Red Velvet Thumbprints With Marshmallow Frosting.
I did I did!
First, I baked all day Friday. Then I didn’t clean up the kitchen at all, until 9PM rolled around and I whined that if I didn’t clean up the kitchen, I’d hate myself in the morning. So I did what any normal person does… lay on the couch and watch Fashion Police.
Saturday morning I woke up, hated myself for not cleaning the kitchen, and then… sat down on the couch.
Then I worked out with my husband. Ummm… a huge first. Granted we met in a gym (oh hi, cliche) and have worked out in close proximity to each other for years, but I am the type of person who wants to speak to no one while exercising – the type who puts my headphones on full blast and purposely ignores people even as they are flailing their arms in front of me.
Um what? I can’t hear you.
So yeah. We did that.
Then we did something else totally crazy… that included making breakfast, together. Like… cooking in the kitchen. AT THE SAME TIME. And not threatening divorce. This was huge.
He made eggs (they were okay) and I made pancakes (ehh… still okay) and then we ate. And then we decided after three plus years of being married that hey… we sort of actually like each other.
True story.
Then we started to fiiiiinally take down the Christmas decorations. And I tortured him to death because let me tell you this: my husband has a wild and crazy phobia of styrofoam. Yes, STYROFOAM! It makes him cringe, like nails on a chalkboard. I find it hilarious and love to squish it together anytime I can get my hands on it. I’ve often thought of wrapping one of his birthday presents in like 42 styrofoam boxes that progressively get smaller, and smaller, and…
I think he retracted his precious post-breakfast feelings after that.
So I got sucked into Rob Lowe’s memoir and read the entire thing in less than 24 hours. Then I google-imaged pictures of Rob Lowe for three more hours.* Then I wondered when it became unacceptable to hang posters of Rob Lowe on your (marital) bedroom ceiling.
Then I wondered why I don’t have a life.
In between all that, I ate pizza. Pizza is a super Saturday-y thing to do.
I didn’t do any laundry. Oh! But he did. My husband… not Rob Lowe. Until the washing machine broke mid-load. That was fun!
Not.
And while that was happening I was watching the Golden Globe red carpet hoopla, figuring that since most of the people on TV hadn’t eaten a brownie in like four months, that I’d eat an extra one for them. So I did. And I’ll tell you about those later. I also took a good fifteen minutes contemplating my thoughts on Gerard Butler’s hair. Then before I knew it Scott Disick was on the screen wearing some sort of violet blazer-type suit thing, which made me reconsider my favorite color and start re-reading Rob Lowe’s memoir.
Then Mr. How Sweet came downstairs and realized I still had not started researching washing machines, and umm… didn’t I know he is sincerely Type A and has to do a load of laundry (which consists of every color, fabric and item mashed together, not separated) every single day? And why couldn’t I just start acting like a grown up?
Then I reminded him of these red velvet cookies I had baked on Friday… totally thought up by someone brilliant on the Facebook page. I mean, I really didn’t think I could bust out a cookie this early in the year, with all the flour and sugar and pounds of butter looming heavily on my memory. I haven’t even craved a cookie since like, December 19th. But these made it past my mixer and just in time for you for Valentine’s Day… or you know, Tuesday. So he was happy.
And just then Rob Lowe came out to present a Golden Globe and was out there for an extra long time and I almost died. It’s totally fate.
Red Velvet Thumprints
[adapted from s’mores thumbprints]
makes about 20 cookies
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg yolk
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons red food coloring
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sift flour, cocoa powder and salt into a bowl and set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until fluffy (scraping the bowl when needed), for about 3-4 minutes. Add in egg yolk and vanilla, and beat for another 1-2 minutes until combined. Add in red food coloring (note: I used liquid coloring, if you use gel you may need more/less) and mix until color spreads. With the mixer on low speed, stir in the flour mixture and gradually increase the speed for the dough to come together, again scraping down the sides to combine. One batter has come together, fold in mini chocolate chips.
Roll into balls that are about 1 inch in diameter and set on a baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from oven and gently press your thumb into the center of each cookie, creating a dent. Place the cookies back in the oven and bake for 5-6 more minutes. Remove and let cool completely.
