Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe

If you’re ready to wow your family and friends with a plate of stunningly festive treats, Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies are about to become your holiday baking hero. These vibrant red, green, and creamy white cookies are as delightful to look at as they are to eat, combining classic buttery richness with an irresistibly soft, tender crumb. Their beautiful spirals turn any cookie tray into a celebration, and the buttery flavor, enhanced by just a touch of vanilla and almond, feels like a warm holiday hug with every bite. Whether you’re sharing them at a party or leaving out a few for Santa, these cookies deliver holiday magic the moment you slice into them.

Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Holiday baking at its best uses simple ingredients, but each one brings something essential to the cookie’s taste, texture, or dazzling look. Let’s walk through what you’ll need for these Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies—you probably have most of it on hand already!

  • Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened for the lightest, fluffiest cookie base and that classic rich flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: Just the right amount for sweetness without overpowering the buttery goodness.
  • Egg: Binds everything together for a perfectly tender, chewy cookie.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to every bite; don’t skip this classic!
  • Almond Extract (optional): A subtle, nutty note that enhances the festive flavor—try it once and you’ll be hooked.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure for your gorgeous swirls.
  • Baking Powder: A hint of lift to keep your cookies soft but not cakey.
  • Salt: Just a touch to balance the sweetness and enhance the other flavors.
  • Red and Green Gel Food Coloring: Gel works best for vibrant, distinct Christmas colors without thinning your dough.
  • Sprinkles or Sanding Sugar (optional): For sparkle, crunch, and a finished bakery-perfect look.

How to Make Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

Start with your butter at room temperature—truly the secret to picture-perfect cookies. Beat it together with the sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture looks pale, light, and oh-so-fluffy. This aeration is what gives your Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies their irresistibly soft texture. Don’t rush this step; two to three minutes of mixing makes all the difference!

Step 2: Add Egg and Extracts

Once your butter and sugar are creamed perfectly, add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if you’re going for that extra festive boost). Beat these in until your dough looks luxuriously smooth and uniform. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s pale and velvety, almost like cake batter.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures all your leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed so every single bite of your Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies is consistently delicious.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture into your wet ingredients. Mix on low, or gently by hand, until a soft dough forms and there are no streaks of dry flour. Overmixing is the only real “don’t” here—stop when it just comes together for the best texture.

Step 5: Divide and Color the Dough

Here’s where the magic happens! Divide your dough into three equal pieces. Leave one portion plain, then tint the other two with red and green gel food coloring. Knead or stir each until the color is bright and even—a little patience pays off for those bold holiday hues.

Step 6: Roll and Stack

Roll each dough portion between sheets of parchment paper into rectangles about 1/4 inch thick and similar in size. Carefully stack the three rectangles on top of each other—any order works, but alternating the colors gives the prettiest result.

Step 7: Roll into a Swirl Log

Starting from the long edge, roll the stacked dough tightly into a log. Take it slow and use the parchment to help you get a snug spiral. Once you’ve got a gorgeous log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chilling is key for sharp, defined swirls and easy slicing.

Step 8: Slice and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and prep your baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap the chilled dough and slice it into 1/4-inch rounds—a sharp knife makes it easy. Arrange the cookies on your baking sheets, add sprinkles if desired, and bake for 9 to 11 minutes until just barely golden at the edges. They’ll finish setting on the pan as they cool, giving you that perfect texture.

How to Serve Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies

Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

For that extra sparkle and a little crunch, try rolling the edges of your just-sliced dough in festive sprinkles or sanding sugar before baking. After baking, a light dusting of powdered sugar can also make your Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies look like they’ve had a visit from Jack Frost himself. Presentation counts as much as flavor!

Side Dishes

While nothing beats enjoying these cookies all on their own, they shine alongside a mug of hot cocoa, spiced chai, or a creamy eggnog—anything warm and cozy to complement their buttery melt-in-your-mouth goodness. If you’re serving a dessert spread, pair with sliced oranges, peppermint bark, or chocolate truffles for the ultimate Christmas treat tray.

Creative Ways to Present

These cookies were made for gifting and dazzling the eye. Arrange them in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons, stack them in festive holiday tins, or create a plate with alternating red, green, and natural swirls for a charming, Pinterest-worthy centerpiece. They also make adorable toppings for cupcakes or edible Christmas tree ornaments if you tie a ribbon through a small hole made before baking.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies are completely cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and tender for up to a week, making them the perfect make-ahead treat for busy holiday schedules or last-minute guests.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, these cookies freeze beautifully. Wrap the dough log tightly, or freeze the baked cookies layered between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. The dough keeps well for up to 3 months, and you can slice and bake straight from the freezer—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time for freshly baked cookies any time the craving hits.

Reheating

While these cookies are delicious at room temperature, you can revive that just-baked aroma by popping them in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes. This works especially well if you’ve stashed them in the freezer or just want to warm them up for a cozier treat.

FAQs

Can I make Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies dough in advance?

Absolutely! Prepare the dough up to the chilling stage, wrap it tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for longer. When you’re ready, slice and bake as needed—perfect for pacing your holiday prep.

What’s the best way to get vibrant colors without affecting the dough’s texture?

Gel food coloring is your secret weapon! It delivers rich, vibrant hues with just a few drops and won’t make your dough sticky or runny, which is essential for sharp Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies swirls.

Do I have to use almond extract?

Nope! Almond extract adds a lovely holiday note, but if you don’t have it or prefer a more classic butter cookie flavor, you can simply omit it. The cookies will still taste amazing, just a bit more mellow.

Why do my cookies lose their shape or blur at the edges?

The biggest culprit is dough that’s too warm. Make sure to chill your swirl log thoroughly before slicing and baking, and work quickly so the dough stays firm. Colder dough = crisp, defined spirals every time.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! This recipe doubles (or even triples) easily. Split the colored dough into more layers for extra swirly fun, and bake in batches. More Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies is always a good thing!

Final Thoughts

If you want to bring pure joy and a pop of color to your holiday table, these Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies are the ultimate festive treat. Give them a try—your friends and family will rave, and baking them just might become your new favorite holiday tradition. Happy baking!

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Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe

Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 26 reviews

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 35 minutes (plus chilling)
  • Yield: 36 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies are a festive holiday treat that not only look beautiful but taste delicious too. With a buttery vanilla-almond flavor and colorful swirls, these slice-and-bake cookies are perfect for any Christmas gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Plain Dough:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Colored Dough:

  • Red and green gel food coloring
  • Sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  2. Color and Roll the Dough: Divide the dough into three parts. Leave one plain and color the other two with gel food coloring. Roll each color into a rectangle, stack them, roll into a log, wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours.
  3. Bake: Preheat oven, slice the chilled dough, place on baking sheets, add sprinkles if desired, and bake until edges are golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Notes

  • Chill the dough well to make clean swirls and easier slicing.
  • These cookies freeze beautifully—slice and bake straight from the freezer with 1–2 extra minutes of bake time.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus chilling)
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 45mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 13g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

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