"Red Velvet" Cookies

So why, you may ask, are these titled "Red Velvet" if they are, in fact, not red? Well, in the quest to decrease the amount of artificial ingredients in my baking, I simply left out the food coloring. Did you know that red velvet desserts are actually chocolate flavored? I know, right!?!

If you want your cookies to be "true" red velvet cookies, go ahead and add the coloring. However, they taste just as amazing without it : )

These are so chewy, so chocolatey, and so delicious. I really liked them using the vanilla chips, but feel free to stick with the original chocolate chips if you want - either way would be yummers!
"Red Velvet" Cookies
Adapted from this recipe
Makes 15-20 cookies

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar (or honey sucanat)
1/2 cup brown sugar (or honey sucanat)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (or 7.5 oz Soft White wheat flour)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
1/2 cup chocolate or vanilla chips

Preheat your oven to 375º.

Cream together the butter and sugars until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Stir in coloring (if using). Stir together cocoa, flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Stir until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips.

Using medium cookie scoop, place 2-tablespoon-sized dough balls on cookie sheet, leaving 2 inches between cookies. Bake until cracked and slightly puffy looking, about 12-15 minutes. Enjoy!