*This post is sponsored by Caboodles
These ooey gooey red velvet cake mix cookies are both moist, soft and absolutely delicious. They are so simple to make and go perfect at our mom n’ me Galentines Day party!
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
A long time ago I fell in love with red velvet. At the time, it was in the form of a decadent little gluten-free cupcake made by my dear friend Julia. As a baker extraordinaire, she created the most luscious, mouth watering dessert I have ever had.
Since first enjoying those little treats years ago, I have been wanting to create a dessert as memorable as her delicious red velvet cupcakes. I decided this year that I was up to the task with these easy red velvet cake mix cookies!
I ended up serving these at my annual Galentines day party where nobody but myself has to live gluten-free. The girls said they were delicious! They thought both presentation and taste were spot on.
Now, I realize that the red dye isn’t ideal. Truly yucky stuff but to get that deep red color, it is almost impossible without it. I’ve tried the natural food dyes on the market and they just aren’t potent enough for red velvet. Feel free to leave it out if you don’t mind the lack of red color. It is much healthier for you that way.
I have to say that I may be making these delicious ooey gooey red velvet cookies for more than just Valentines. Just think, they would be perfection at Christmas time with some green sprinkles and could even make for an eerie little treat at halloween if dressed up right. We sure loved these cookies and think they will also make you and your Valentine swoon…
Valentines Caboodles
I could not think of a cuter set up for our Galentines mom n’ me gathering then these On-the-go girl pink shimmer Caboodles! They made the table so festive with all the pops of pink and the mirrors added dimension.
I was so excited to surprise the girls with the Galentines goodies that filled each Caboodle. For the little girls, I thought it would be fun to put little heart cups, plates and straws in the bottom for them to put their treats on. 
Each girl also got two matching Valentine’s scrunchies and the mama’s got one. These were handmade and found from a small shop on Etsy.
The girls each got a rose cuticle oil, pink chapstick and Valentines pencil as well. They fit so well in the left side compartment next to the mirror. I had to make sure there was also a little heart box of chocolates because what is Valentines without chocolate right?
And as with any of our gatherings, it wouldn’t be complete without decorated sugar cookies from my friend Shanan at Enchanted Cookie Boutique (she ships nationwide!). For this Galentines party I wanted to keep the cookies in theme.
I decided on little red brushes, pink caboodles and pink nail polish. The couldn’t have fit better in the Caboodle! There are so many great compartments in them that make it so cute but also very functional.
In addition to the cookies being darling they were also so tasty and even gluten-free for me! You could also make these double thumbprint heart cookies for added yum and cuteness!
CharCUTErie Board
I have been SO excited to create this charCUTErie board in a gorgeous heart shape. I found this board at Williams Sonoma as well as the mini heart marble boards that are probably coasters but they are so dang cute for mini charcuterie boards!
Putting a couple heart dishes on the board add so much pizzaz and give it that really Valentines look. I also like popping on a few heart shaped chocolate and cookies with jammy heart cut outs.
You can even cut cheese into little hearts and arrange salami slices like a rose for a bit more WOW!
Grazing and gluten-free cheese and charcuterie boards are fantastic for gatherings because they are so easy to put out and then let everyone nibble on at their own pleasure. As a host, you couldn’t ask for a better set up. 
No more running in and out of the kitchen, you can now sit down and relax with everyone else! Don’t feel like you have to keep it only savory, you can add in the sweets as well for an all inclusive board. 
For mini boards, simply add smaller portions of your favorite things to each board. I recommend a meat, a cheese and a veggie but crackers are also great.
Adding herbs to your charCUTErie board gives it life and color. I love fresh rosemary because it gives the board and authentic wreath feel which I love. Fresh sage is also great because it looks like leaves. 
Galentines Mocktail
Oh how I love making mocktails! Valentines mocktails are what I am especially loving right now since they are so fitting with the season.
Whether I am just going to make a simple non-alcoholic gin and tonic or a lovely cranberry mocktail, they really just pull together any meal or gathering.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy either. For this Galentines day gathering, I made a simple fruit and herb water. By adding some raspberries and rosemary, you’ve created a delicious drink that is so refreshing too.
Galentines Party Activities
I love keeping things just fun and happy at a girls Galentines’s party. Using the things we are already going to have on the table makes sense.
