There is something truly magical about holiday baking, and this Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe captures the festive spirit in every bite. These buttery delights boast vibrant red and green swirls that make them irresistible not only to the eyes but also to the taste buds. Perfectly tender with just a hint of sweetness, these cookies bring nostalgic warmth and holiday cheer to your kitchen. Whether you’re gifting them to loved ones or enjoying them with a cozy cup of tea, this recipe is sure to become a treasured tradition year after year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe lies in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each component plays a vital role, creating that perfect balance of flavor and texture while the festive gel colors add a delightful pop to the presentation.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides that rich, creamy base that makes the cookies irresistibly tender.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps with the gentle crispness on the edges.
- 1 large egg: Binds the dough together and adds moisture for the perfect texture.
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with a warm, comforting aroma that complements the butter beautifully.
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour: Gives structure to the cookies, ensuring they hold their shape during baking.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Helps the dough rise just enough for a soft, delicate crumb.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavors.
- Red and green gel food coloring: The secret to creating those iconic and eye-catching holiday swirls.
- Holiday sprinkles (optional): Adds festive sparkle and an extra bit of fun on top.
How to Make Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Start by beating together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it introduces air for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie. Watching the buttery mixture transform is always satisfying and promises delicious results ahead.
Step 2: Incorporate Egg and Vanilla
Next, add in the egg and vanilla extract. These enrich the dough with moisture and signature flavor. Mix until the ingredients meld into a smooth, creamy batter that smells like holiday heaven.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent is evenly distributed and the salt balances the sweetness perfectly. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms—it might seem a bit delicate, but that’s exactly what you want.
Step 4: Divide and Color the Dough
Once your dough is ready, divide it into three equal portions. Leave one plain to represent the creamy butter layer, then add red gel food coloring to one portion and green to the other, kneading gently to achieve vivid, even colors. The gel color is key because it creates bright swirls without weakening the dough.
Step 5: Roll and Layer the Dough
On parchment paper, roll each dough portion into rectangles about ¼ inch thick, making sure they’re the same size to stack evenly. Layer the plain rectangle first, followed by the red, and finally the green. Then, carefully roll the stack into a tight log—this forms the signature swirl effect when sliced.
Step 6: Chill the Dough Log
Wrap your colorful dough log in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step is essential for firming up the dough so the swirls stay defined and slicing is neat and clean.
Step 7: Slice and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice the chilled dough into ¼-inch rounds, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for subtle spreading. If you like, sprinkle holiday sprinkles on top for extra festive charm. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden—this ensures tender centers with slight crisp edges.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and lets the flavors settle, so when you finally take a bite, each swirl tastes as delightful as it looks.
How to Serve Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Though these cookies are stunning as is, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a gentle drizzle of white chocolate can elevate their festive appeal. Holiday sprinkles not only add color but create a joyful crunch with every bite.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with classic holiday beverages for the perfect seasonal snack. Mulled cider, a rich hot chocolate, or even your favorite spiced tea complements the buttery sweetness wonderfully and rounds out the experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies in a clear glass jar tied with a festive ribbon, or stack them on a holiday-themed platter with pine sprigs and ornaments for an eye-catching display. These presentation ideas make the Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe a fantastic gift or centerpiece for your holiday table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This keeps the cookies fresh and maintains their tender texture and festive colors.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough log before slicing for up to one month, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag. When ready, thaw in the refrigerator before slicing and baking. Alternatively, freeze baked cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to preserve their appearance and flavor.
Reheating
If you’d like to enjoy warm cookies, reheat them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked softness without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
Regular food coloring can make the dough wetter and less stable, which might affect the swirl definition and texture. Gel food coloring is recommended to maintain vibrant colors without compromising the dough.
How thick should I slice the dough before baking?
Aim for about ¼ inch thickness. Thinner slices may become too crispy, while thicker slices might not develop that lovely slight crispness on the edges.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can experiment with gluten-free flour blends, but results may vary. Choose a blend designed for baking and keep in mind the dough might need additional chilling and handling adjustments.
Is it okay to skip the sprinkles?
Absolutely! The cookies are delightful on their own, and the sprinkles are just an extra festive touch to brighten them up.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies will stay fresh for about one week at room temperature, making them perfect for making ahead of the holidays.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a celebration of the season captured in buttery, colorful cookies. Sharing these with friends and family guarantees smiles, warm memories, and maybe a new holiday tradition for you to cherish. So, grab your mixing bowl and festive spirit because these cookies are waiting to bring joy to your holiday baking adventures!
Print
Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus at least 2 hours chilling time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus at least 2 hours chilling)
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies are a festive and visually stunning treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft, buttery, and delicately flavored with vanilla, these cookies feature beautiful red and green swirls created by layering and rolling three dough portions tinted with gel food coloring. Finished with optional holiday sprinkles, they bake to golden perfection and offer a delightful crunch with every bite.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Coloring and Decoration
- Red gel food coloring
- Green gel food coloring
- Holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a mixer or by hand until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes a few minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, producing a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring continuously until a soft dough forms without any streaks of flour.
- Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough evenly into three portions. Leave one portion plain, tint one portion with red gel food coloring, and the other with green gel food coloring. Knead each colored dough gently until the color is evenly distributed.
- Roll Dough Rectangles: Roll each of the three dough portions into equal-sized rectangles approximately ¼ inch thick on parchment paper, ensuring uniformity for even stacking.
- Stack and Roll: Stack the rectangles on top of each other in the order: plain, red, then green. Gently roll the stacked layers into a tight log shape, wrap the log securely in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Slice and Arrange Cookies: Remove the chilled dough log from the refrigerator and slice into ¼-inch thick rounds. Place each slice about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Add Sprinkles: If desired, decorate the tops of the cookie slices with festive holiday sprinkles for extra color and texture.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set perfectly.
Notes
- For the cleanest and most vibrant swirls, use gel food coloring and ensure the dough is thoroughly chilled before slicing.
- These cookies freeze well; store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months, making them excellent for holiday gifting.
