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Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 56 reviews

Swirled Christmas Cookies are festive, buttery, and delightfully colorful treats perfect for holiday celebrations. These cookies feature layers of red, green, and uncolored dough swirled together with a crunch of Christmas sprinkles coating each slice. They offer a tender texture with a subtle almond and vanilla flavor, making them a great holiday classic that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (226g)
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (250g)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature (56g)
  • 2 tsp almond extract (10g)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (5g)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (390g)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (3g)
  • 1 tsp baking powder (4g)
  • 1 tsp fine salt (6g)

Decorations

  • 1 cup Christmas sprinkles (nonpareils recommended)
  • Red gel food coloring
  • Green gel food coloring

Instructions

  1. Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture lightens in color and becomes fluffy.
  2. Add Egg and Extracts: Add the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. Mix on medium speed until fully combined, scraping down the bowl sides as needed.
  3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together, ensuring not to overmix. Scrape the bowl to fully incorporate all ingredients evenly.
  4. Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough into three equal parts (approximately 10 oz or 305g each). Keep one portion uncolored, add green gel food coloring to the second, and red gel food coloring to the third. Wrap each in plastic wrap, flatten into 1/3 inch thick rectangles for easier rolling, and chill.
  5. Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes, or freeze for 10 minutes. If chilled overnight, let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before rolling.
  6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) about 30 minutes before baking. Line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper and set aside.
  7. Roll Out Dough: Unwrap each dough portion and roll each out on plastic wrap into roughly 7 by 12 inch rectangles. Place stacked dough on parchment paper in order: green on bottom, white in middle, red on top. Gently roll the stack to meld the layers.
  8. Trim and Roll the Log: Trim uneven edges for a neat shape. Cut one long edge at an angle to create a defined spiral effect. Starting from this edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Seal the seam by pressing dough edges together.
  9. Apply Sprinkles: Pour sprinkles on a rimmed baking sheet. Roll and press the dough log into the sprinkles until fully coated.
  10. Slice Cookies: Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 1/3 inch thick cookies. If dough softens, chill log for 15-30 minutes for easier slicing. Place cookies spaced 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
  11. Bake Cookies: Bake one sheet at a time in the center of the oven for 12-14 minutes. Rotate halfway for even baking. Remove when edges are set but not brown, as cookies will firm as they cool.
  12. Cool and Store: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Gel food coloring is preferred as it won’t affect dough consistency.
  • Do not overbake; underbaking slightly ensures tender cookies that crisp as they cool.
  • Use a sharp knife and chill the dough log to maintain neat, defined slices.
  • The spiral effect is enhanced by trimming one edge at an angle before rolling.
  • Cookies can be stored up to 5 days; for longer storage, freeze the dough log before slicing or freeze baked cookies.

Keywords: Christmas cookies, swirled cookies, holiday baking, festive cookies, almond extract cookies

Find it online: https://todayfoodrecipe.com/swirled-christmas-cookies-recipe/