For a sweet treat on Valentine's Day, Christmas or any special occasion, you can't beat these festive red velvet recipes. Find ideas for classic red velvet cake, hot cocoa, cookies and more.
19 Stunning Red Velvet Recipes
Updated on May 01, 2024
Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake
In our family no one thinks it’s the holidays without this Red Velvet Cake recipe. I baked the first one for Christmas in 1963 when I found the recipe in the newspaper and my Mother kept the tradition going into the ’80s. It’s different than other Red Velvet Cakes I’ve tasted over the years, since this one tastes only mildly chocolate and the icing is as light as snow. —Kathryn H. Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina
Looking for a healthier alternative? Don’t forget to check out this gluten-free red velvet cake.
1/20
2/20
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Turn a box of red velvet cake mix into this easy dessert—or breakfast! The icing tastes good and makes a pretty contrast with the rolls. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
3/20
Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These festive sugar-coated red velvet cookies are perfect for Christmas. They’re just as delicious as they are beautiful. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
These Ree Drummond red velvet cake cookies offer another delicious alternative for this sweet treat.
4/20
5/20
Red Velvet Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious red velvet pound cake is the perfect combination of flavors. Make sure the cake has cooled before icing it, and for extra crunch sprinkle some roasted pecans on top. —Robin Smith, Old Fort, North Carolina
6/20
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone gets a kick out of this fun take on the popular red velvet cake. Take a shortcut and use packaged cream cheese frosting for the filling. —Judi Dexheimer, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
7/20
Red Velvet Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Festive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your holiday dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina
8/20
Red Velvet Jar Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to make these red velvet jar cakes for friends, family and teachers. Red velvet is my favorite during the holidays, but you can use your favorite cake and frosting flavors. Then dress up the jars with homemade labels and ribbons for gifting. Don’t forget to tie a spoon to the jar; everyone likes to dig right in! —Lillie Collier, Mobile, Alabama
9/20
Red Velvet Spritz Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 8-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I had never come across a red velvet spritz recipe, so I decided to create one. The hint of cocoa makes these taste like red velvet cake. Add peppermint flavoring for a little extra kick. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
10/20
Red Velvet Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It's just not Christmas at our house until this festive cake appears. This is different from other red velvets I’ve had; the icing is as light as snow. For quicker assembly, you can leave the layers untrimmed and simply frost the top and side of the cake with icing. —Kathryn Davison, Charlotte, North Carolina
11/20
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is special to me because it is totally original, my very own! The cookies are firm but not crunchy on the outside, and they're tender inside. The powdered sugar makes them melt in your mouth. —Jane Rundell, Alanson, Michigan
12/20
Doughnut Hole Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the easiest, most impressive cake I’ve ever made! You can use chocolate, lemon or strawberry cake mix in the place of red velvet if you prefer. —Robert Pickart, Chicago, Illinois
13/20
Red Velvet Peppermint Thumbprints
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Red velvet cookies and cakes are so pretty, but I always wish they had a bigger flavor. I infused these thumbprints with a peppermint pop. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
14/20
Pink Velvet Cupcakes
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter loves all things pink, so this recipe was just right for her birthday. Even my teenage son (not a fan of pink) ate his share, too. —Paulette Smith, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
15/20
Red Velvet Cake Balls
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone loves red velvet, but any cake mix can work here. I've even rolled chopped macadamia nuts into pineapple cake and dipped them into white chocolate. Whatever you do, have fun! —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama
16/20
Cheesecake Layered Red Velvet Cake
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love both red velvet cake and cheesecake. So why not combine them into one stunning red velvet cheesecake recipe? It's best when served chilled, right out of the fridge. —Melissa Gaines, Knoxville, Tennessee
17/20
Raspberry Red Bakewell Tart
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I fell for the Bakewell tart, a British dessert, while stationed in Dubai with the Navy. Jam with almond filling is traditional, but red velvet makes this a holiday dazzler. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
18/20
Red Velvet Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My student job in college was in the bakery. These dreamy morsels take me back to that special place and time. Red velvet lovers will appreciate this fun take on the cake. —Christina Petri, Alexandria, Minnesota
19/20
Little Holiday Cakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My college friend shared this cupcake recipe that has pie crust on the bottom, raspberry jam in the middle and cake on top—scrumptious for a buffet or potluck. —Dana Beckstrom, Salt Lake City, Utah
20/20
Red Velvet White Chip Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cookies are soft, chewy and taste as good as they sound. The first time I baked them, I took them to an aunt’s yard sale. Now they’re my go-to for any special event. —Samantha Gstalder, Montoursville, Pennsylvania
