Description
Bring festive cheer to your kitchen with these Swirled Christmas Cookies—a colorful, buttery treat that’s as delicious as it is beautiful. With vibrant red and green spirals, a soft sugar cookie base, and a touch of sparkle from sanding sugar, these cookies are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, easy dessert trays, or sweet Christmas gift boxes. Great for holiday baking with kids or making ahead for parties, these easy cookies are ideal for anyone searching for quick Christmas baking ideas, festive treats, or holiday dessert inspiration.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Red gel food coloring
Green gel food coloring
1/4 cup sanding sugar (red, green, or white)
Instructions
1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
3. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract, beating until combined.
4. Gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined.
5. Divide the dough into three equal parts: leave one plain, tint one red, and the other green.
6. Roll each portion into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle between parchment sheets. Chill 30 minutes.
7. Stack the dough layers (white, red, then green), press lightly, trim, and roll into a log.
8. Wrap the log in parchment and chill for 2+ hours or freeze for 30–45 minutes.
9. Roll chilled log in sanding sugar.
10. Slice into 1/4-inch rounds using a serrated knife and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
11. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9–11 minutes until just golden at the edges.
12. Cool 5 minutes on the tray, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
Always use gel food coloring—not liquid—to prevent changing the dough texture.
Chill the dough thoroughly before rolling, slicing, and baking to help maintain the shape.
A serrated knife ensures clean swirl cuts; avoid pressing down with a straight blade.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: swirled Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies, pinwheel cookies