Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat, you’re going to adore this Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe. These cookies are a delightful blend of buttery dough, eye-catching red and green swirls, and a sprinkle of holiday cheer literally rolled right in. Trust me, once you try this, your family and friends will be asking for these every holiday season — and you’ll love how effortlessly you can whip them up!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe is in its simplicity—the ingredients blend like a dream for both flavor and texture. I always recommend using good quality vanilla bean paste for the best aroma, and gel food coloring for those perfect, vibrant swirls.

• Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter creams easily and controls salt levels perfectly.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with that lovely tender crumb when creamed well.
• Large Egg: Brings the dough together and adds richness.
• Almond Extract: Adds a fantastic nutty note that pairs perfectly with vanilla.
• Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: Gives warmth and depth—you’ll really notice the difference with good quality vanilla.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base for your cookies, be sure to measure properly for consistency.
• Cornstarch: Helps with tenderness—don’t skip this little secret ingredient!
• Baking Powder: Just a touch to give the cookies a little lift.
• Fine Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Christmas Sprinkles (nonpareils work great): Adds festive crunch and pops of color.
• Red and Green Gel Food Coloring: For that signature swirl without altering the dough texture.

Variations

I love making this Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe my own with a few tweaks depending on the season or mood. Sometimes I swap sprinkles, other times I play around with extracts and even dough colors—this recipe is like a blank holiday canvas!

• Nut-Free Variation: I sometimes switch the almond extract to extra vanilla so everyone can enjoy these without worry—still amazing flavor.
• Color Swap: For New Year’s or birthdays, I replace red and green with blue and silver gel colors; it’s a fun twist that gets compliments every time.
• Gluten-Free Option: Using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you want to keep the soft texture and buttery flavor.
• Sprinkle-Free Version: If sprinkles aren’t your thing, a light dusting of powdered sugar on top after baking adds elegance without extra crunch.

How to Make Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by beating the room temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for a couple of minutes. What you want here is fluffiness—the mixture should lighten in color and feel airy. This step is key for tender cookies, so don’t rush it! I usually use my stand mixer for this, but a hand mixer works great too.

Step 2: Add Egg and Extracts

Once your butter-sugar mix is perfect, add that large egg, almond extract, and vanilla. Mix at medium speed until smooth and fully combined. Scrape down the sides with a spatula to make sure everything gets mixed evenly. The scent at this point will have you excited to continue—it’s such a cozy holiday aroma!

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix In

Next, add your flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt—all sifted or well mixed beforehand—into the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed just until incorporated. You want to avoid overmixing here. The dough should be thick but still pliable. Scrape the bowl a couple times to ensure no flour pockets remain. This part is really satisfying because you’ll start to see the dough coming together beautifully.

Step 4: Divide and Color the Dough

Divide the dough into three equal portions—about 10 ounces each if you want to be precise. Leave one plain (white), then add red gel food coloring to one portion and green to the other. I have to share: gel colors are a total game-changer here. They give vibrant hues without messing with the dough’s texture. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and flatten into thin rectangles—this makes rolling easier once chilled.

Step 5: Chill the Dough for Perfect Roll

Pop those wrapped dough rectangles in the fridge for around 30 minutes or freezer for 10 minutes if you’re in a hurry. If you make the dough a day ahead, just let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before rolling. This chilling step is a lifesaver—it helps prevent spreading when baking and keeps the swirls sharp!

Step 6: Roll Out and Stack

Roll each color onto a piece of plastic wrap until about 7 by 12 inches. On a piece of parchment, stack the three dough layers—green on the bottom, white in the middle, and red on top. Then, gently roll over the stack with a rolling pin to stick the layers together. Trim the edges and cut the long side at an angle to create the swirl’s magic. This angled edge is a neat trick I discovered that makes your spiral look so much sharper.

Step 7: Roll into a Log and Add Sprinkles

Carefully roll the layered dough from the angled edge into a tight log. I find using the parchment paper to guide the roll really saves from dough sticking or tearing. Then, press 1 cup of Christmas sprinkles all around the log on a rimmed baking sheet—it adds that extra holiday sparkle and crunch. Seal the dough seam carefully with your finger.

Step 8: Slice and Bake

Slice the log into 1/3-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife. If your dough softens too much and loses shape, just pop it back in the fridge for 15-30 minutes until firm. Arrange the cookies about an inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment or silicone mats. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12-14 minutes, rotating halfway through for even baking. Pull them out before the edges brown—they need to stay pale for that soft, chewy texture.

Let the cookies cool on the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them firm up perfectly while maintaining softness.

How to Serve Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar or an extra sprinkle of nonpareils on the plate for serving. It adds a little extra festive sparkle without overpowering the beautiful swirls. Plus, it makes the presentation pop when friends come over.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm mug of eggnog, peppermint hot chocolate, or even mulled cider for a cozy holiday afternoon. I like to serve them alongside other holiday favorites like gingerbread or spiced nuts for a Christmas cookie platter that’s sure to impress.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve rolled the cookie logs, sliced, and arranged the rounds on layered cake stands for that wow factor. You can also package them in clear holiday tins layered with parchment paper ribbons as sweet gifts. I once even tied a string around a log and handed them out as last-minute gifts, which everyone loved!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Swirled Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between sheets of parchment paper. They stay soft and delicious for up to five days, perfect for those who bake ahead and nibble for a week after!

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing both dough logs and baked cookies. For dough, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge, then slice and bake as usual. Baked cookies freeze well too—just thaw on the counter and they’re ready to enjoy.

Reheating

If you want to freshen up cookies from storage or freezer, pop them in a warm oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes. This softens them slightly and brings back that just-baked warmth and aroma. Just watch closely so they don’t crisp up too much!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart—there’s something magical about the colorful dough layers and the way the aroma fills my kitchen that instantly puts me in the holiday spirit. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these just as much as I do. Once you try this recipe, it’ll become a festive tradition you’ll look forward to year after year. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and have fun creating memories with these charming holiday treats!

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