Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Here's a fun treat for these cold, bitter days of January.  If the response on Instagram for the photo of these lovelies is any indication of the joy these cookies can provide, well then I think you will be EXCEEDINGLY happy if you make these:) I've seen these around, but every single time I click  to find the recipe, it is ALWAYS a cake mix recipe.  I wanted the real thing.  Something that I could be proud of.  Something I could bake at the bakery for the next 5 weeks and make people giddy with delight.  And do you know what?  I'm not sure the recipe for the cookies is any harder than emptying a cake mix and adding a few things.  I actually just tweaked my Favorite Chocolate Cookie recipe.  (It was one of the top 10 recipes last year!!) Really easy and you will be a STAR where ever you take these. Enjoy!!

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

1 c. butter

1 c. shortening

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

 4 eggs

1 T. water

2 t. vanilla

5 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. cocoa powder

1 1/2 t. baking soda

1 1/2 t. salt

1 10-12 oz package of white chocolate chips

1/2- 1 t. red food color (depending on how red you want the cookies)

1 c. slivered almonds (optional)

1 c. powdered sugar (for rolling the dough balls in before baking.)

Cream butter, shortening, sugars, eggs, water, and vanilla.  Add dry ingredients and mix until combined.  Add chips and nuts if you'd like.  Scoop dough balls  and plop each one in a bowl of powdered sugar.  Make sure the cookie is completely covered in powdered sugar.  This is what gives you the crinkle look.   Bake at 350'F for 10-12 minutes.  Enjoy!