Cream Cheese Marshmallow Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3/4 cups marshmallow fluff
1 3/4 cups of powdered sugar
1-2 teaspoons milk, if needed
Beat cream cheese in the bowl of electric mixer until creamy. Add in fluff and beat for 2-3 minutes, then add in vanilla extract. With the mixer on low speed, add in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until fully incorporated. Once all the sugar has been added, beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes. If mixture if too runny, add a bit more sugar. If it’s too thick, add a bit of milk one teaspoon at a time. Frost cookies, then top with shaved chocolate if desired.
*Wait, that’s a lie. I’m not done.
162 Comments on “Red Velvet Thumbprints With Marshmallow Frosting.”
Styrofoam Is like nails on a chalkboard! Makes me shudder. And these cookies are so valentines-ey :) I watched Rob Lowe’s Bio or E true hollywood story (can’t remember which) some random sunday.. very addictive and hollywoodish.
Sounds like my idea of a wonderful weekend! And these cookies look so soft and yummy!
You had me at red velvet! These are to cute, perfect for valentines day coming up!
yup….going to make these soon =) i am super excited about the frosting because i was looking for a good marshmallow frosting to do on my son’s birthday cake and cupcakes =)
Such a unique use of red velvet! It’s Not just for cakes anymore!
I love thumbprint cookies…I love smashing cookies with my fingers. And I love Rob Lowe soooo much. I need to read his book.
These would be so great for Valentine’s Day! Amazing!
These look SO good! Must try!
Have been listening to Rob Lowe’s book. He read it himself so it feels like he’s sitting with me and telling stories, so fantastic!
OMG.
Are you serious?
I’m going to buy that.
Wondering if there was any way to substitute regular marshmallows for the marshmallow fluff in the frosting?! I have an abundance of mini marshmallows and would love to use them!!
Hmmm I’m honestly not sure… because even if you melt the marshmallows they will harden back up, whereas fluff stays soft. Maybe you could just top the frosting with some?
So cute for Valentines Day! I’d just take a spoonful of the frosting, holy yum!
Every time I read Rob Lowe I first picture Rob Schneider. I can’t help it. I KNOW who Rob Lowe is, but for some reason I can’t NOT think that’s Rob Schneider’s name.
Oh no… no no no. Hahaha!
My husband and I like to cook together sometimes but it’s definitely not always easy. Glad to hear you succeeded. These cookies are *awesome*!
ooohhh yum, these look delish.
fashion police is always a part of my friday night! no shame :)
sounds like a perfectly relaxing weekend! And those cookies look delicious, what a great idea!
Oh wow. I’m not sure if I should be allowed to make these. They might all end up in my mouth. Mysteriously. Through no fault of my own. Thank you!
I wish I could borrow your brain! How you come up with these things I have no idea! But I love it!!!
What’s your recipe for a standard red velvet cake? And your red velvet cake balls?
Here is my red velvet cake recipe: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/01/red-velvet-cake-2/
And as for red velvet cake balls, I always just make a box mix. I find it completely wasteful to make a cake from scratch and then destroy it and combine with frosting!
Awesome, thank you. I’ve been searching for a really good one but haven’t had any luck
You’re welcome! I usually make that cake as a sheet cake as does our family friend who gave me the recipe. It can work as a layer cake too though!
These are soo cute! Love anything red velvet and cream cheese- will have to give them a try :)
O.M.G I would hoard these.
These are so pretty!
I LOVE that you used marshmallow fluff instead of cream cheese frosting! There is a reason I love this blog!
Wow. I shouldn’t show these pictures to my husband … he may want to switch wives! ;) Just kidding, but he loves anything red velvet … and so do I! :)
Yum. I’m adding these to my “must bake now” list! Although I’m currently on day 6 of a 10 day fruit/veggie diet detox…so I’ll at least have to wait until the weekend. Bummer..although they would be a good way to break my fast ;)
Oh they look awesome. Anything that stuffed and smushed with marshmallows just got elevated to a higher level, too :)
I’m glad this weekend was pretty substantial for you. It’s always nice to hear that your betrothed actually can stand you… And not only because you bake him sweets and curse at him to leave you alone at the gym.
