Swirled Christmas Cookie Recipe

If you’re looking to wow your friends and family this holiday season with something truly delightful, you’ve got to try this Swirled Christmas Cookie Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out—soft, buttery, and with that beautiful festive swirl that instantly makes you smile. There’s something magical about mixing the classic flavors of almond and vanilla with those vibrant red and green swirls. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just dipping your toes into holiday cookie making, you’re going to find this recipe easy to follow and incredibly satisfying.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe brings together classic baking staples with a few festive twists, like gel food coloring and sprinkles, to get you those iconic Christmas swirls. Choosing the right butter and extracts can really make the difference, so I’ll walk you through those details.

• Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugar and acts as the base for a tender cookie.
• Granulated Sugar: Gives sweetness and helps with the soft texture when beaten with butter.
• Large Egg: Adds moisture and binds the dough together, so be sure it’s room temperature!
• Almond Extract: Gives those warm, nutty holiday vibes—don’t skip it.
• Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: Deepens the flavor profile with smooth sweetness.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structure of your cookies relies on the gluten here, so stick with all-purpose.
• Cornstarch: Adds a lovely softness by lightening the flour’s texture.
• Baking Powder: Just a touch to help the cookies hold a slight rise without spreading too much.
• Fine Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Christmas Sprinkles: I love nonpareils because they add crunch and extra festive color once baked.
• Red and Green Gel Food Coloring: They concentrate color without adding extra liquid, so your dough doesn’t get soggy.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Swirled Christmas Cookie Recipe is how customizable it is. I’ve tried a few tweaks over the years, and they always bring a new twist to the classic.

• Flavor Swaps: I once swapped almond extract for peppermint extract—totally festive and fresh!
• Color Themes: For a New Year twist, try blue and silver sprinkles instead of the classic red and green.
• Gluten-Free Version: I’ve successfully used a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend with great results when carefully chilling the dough.
• Extra Texture: Adding finely chopped nuts into the dough before chilling adds a lovely crunch.

How to Make Swirled Christmas Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

This is where the magic begins. Beat the room temperature butter and sugar on medium-high speed for a couple of minutes until the mixture lightens in color. This air incorporation is what helps give your cookies that tender crumb. Don’t rush it! Scrape the bowl well to catch every bit.

Step 2: Adding Eggs and Extracts

Next, mix in the egg, almond extract, and vanilla. This combo brings fragrance and flavor to your dough. Keep the mixer at medium speed and incorporate fully. Here’s a tip: Scrape the sides again as you go to make sure you don’t end up with patches of unblended dough.

Step 3: Incorporating Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt while mixing at low speed. You want to just combine everything here—overmixing can make your cookies tough. When it looks just combined, stop and scrape around to catch any stragglers. Your dough should be thick and a bit dense, perfect for shaping.

Step 4: Coloring the Dough

Divide the dough into three even portions. Leave one plain (white), color one red, and one green using gel food coloring. I like to flatten each into a rectangle to chill—it makes rolling out a breeze later. Be consistent with the portions so your swirl is balanced.

Step 5: Chilling the Dough

Chill the wrapped dough for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. If chilling overnight, let the dough warm up for 5 minutes before rolling—it’ll soften just enough to avoid cracking but still be firm enough to roll evenly.

Step 6: Rolling and Stacking the Dough

Roll each dough portion out on plastic wrap to about 7×12 inches. Stack them on parchment—green on bottom, white in the middle, red on top. A gentle roll with a rolling pin helps the layers stick without mixing the colors. Trim the edges for neatness, then slice one long edge at an angle—this slight asymmetry creates a more defined spiral once rolled.

Step 7: Rolling Into a Log and Adding Sprinkles

Using the parchment paper as your helper, carefully roll the dough into a tight spiral log, starting from the angled edge. Seal the seam gently with your finger using some of the green dough to keep it together. Then, roll the log in Christmas sprinkles until fully coated. This step adds fun texture and festive color all around.

Step 8: Slicing and Baking

Cut slices about 1/3 inch thick with a sharp knife. If the log feels too soft or squishy as you cut, chill it for another 15-30 minutes. Space the cookies an inch apart on prepared baking sheets and bake one sheet at a time at 350°F (175°C) for 12-14 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway for even baking and watch closely—the edges shouldn’t brown. Undercooking slightly helps keep the cookies soft and chewy.

Step 9: Cooling and Storing

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack until fully cooled. They keep well in an airtight container for up to five days, though I guarantee they won’t last that long!

How to Serve Swirled Christmas Cookie Recipe

Garnishes

I actually love serving these cookies just as they are decorated—with the sprinkle-coated edges shining bright. But if you want to step it up, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate looks gorgeous and adds a subtle sweetness.

Side Dishes

Pair these with a glass of cold milk for the ultimate nostalgic experience. They also go perfectly with holiday hot chocolate or a cup of spiced chai if you want a grown-up twist.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I love arranging these cookies in spiral shapes on platters to echo the swirl design. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with a festive ribbon makes an easy, charming gift that everyone loves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight tin at room temperature. They stay soft for several days, but I always add a slice of bread inside the container to maintain moisture—it’s a classic, simple trick that really works.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, these cookies freeze beautifully. I freeze baked cookies individually on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They defrost quickly at room temperature without losing their texture.

Reheating

To refresh slightly stale cookies, pop them in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes. You’ll bring back that fresh-baked softness and shine.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Swirled Christmas Cookie Recipe has become a holiday tradition for me, and I love sharing it with friends who want to bring a little extra joy (and color!) to their cookie trays. It’s a recipe that feels festive but is easy to pull together, even on a busy schedule. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find yourself reaching for it every year. So roll up those sleeves, gather your sprinkles, and bake something that makes this season just a little sweeter.

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