Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive, eye-catching treat this season, you absolutely have to try this Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe. These cookies are not only stunning with their vibrant red, green, and white swirls, but they’re super tender and packed with a subtle almond-vanilla flavor that just screams holiday cheer. I love this recipe because it’s perfect for cookie exchanges, gifts, or just impressing your family after dinner. Trust me, once you try them, everyone will be asking for the recipe.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe plays its part in flavor, texture, and that iconic color swirl. From the richness of butter to the zing of almond extract, these components come together beautifully. Pro tip: Invest in gel food coloring to get those bright holiday hues without messing with your dough’s consistency.

• Unsalted Butter: Using room temperature butter is key for creaming properly and creating a tender cookie base.
• Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar creams well with butter for that light, fluffy dough texture.
• Egg: A large, room-temperature egg keeps the dough rich and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Almond Extract: Adds a subtle, festive nutty note you’ll find irresistible.
• Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: Gives depth and warmth to your cookie’s flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, making these cookies sturdy enough to swirl and slice.
• Cornstarch: This little ingredient adds tenderness and keeps cookies soft.
• Baking Powder: Just enough to help the cookies rise slightly without losing that swirl definition.
• Fine Salt: Balances sweetness and sharpens flavors.
• Christmas Sprinkles (Nonpareils): Adds texture and extra holiday sparkle on the outside.
• Red and Green Gel Food Coloring: For those vivid, festive colors without diluting the dough.

Variations

I love how flexible the Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe is—once you’ve got the base down, you can really make it your own. Whether you want to boost certain flavors or make these cookies fit your holiday traditions, there’s room to play.

• Extract Swap: I swapped almond extract for peppermint once, and my family went crazy for the cool, minty twist.
• Sprinkle Types: Try coarse sugar crystals or holiday-themed nonpareils for different textures and looks—I find the classic nonpareils hold the most charm.
• Vegan Modification: You can substitute butter with vegan margarine and an egg replacer; just expect a slightly different texture but still very tasty.
• Double Batch: I sometimes double the recipe and freeze half the dough logs. Super handy when you want a quick festive treat without starting from scratch.

How to Make Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by beating the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar on medium-high speed for a couple of minutes. You’ll notice the mixture lighten in color and get airy—this is key for tender cookies. Don’t rush this step because it really determines your cookie’s texture. If you’re using a stand mixer, scrape around the bowl to blend everything evenly.

Step 2: Mix in Egg and Extracts

Next, add your room-temperature egg along with almond extract and vanilla (or vanilla bean paste if you want to get fancy). Beat on medium speed until fully incorporated, scraping the bowl as needed. This combo gives these cookies their characteristic festive flavor that’s just the right balance of sweet and nutty.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients Gently

Now, add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Keep your mixer on low speed and mix just until everything comes together. Overmixing here can toughen the dough, so this is where I slow down and scrape the bowl carefully with a spatula to get that perfect dough consistency—thick but pliable.

Step 4: Divide and Color the Dough

Once your dough is ready, divide it evenly into three portions. Leave one plain (white), then dye one green and one red using gel food coloring. I like to flatten each portion into a rectangle wrapped in plastic wrap—that way it chills evenly and is easier to roll later. Getting the sizes as equal as possible helps the swirl look balanced, so take a minute here.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Pop the wrapped dough into the fridge for about 30 minutes (or freezer for 10 minutes if you’re in a hurry). This chilling step is crucial—not only does it make the dough easier to work with, but it helps your cookies keep their shape when baking. If you chill overnight, just let the dough sit at room temp for about 5 minutes before rolling to soften slightly.

Step 6: Roll Out and Stack the Dough Layers

Roll out each portion of chilled dough on plastic wrap to about 7×12 inches. This cleanup trick is a game changer—I used to struggle with dough sticking everywhere until I started rolling on plastic wrap! Then stack the dough strips on parchment paper in green on the bottom, white in the middle, and red on top. A gentle roll with a rolling pin helps them stick into one layered sheet.

Step 7: Trim, Cut, and Roll Into a Log

Trim uneven edges with a sharp knife. Then cut one long side at an angle so there’s a bit less red than green on that side—this little trick gives you a sharper, more defined spiral in the final cookies. Carefully roll the dough from that angled edge into a tight log, using the parchment paper to help guide the roll without squishing the layers. Seal the log’s seam with a gentle press of your finger on the green dough layer.

Step 8: Coat, Slice, and Bake

Pour sprinkles onto a rimmed baking sheet, then roll the log on the sprinkles to coat it completely. Use a sharp knife to slice into 1/3 inch thick cookies—if the dough softens and loses shape, pop it in the fridge for 15-30 minutes to firm back up. Place the cookies about 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12-14 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway for even baking and watch closely to avoid browning the edges.

I always sneak an end piece right off the bat—it usually looks wonky, but tastes amazing!

Pro Tips for Making Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe

• Cream Thoroughly: I found out creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy really makes the cookies soft and tender—don’t skip this step!
• Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel keeps colors bright without breaking the dough’s consistency, unlike liquid food coloring.
• Chill, Chill, Chill: Proper chilling prevents spreading and maintains the swirl’s definition through baking.
• Don’t Overbake: These cookies look underdone when you pull them out but firm as they cool, so trust the timing and err on the side of slightly underbaking.

How to Serve Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick to classic Christmas nonpareils as a garnish—they give these cookies their hallmark sparkle and a subtle crunch. If I’m feeling fancy, I might add a light drizzle of white chocolate on top once cooled, which adds a lovely creamy contrast and looks gorgeous.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled cider for a cozy holiday vibe. I also enjoy serving them alongside a cheese board with mild cheeses and nuts for a fun sweet-savory contrast at holiday parties.

Creative Ways to Present

I like stacking these cookies in clear jars tied with red and green ribbons for gift-giving—it shows off the swirls and looks so festive. For parties, arranging them on a tiered platter with fresh pine sprigs adds a rustic, seasonal touch everyone notices.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, usually layered between sheets of parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay fresh and soft for up to 5 days when stored this way—perfect for nibbling throughout the week.

Freezing

If you want to bake ahead, I recommend freezing the dough log before slicing. Wrap it tightly in plastic and foil, then thaw in the fridge overnight before slicing and baking. This little trick helps me manage holiday baking chaos.

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I pop a few cookies in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes—it revives their soft texture without drying them out. Just don’t overheat, or you’ll lose that tender crumb.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Swirled Christmas Cookies Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday traditions to bake and share. The fun of creating those festive swirls, combined with the deliciously soft, almond-vanilla flavor, never fails to bring smiles around my kitchen table. I honestly think you’ll love how impressive these look without needing fancy skills, and your family and friends will rave about them. So roll up your sleeves, get the kitchen festive, and enjoy every bite of this holiday classic!

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