Is this real life?
Oh my gawd, those look to-die-for!
I would for sure eat these cookies (non-stop) until they are completely gone. They look sooo delicious.
This idea is genious!!! Love it
I have like a million red velevet recipes I want to make for Valentines Day and this one is going to have to be squeezed in as one million and one! PS Cute plate with the red on it!
These would also look cute with some heart-shaped sprinkles or red hots on them!
What a cute idea for red velvet. The only problem is that I will eat them all because they are so small.
I was trying to figure out how I would choose red velvet over Rob Lowe…and then I saw that you had run OUT of Rob Lowe when you turned to red velvet. It all made sense then. I was almost over my addiction to Rob after West Wing ended. (He was just SO smart!) Imagine my happiness when I found him on Brothers & Sisters! Now that’s over, too. I need red velvet. :(
I met my husband at a gym too….I worked there if that makes it even worse. I decided he was quite the catch and he should be my new boyfriend. Turns out I was right. 12 years and 2 kids later……so it maybe cliche but it works for me :)
I wooed him with Christmas cookies……true story. Most healthy guy I know, or I guess I didnt know, because I thought I would get to him with cookies. I guess it was the thought that counted, I still think he didnt eat them because unlike me, he can totally pass on home made baked goods….another cliche–Opposites attract, and I cant wait to make some of these yummy red velvets and eat them all myself!
I have a best friend who literally touches styrofoam and gets goose bumps all over her body. It’s the craziest thing ever!
marshmellow and red velvet!? done and done! You flipping genius, you! <3
how cute! I love your recipes, they are always like little tweeks or twists on the standard recipes! :)
oh. my. god. I just made ure red velvet brownies and now you’re tempting me with red velvet thumbprints?! ohhh you’re good
I am in love with these cookies! I love the marshmallow frosting, I love the red velvet, I can’t wait to make them!
CREAM CHEESE MARSHMALLOW FROSTING! how have I missed this???
These look absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to whip up a batch in the near future. Your entire blog is so beautiful and such an inspiration to me!
Thank you! That really means so much to me.
you totally crack me up! your thoughts, your words… and of course i love your recipes! BEAUTIFUL photography <3
These look awesome! I stumbled upon your blog last week, and have been enjoying it ever since. I see that you are from Pittsburgh. My husband and I live in New Castle, PA (have you been to Salt of the Earth in Garfield? Amazing restaurant!) . I recently started blogging more frequently, and your blog is definitely inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
Ahhhh love that you are local! We have no been there but I am anxious to go!
Wow!! Those cookies look incredible!
I made these and they are so good. The perfect afternoon treat. Thanks for the recipe!!
YUMMM! Can I omit the marshmallow fluff at all? 1) No fluff here 2) Hard to find marshmallow :( Thank you love x !
Sure. you can just make a cream cheese frosting, maybe add another ounce or two of cream cheese!
Ok, so I have a TOTAL crush n a guy at the gym! DO tell how you manage to talk to someone when you’re working out?? What do you say without sounding totally lame??
Hahahahaha oh man… I wish I could give you a tip but I met my husband while I was working at them gym… I trained his friend at the time. I think maybe first try to figure out if this guy is talkative at the gym?
Those are awesome cookies!!! I am the same way when I work out…no one talk to me please:-)
You had a very full weekend (and totally cracked me up as I read about it). As for the styrofoam…well, I feel your husband’s pain. You definitely made up for it with these adorable thumbprint cookies.
I’ve always wanted to make red velvet cake from scratch, but buying the red food coloring alone usually costs 4 times as much as the boxed mix! I really want to make these cookies for a valentines day party, though; do you have a food coloring supplier secret?!
Hahahah I don’t, but these cookies barely call for any compared to red velvet cake! You would only need one bottle, even for a triple batch.
OK I am totally with your husband about styrofoam. Gives me the creeps! :O Cookies look awesome. :)