Festive Swirled Holiday Cookies

Indulge in the magic of the holiday season with these enchanting Swirled Christmas Cookies. These showstoppers are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes with their vibrant red and green swirls and festive sprinkle edges. I first started making these cookies to add a special touch to our holiday celebrations, and now they’re a beloved tradition in our home, spreading joy and cheer with every delicious bite.

Crafted with care and simple ingredients, these Swirled Christmas Cookies are a delightful balance of buttery softness, chewy centers, and a subtle crunch from the colorful sprinkles. The secret lies in the real almond extract, room temperature butter, and gel food coloring that ensure the cookies not only look stunning but also taste divine. Whether you’re baking them for a cookie exchange, gifting them to loved ones, or simply enjoying them with a cup of hot cocoa, these cookies are sure to bring a touch of Christmas magic to your festivities.

With every swirl and sprinkle, these cookies embody the spirit of the holidays, making them a perfect addition to your festive baking repertoire. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let’s create some sweet memories with these Swirled Christmas Cookies that are bound to become a cherished tradition in your home too.

Quick Benefits

• Visual Appeal: These cookies are showstoppers with vibrant colored swirls and festive sprinkles, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or gift boxes.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: The baked cookies can be stored for up to 5 days at room temperature or frozen for a month, and the dough can be refrigerated or frozen for convenience.
• Versatile and Customizable: The recipe offers flexibility to adjust ingredients for dietary preferences or customize colors for different holidays, ensuring these cookies can be enjoyed year-round.
• Family-Friendly Activity: Making these cookies is a fun family activity, perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen and creating lasting memories together.

Why You’ll Love This Festive Swirled Holiday Cookies Recipe

• Showstopping Appearance: These cookies are visually stunning with vibrant red and green swirls and a festive sprinkle edge, making them perfect for holiday celebrations and cookie exchanges.
• Delicious Texture: The buttery dough results in cookies that are soft, chewy in the center, and slightly crisp on the edges, providing a delightful texture with every bite.
• Easy to Make: Despite their impressive appearance, these cookies are easier to make than they look, making them a perfect treat during busy holiday seasons.
• Versatile Ingredients: You can customize the recipe based on dietary preferences or allergies, such as using vegan butter or switching almond extract for vanilla to suit different needs.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: These cookies can be made ahead of time and stored for up to a week in an airtight container or frozen for a month, allowing you to plan for holiday gatherings or unexpected guests.
• Family-Friendly Activity: Involving kids in the baking process and watching the colorful swirls come together can be a fun and memorable family activity during the holiday season.
• Perfect for Gifting: These cookies are ideal for gifting in festive tins or boxes, making a thoughtful and visually appealing homemade present for friends and family.
• Adaptable for Any Occasion: While great for Christmas, you can customize the colors for different celebrations like Easter, Valentine’s Day, or graduation parties, offering a versatile recipe for various events.
• Creating Special Moments: Making and sharing these cookies can create lasting memories, whether it’s teaching kids to bake, seeing friends enjoy the treats, or sharing them at gatherings to bring people together.

Ingredients for Festive Swirled Holiday Cookies

• Large egg, room temp (1).
• Granulated sugar (1 1/4 cups/250g).
• Vanilla bean paste or extract (1 teaspoon).
• Fine salt (1 teaspoon).
• Cornstarch (1 teaspoon).
• Red gel food coloring.
• Green gel food coloring.
• All-purpose flour (3 cups/390g).
• Baking powder (1 teaspoon).
• Christmas nonpareil sprinkles (1 cup).
• Almond extract (2 teaspoons).
• Unsalted butter, room temp (1 cup/226g).

Pro Tips for Festive Swirled Holiday Cookies

For the perfect swirled Christmas cookies, make sure to cream the butter and sugar well for a great texture. Gel food coloring is ideal for vibrant colors without affecting the dough consistency. Keeping the dough cold while slicing will help maintain those beautiful swirls. Additionally, cutting one edge at an angle before rolling will create a cleaner spiral, and using parchment paper to roll the dough tightly will help seal the seam.

