Swirled Christmas Cookies bring holiday cheer with their vibrant red and green dough swirled together into delightful pinwheels. These cookies are not only visually stunning but also incredibly soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet. They make an ideal treat for gifting, holiday parties, or creating a festive cookie platter. With a simple recipe that’s full of flavor, you’ll want to add these to your Christmas baking list!
Why You’ll Love This Swirled Christmas Cookies
These cookies are a favorite for many reasons. First, they are visually appealing with their colorful swirls, making them a standout addition to any cookie platter. Second, the combination of buttery sweetness and a soft texture ensures that every bite is enjoyable. Third, they are easy to make, even for novice bakers, proving that you don’t need to be a pro to create something beautiful and delicious. Additionally, colorful Christmas cookies can easily fit into any holiday theme, making them versatile. You can also experiment with different color combinations for various occasions. Lastly, they make great gifts, as everyone loves receiving homemade treats during the holidays!
Ingredients for Swirled Christmas Cookies
Gather these items:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk (optional, for softer dough)
- ½ teaspoon red food coloring
- ½ teaspoon green food coloring
- Sprinkles or colored sugar, to sprinkle on top after baking
How to Make Swirled Christmas Cookies Step-by-Step
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, and mix until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Add milk if dough is too dry.
- Step 2: Divide dough into two equal portions. Add red food coloring to one portion and green food coloring to the other. Mix until colors are fully incorporated. Chill the dough for 30 minutes if too soft to handle.
- Step 3: Roll each dough portion to about ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Step 4: Place red dough on top of green dough. Press gently, then roll the dough into a log. Slice the log into ¼-inch thick discs to create a pinwheel swirl pattern.
- Step 5: Place discs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, until edges begin to turn golden. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
- Step 6: Sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles on top for a festive finish.
Pro Tips for the Best Swirled Christmas Cookies
Keep these in mind:
- Chill dough if it becomes too soft to handle.
- Use different colors for various occasions to create unique Christmas cookie designs.
- For an extra festive touch, consider adding Christmas cookies with swirled frosting.
- Ensure that your butter is softened properly for the best texture.
Best Ways to Serve Swirled Christmas Cookies
These cookies are perfect for any holiday gathering. Serve them on a colorful cookie platter alongside other treats like holiday swirled sugar cookies or marbled holiday cookies. They also make delightful gifts when packaged in decorative boxes or tins. Pair them with a cup of hot cocoa or eggnog for a cozy treat during the festive season.
How to Store and Reheat Swirled Christmas Cookies
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them fresher for longer, consider freezing them. Simply place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature, or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Swirled Christmas Cookies
What’s the secret to perfect Swirled Christmas Cookies?
The secret to perfect Swirled Christmas Cookies lies in the consistency of your dough; it should be soft yet manageable. Ensure that you chill the dough if it becomes too sticky, as this will help you achieve the beautiful pinwheel swirls.
Can I make Swirled Christmas Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These cookies can be made ahead of time, frozen, and then baked fresh when you’re ready to serve. This makes them an excellent option for busy holiday schedules.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Swirled Christmas Cookies?
To avoid common mistakes, be sure to measure your ingredients accurately and chill the dough if it becomes too soft. This will help you create the perfect pinwheel swirls that make these cookies so special.
Creative Variations of Swirled Christmas Cookies You Can Try
There are countless ways to customize these cookies! Try using different color combinations like blue and white for Hanukkah or pastel colors for spring celebrations. You can also experiment with flavors by adding peppermint extract or almond extract for a unique twist. For a gourmet touch, use flavored icing to decorate your cookies!
For more delicious recipes, check out Apple Pie Baked Oats or Creepy Cute Mummy Veggie. If you’re looking for a savory option, try Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken or Orange Zucchini Bread. For dessert lovers, Irresistible Butter Chicken Recipe is a must-try!
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Swirled Christmas Cookies: 5 Reasons to Bake These Festive Treats
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Swirled Christmas Cookies bring holiday cheer with vibrant red and green dough swirled together into pinwheels. Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, these cookies are perfect for gifting, holiday parties, or creating a festive cookie platter.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk (optional, for softer dough)
- ½ teaspoon red food coloring
- ½ teaspoon green food coloring
- Sprinkles or colored sugar, to sprinkle on top after baking
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, and mix until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Add milk if dough is too dry.
- Divide dough into two equal portions. Add red food coloring to one portion, and green food coloring to the other. Mix until colors are fully incorporated. Chill the dough for 30 minutes if too soft to handle.
- Roll each dough portion to about ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Place red dough on top of green dough. Press gently, then roll the dough into a log. Slice the log into ¼-inch thick discs to create a pinwheel swirl pattern.
- Place discs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, until edges begin to turn golden. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
- Sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles on top for a festive finish.
Notes
- Chill dough if it becomes too soft to handle.
- Use different colors for various occasions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg