Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Ladybug Cookies

I recently held a birthday party for my daughter's 2nd birthday. Since she really isn't into any cartoon characters or TV shows, we did a ladybug theme. It was really cute and I'll put a post up soon about it.

In addition to ladybug-themed cupcakes and a cake, I wanted to make ladybug cookies. But, I didn't want to spend the time making sugar cookies and royal icing and decorating the cookies. I just didn't have the time for that. So, I thought maybe a red velvet chocolate chip cookie could work. It would have the red and the chocolate chips could work as the ladybug's spots.

After looking on Pinterest, I found a recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction that looked promising. She even presses chocolate chips into the cookie after it comes out of the oven. Perfect for adding the ladybug's spots!

Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Ladybug Cookies
(Adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction)


Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups + 1 tbsp all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tbsp red food coloring (I used liquid)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus extra to press into cookies)
• Semi-sweet chocolate chunks

Directions

1.  Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.

2.  Using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

3.  Switch the mixer to medium speed and beat in the brown sugar and granulated sugar until combined.

4.  Beat in the egg, milk and vanilla extract, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Once mixed, add the food coloring and beat until combined.

5.  Turn the mixer off and pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Turn the mixer on low and slowly beat until a soft dough forms. You can beat in more food coloring for a brighter red dough. On low speed, beat in the chocolate chips.

6.  Cover the dough tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.

7.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

8.  Scoop 1.5 tbsp of dough and mold into a ball. Place 9 (I fit 12) balls onto each baking sheet. Bake each batch for 10-11 minutes.

9.  When cookies come out of the oven, press down on the warm cookies to flatten slightly. Stick chocolate chips upside down on top of the cookies to form the ladybug spots. Use chocolate chunks to form the head or use two for the antenna, like above.

10.  Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.