To store these cookies, you can keep baked ones at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze them for a month. The dough can be stored in the fridge for 2 days or frozen for up to a month. Feel free to customize the colors for any holiday or occasion using gel food coloring for the best results. These cookies are perfect for gifting and can be presented beautifully in holiday tins lined with festive paper, making them a special homemade treat for loved ones.

How to Make Festive Swirled Holiday Cookies

Step 1: Step 01

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

Step 2: Step 02

Combine egg, almond extract, and vanilla until mixed.

Step 3: Step 03

Mix together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until combined.

Step 4: Step 04

Divide the mixture into three equal parts. Leave one part plain and color the other two parts red and green.

Step 5: Step 05

Roll each color thinly, stack them, and roll into a spiral log.

Step 6: Step 06

Roll the log in nonpareil sprinkles to coat the outside.

Step 7: Step 07

Slice the dough into 1/3 inch slices and bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes.

Storage Tips

Once you’ve baked these delightful Swirled Christmas Cookies, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Additionally, you have the option to freeze the baked cookies for up to a month for longer storage. When it comes to the dough, it can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days or frozen for up to a month. If you choose to freeze the dough, remember to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before slicing for best results.

When making these cookies, using gel food coloring is recommended as it provides vibrant colors without altering the dough’s consistency. Liquid food coloring can make the dough too soft and might not give you the desired bright hues. For a cleaner swirl effect, try cutting one edge of the dough at an angle before rolling and use parchment paper to help roll the dough tightly. If the dough becomes too soft to handle, simply chill it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to firm it up. Feel free to customize the colors of these cookies to suit any holiday or special occasion by using different gel food coloring shades.

Ingredient Substitutions

For a dairy-free option, you can substitute the unsalted butter with plant-based butter. Make sure it is at room temperature for easy incorporation into the dough.

If you need to make nut-free cookies, you can replace the almond extract with additional vanilla extract. This adjustment will still provide a lovely flavor profile without the use of nuts.

To cater to different color preferences or occasions, feel free to switch out the red and green gel food coloring with other shades suitable for the event. Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant colors without compromising the dough’s consistency.

Serving Suggestions

For a creative serving idea, try arranging these Swirled Christmas Cookies in a clear glass cookie jar with a festive ribbon tied around the lid. This not only showcases the beautiful colors and swirls but also makes a lovely edible decoration for your kitchen or dining table during the holiday season.

Another fun way to serve these cookies is to stack them on a tiered dessert stand alternating with colorful holiday-themed decorations like mini ornaments or tiny pine cones. This creates a stunning and eye-catching display that will surely impress your guests at any Christmas party or gathering.

FAQs for Festive Swirled Holiday Cookies

Can I store these Swirled Christmas Cookies?

Yes, you can store baked cookies for up to 5 days at room temperature or freeze for a month. The dough can be refrigerated for 2 days or frozen for up to a month.

Why is gel food coloring recommended over liquid coloring for these cookies?

Gel food coloring creates brighter colors without affecting the dough consistency. Liquid coloring can make the dough too soft and won’t give as vibrant results.

Any tips for creating cleaner swirls when rolling the dough?

Cut one edge at an angle before rolling to create a cleaner spiral. Use the parchment paper to help roll the dough tightly and seal the seam with the green dough.

What should I do if the dough becomes too soft to handle?

If the dough becomes too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes until firm enough to work with again.

Conclusion

As you embark on your Swirled Christmas Cookies baking adventure, remember that these treats are not just about the delicious flavors and stunning appearance; they are about creating lasting memories with your loved ones. Whether you’re making them for a cookie exchange, gifting them in beautiful tins, or simply enjoying them at home, these cookies have a way of bringing people together and spreading holiday cheer.

The versatility of these Swirled Christmas Cookies allows you to tailor them to any occasion throughout the year, making them a delightful treat any time. So, gather your ingredients, get creative with your colors, and let the magic of these swirled delights brighten up your festivities. Happy baking, and may your Swirled Christmas Cookies bring joy and smiles to all who indulge in them!