There is something truly magical about the holiday season, and nothing captures that festive spirit quite like these colorful, tender treats. The Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe brings together buttery richness, delightful swirls of red and green, and a subtle almond-vanilla aroma that will fill your kitchen with warmth and cheer. Whether you’re baking to gift, share, or simply enjoy with a hot cup of cocoa, these cookies are guaranteed to become a beloved tradition that everyone will look forward to year after year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that combine to create a symphony of texture and flavor. Each component plays an essential role—from the richness of butter to the vibrant gel colors for that perfect swirl effect.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy yet tender structure that holds the cookies together beautifully.
- Baking powder: Adds a slight lift to keep your cookies light and delicate.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors perfectly.
- Unsalted butter: Creates a melt-in-your-mouth richness and tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps achieve a tender texture.
- Large egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture for a soft bite.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with a warm, inviting aroma.
- Almond extract: Adds a subtle nutty note that complements the vanilla beautifully.
- Red and green gel food coloring: Vital for creating those signature festive swirls without altering the dough’s texture.
How to Make Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This step ensures the leavening agent and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout the dough, which helps with texture and flavor balance.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy. This aeration is key to that tender crumb in the finished cookies. Next, add the egg along with vanilla and almond extracts and beat until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Take your time here so you don’t overwork the dough. Aim for a soft dough that’s perfectly pliable—not too sticky or crumbly.
Step 4: Divide and Color the Dough
Split the dough into three equal portions. Keep one plain and color the other two with red and green gel food coloring by kneading until the colors are evenly incorporated. Gel colors are perfect because they give vivid hues without adding extra moisture.
Step 5: Roll the Dough into Rectangles
Roll each of the three dough portions into rectangles about ¼ inch thick. To avoid sticking, place each rectangle on wax paper. This makes stacking and rolling easier and cleaner.
Step 6: Stack the Dough Layers
Carefully place the dough rectangles on top of each other—plain at the bottom, red next, and then green on top. Gently press the layers together so they will hold their swirl pattern when rolled.
Step 7: Roll into a Swirled Log
Starting from one long edge, roll the stacked dough into a tight log. This creates the beautiful swirl effect that makes these cookies so eye-catching. Wrap the dough log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up and make slicing easier.
Step 8: Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Step 9: Slice and Bake
Slice the chilled dough log into rounds about ¼ inch thick. Arrange them spaced about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn just a light golden color, signaling those perfect buttery bites.
Step 10: Cool Before Serving
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step ensures they set properly, ready for you to savor or share.
How to Serve Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an elegant touch, sprinkle a little powdered sugar or finely chopped nuts on top just before serving. You can also dip one side of the cookie in melted white chocolate and let it set for an extra festive flair.
Side Dishes
These cookies are heavenly with a warm beverage like spiced chai, rich hot chocolate, or a classic cup of coffee. They also pair delightfully with creamy eggnog, making your holiday moments even cozier.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe on a festive platter alongside sprigs of fresh pine, cranberries, or mini ornaments for a truly seasonal display. They also make heartfelt edible gifts when packed in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your baked Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This keeps them crisp on the outside and tender inside while maintaining those perfect swirls.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead, slice the dough log and freeze the raw cookie rounds on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake straight from frozen—simply add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To refresh the cookies, warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This helps bring back that fresh-from-the-oven texture and aroma without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use other colors besides red and green?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize your Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe with any gel food coloring that fits your holiday theme or personal preference. The swirl effect looks stunning in any color combination.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
If you don’t have almond extract on hand, you can simply omit it or substitute with an additional half teaspoon of vanilla extract for a different yet delicious flavor profile.
How thick should I slice the dough?
Slicing the dough into ¼-inch rounds is ideal. Thinner slices may bake too quickly and become crisp, while thicker slices might require longer baking and risk uneven cooking.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour, you can enjoy this Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe without gluten. Just check that your baking powder is gluten-free too.
Why do I need to refrigerate the dough log?
Chilling the rolled dough log firms it up, making slicing easier and preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, which preserves that gorgeous swirl pattern.
Final Thoughts
There is pure joy in making and sharing this Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe with loved ones. The delightful colors, buttery flavor, and the sweet aroma filling your kitchen combine to create moments that feel truly magical. I encourage you to bake a batch today and make this festive classic a cherished part of your holiday celebrations!
Print
Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 42 minutes plus 1 hour chilling time
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These festive Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies feature a beautiful tri-color swirl in traditional holiday red, green, and plain butter dough. Soft, buttery, and lightly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, these cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings and gifting.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Additional
- Red gel food coloring
- Green gel food coloring
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Mix dry into wet: Gradually incorporate the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms without overworking.
- Divide and color dough: Split the dough into three equal parts. Leave one portion plain, add red gel food coloring to one portion, and green gel food coloring to the other, kneading each until the colors are even throughout.
- Shape dough layers: Roll each colored and plain dough portion into a rectangle approximately ¼ inch thick. Place each rolled dough sheet onto wax paper to prevent sticking.
- Stack and assemble: Carefully stack the three dough rectangles one atop the other in this order: plain, red, and green. Gently press them together to adhere but take care not to distort the layers.
- Form dough log: Beginning at a long edge, roll the stacked dough layers into a tight log, creating the iconic swirl pattern. Wrap the dough log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
- Slice and bake: Remove the chilled dough log from the refrigerator and slice into ¼-inch thick rounds. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes after baking, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Gel food coloring is preferred over liquid to avoid altering dough consistency.
- Refrigerating the dough log is essential for clean slices and maintaining the swirl design.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies can also be frozen after baking for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