Since each girl and their mama was going to receive a Caboodle, I thought hair doing with the Valentines scrunchies, nails with their nail polish and makeup with their lipgloss was a fun little activity for them.
These Caboodles worked perfectly because the girls LOVED looking at themselves in the big, flip up mirror and looking through the little compartments for fun new Valentines prizes!
Of course, eating is also a party of any party so be sure to have plenty of treats and goodies. Here are some other great ideas…
- Makeovers
- Facials
- Hand massages
- Play button, button who’s got the button with a heart button
- Mini cake frosting
The biggest thing is to remember to let everyone just sit back and relax. Those special moments that are unplanned will be the most magical…
Lovely Cookie Decorating
Cookie decorating (like we did at our Galentines day cookie decorating party) is a great activity for any February get together. I especially love doing it when little ones will be joining in since they think it is so much fun. Because who doesn’t love Valentines Day sugar cookies?!
Yes, you can always do decorated sugar cookies but you can also decorate our red velvet cake mix cookies. They are especially fun during Christmas or Valentines. 
For a party, you can do a cute set up with unfrosted heart soft gluten-free sugar cookies, little cups of frosting and sprinkles that come in a variety of sizes and colors.
The kids will love this activity and definitely gives them the opportunity to get creative. 
Valentines Books
We have a huge collection of Valentines books. I LOVE reading about love all month long. Taking them to a Galentines gathering just makes sense especially when it’s a mommy and me gathering.
Here are a few of our favorites…
No matter which books you choose, little ones are sure to love the cuddles and special time as you read them. We also love Valentines coloring books and games.
How to make red velvet cake mix cookies
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Preheat oven to 350
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Cream the butter and cream cheese together
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Add the egg and mix well
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Slowly add the cake mix, food dye and cocoa powder and mix until well combined
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Scoop by medium-large ice cream scoops (4 T) onto a greased, or my favorite, a silicone mat lined baking sheet
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Flatten each cookie with the bottom of a cup and bake 12-15 minutes
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Frost cooled cookies with cream cheese frosting and top with sprinkles if desired
How do you store leftovers?
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight refrigerator and are good for 3 days. I actually love to enjoy them nice and cold.
Can you make these dairy-free?
You can make these with Earth Balance butter sticks and dairy-free cream cheese, although it may taste different.
If you love this recipe, you are also going to want to try these…
- Gluten-free Valentines recipes
- Gluten-free banana black bottom pie
- Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies from Sarah Bakes Gluten free
- Gluten Free Raspberry Chocolate Truffle Brownie Bombs from Flippin’ Delicious
- Chocolate Love Cakes from My Gluten-free Kitchen
- Gluten-Free Sweet Tortilla Pizza from Allergy Free Alaska
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Red Velvet Cake Cookies & Galentines Party
Ingredients
- 16 oz gluten-free chocolate cake mix
- 1/2 C butter
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 egg
- 2-3 T red food dye
- 1 T cocoa powder
Cream cheese frosting
- 4 oz butter
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 c powdered sugar
- .5 tsp gluten-free vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350
- Cream the butter and cream cheese together
- Add the egg and mix well
- Slowly add the cake mix, food dye and cocoa powder and mix until well combined
- Scoop by medium-large ice cream scoops (4 T) onto a greased, or my favorite, a silicone mat lined baking sheet
- Flatten each cookie with the bottom of a cup and bake 12-15 minutes
- Frost cooled cookies with cream cheese frosting and top with sprinkles if desired
DELISH. The cookies are to die for. They totally taste like a swig cookie!
The caboodles are a unique and fun idea for this party, love it!
Thanks Cindy! So glad you loved it. 🙂
I love this whole party but I made the cookies and WOW! They are so good! Love how easy they are to make too!
Thanks Lyn, yes they are super easy. Glad you loved them!
These look amazing!!! Anyone know where to get a GF Red Velvet cake mix?
Thanks! It actually calls for a GF chocolate cake mix in the recipe…
This recipe actually calls for a GF chocolate cake mix. Thanks!:)
Love frosted cookies, these look great!
So who was the lucky winner of this contest!
Thank you guys for this giveaway! I’d love to win the kitchenaid so I can make yummy gluten free treats for my family!
These cookies look absolutely perfect!
Sweet contest to make up some gluten free sweets:)!