the filling from squeezing out?
Do not overfill, and leave a small border around the edge. Also, chill the filled cookies for 20 minutes so the filling sets.
A sweet little sign off from my kitchen
Red Velvet Rose Sandwich Cookies are one of those treats that make people feel loved, and they are honestly not as hard as they look once you try a batch. Keep your dough cool, pipe with a steady hand, and do not overthink the filling. If you want more inspiration, I have leaned on recipes like Red Velvet Rose Sandwich Cookies – I Am Baker when I am in the mood to compare techniques, and I also love the shaping tips in How to Make Heart-Shaped Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies – La Crema for extra Valentine energy. Bake a batch, share a few, stash a couple for yourself, and actually savor them with a hot coffee or a glass of something bubbly.
Red Velvet Rose Sandwich Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 2 cups All purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Unsweetened cocoa powder For a hint of chocolate
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt A pinch
- 1/2 cup Butter Softened
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Red gel food coloring For strong color without watering down the dough
Filling Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream cheese or buttercream base For the filling
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 teaspoon Lemon juice Optional, to brighten up the filling
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and red gel food coloring, and mix well.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
Baking
- Using a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped, pipe the cookie batter onto the prepared baking sheet in rose shapes.
- Chill the piped shapes for about 15 minutes before baking.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until they are set. Let cool on a wire rack.
Filling and Assembly
- While the cookies are baking, prepare the filling by beating together the cream cheese or buttercream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, pipe a circle of filling on the flat side of one cookie and top with another cookie.