Description of this recipe:
These Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies are festive and fun, featuring a swirl of red, green, and plain cookie dough. With their vibrant colors and buttery taste, these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or as a sweet homemade gift. Not only are they visually striking, but their melt-in-your-mouth texture will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Why you will love this recipe:
- Festive appearance: The red and green swirls add a festive touch, making these cookies a standout on any holiday dessert table.
- Buttery flavor: These cookies have a classic, buttery base with a hint of vanilla and almond extract that enhances the flavor.
- Fun to make: Rolling the dough into swirls is an enjoyable and creative process, perfect for involving kids or adding a personal touch to your holiday baking.
- Versatile: You can customize the colors and even use different flavor extracts if you’d like to match these cookies to any occasion.
- Make ahead: These cookies can be made in advance and stored, making them a great option for busy holiday schedules.
Introduction:
As the holiday season approaches, baking Christmas cookies becomes one of the most beloved traditions in many households. These Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies not only taste delicious but also bring a touch of cheer to your baking repertoire with their festive colors and delightful swirl pattern. The buttery dough, with a subtle hint of almond and vanilla, melts in your mouth, making these cookies a holiday favorite for both kids and adults alike.
These cookies are perfect for cookie platters, gift boxes, or just enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa by the fire. The best part? You don’t have to be a professional baker to make them! With a few simple steps, you’ll create beautiful and colorful swirled cookies that are sure to impress your friends and family. Plus, the dough can be prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient recipe during the busy holiday season.
Ingredients:
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Red and green gel food coloring
Preparation:
Step 1:
Prepare the dry ingredients.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2:
Cream the butter and sugar.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process should take about 2-3 minutes. Then, add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and continue mixing until the ingredients are fully incorporated and smooth.
Step 3:
Combine dry and wet ingredients.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating on low speed just until a soft dough forms. Avoid over-mixing to maintain the dough’s tender texture.
Step 4:
Divide and color the dough.
Once the dough is ready, divide it into three equal portions. Leave one portion plain, and color the other two portions with red and green gel food coloring. Add a few drops of each color to the dough portions, kneading gently by hand until the color is evenly distributed. You can adjust the intensity of the colors to your liking by adding more gel food coloring as needed.
Step 5:
Roll and stack the dough.
Roll out each portion of dough separately between two sheets of wax paper until you achieve a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Layer the plain dough first, followed by the red dough, and then the green dough on top. Gently press the layers together so they adhere.
Step 6:
Create the swirl.
Starting from one long edge of the dough stack, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, creating a swirl pattern. Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps it maintain its shape when slicing and baking.
Step 7:
Preheat the oven.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Step 8:
Slice and bake the cookies.
Once the dough is fully chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Slice the dough log into ¼-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife. Place the sliced cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
Step 9:
Bake the cookies.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake, as you want the cookies to remain soft and tender. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
COOKING Rating:
This recipe is moderately easy, and suitable for beginner to intermediate bakers. Rolling and slicing the dough requires a bit of care, but it’s a fun process and very rewarding once you see the beautiful swirl design.
Serving Suggestions:
These Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies are perfect on their own, but they can also be served alongside a variety of holiday drinks like hot cocoa, mulled wine, or eggnog. For a festive cookie platter, pair them with other holiday favorites such as gingerbread cookies, peppermint bark, or snowball cookies. You can also package them in decorative tins or boxes to give as homemade gifts to family and friends.
Tips:
- Use gel food coloring: Gel food coloring works best for achieving vibrant colors without altering the texture of the dough. Liquid food coloring can add too much moisture, affecting the dough’s consistency.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is essential for maintaining the swirl pattern when slicing the cookies. If the dough gets too soft, it can be difficult to slice cleanly.
- Even layering: When stacking the dough, try to roll out each layer to a uniform thickness. This ensures that the swirl is even and looks neat after baking.
- Keep an eye on the bake time: These cookies bake quickly. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking, as you want the edges to be lightly golden without the cookies becoming too crispy.
- Store in an airtight container: Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to a week, making them a great make-ahead option for holiday parties.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Nutritional Information (Approximate per cookie, based on 24 servings):
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Protein: 1g
- Sodium: 50mg
Conclusion:
These Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies are a delightful addition to your holiday baking. Their festive red and green swirls add a pop of color to any cookie tray, while their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture makes them irresistible. With a simple dough that’s easy to work with and plenty of room for customization, this recipe is a must-try for the holiday season. Whether you’re baking for a family get-together, a cookie exchange, or just to have a sweet treat on hand, these cookies are sure to be a hit.
FAQs:
1. Can I freeze the dough before baking?
Yes, you can freeze the dough log for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight, then slice and bake as directed.
2. Can I substitute the almond extract?
If you’re not a fan of almond extract, you can substitute it with additional vanilla extract or try other flavorings like peppermint or lemon for a different twist.
3. Why is chilling the dough important?
Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their swirl shape during baking. It also firms up the butter, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
4. Can I use different food coloring?
Absolutely! You can use different colors to match other holidays or themes. For example, try pastel colors for Easter or orange and black for Halloween.
5. How can I store these cookies?
Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
