Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies are a festive, delightful treat that bring together the classic, rich flavor of butter with a beautiful swirl of red and green, perfect for the holiday season. These cookies are not only delicious but also visually striking, making them an excellent addition to your holiday cookie tray. The buttery flavor, soft texture, and colorful swirls make these cookies a must-bake for anyone looking to add a touch of elegance and cheer to their celebrations.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, a gift exchange, or simply enjoying the festive season at home, Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies are sure to impress. They combine simplicity with beauty and taste, making them the ideal choice for both beginner and seasoned bakers. This guide will walk you through the easy steps to create these cookies, provide tips for the perfect batch, and suggest fun variations to try.

Why You’ll Love Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies

• Rich, Buttery Flavor: These cookies are made with butter, providing that signature rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavor that is synonymous with holiday baking. The combination of butter and sugar creates a soft, tender texture that is simply irresistible.
• Visually Stunning: The vibrant red and green swirls give these cookies a festive look, making them the perfect addition to any holiday cookie platter or gift basket. They’re not just delicious—they’re a work of art!
• Easy to Make: Despite their elegant appearance, these cookies are surprisingly simple to prepare. With just a few ingredients and a little patience, you can create cookies that look like they came from a bakery.
• Versatile and Customizable: You can easily adjust the color scheme or add your favorite decorations, such as sprinkles or edible glitter. You can even swap out the traditional red and green for other festive colors to match your holiday theme.
• Great for Gifting: These cookies make fantastic holiday gifts. Whether packed in a decorative tin or wrapped in cellophane, Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies are sure to be a hit with anyone on your gift list.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
• Servings: Approximately 24 cookies
• Calories per Serving: Around 140-160 calories per cookie, depending on the ingredients and portion sizes.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 140-160 kcal
• Fat: 8-10g
• Carbohydrates: 18-20g
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 10-12g

Ingredients

For the Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Red and green food coloring (gel or liquid)
• Optional: ¼ teaspoon almond extract (for added flavor)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps to incorporate air into the dough, resulting in a lighter texture.

Once the butter and sugar are well-creamed, add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined, making sure the egg is fully incorporated into the butter mixture. If you like a bit of extra flavor, you can also add ¼ teaspoon of almond extract at this point for a subtle, nutty aroma.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. The baking powder helps the cookies rise slightly, creating a light, tender crumb. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough should be smooth and slightly soft but not sticky.

3. Divide the Dough

Once the dough is ready, divide it into two equal portions. You will use one portion for the red dough and the other for the green dough. If you want to create an even swirl effect, ensure that both portions of dough are of similar consistency.

4. Color the Dough

Add a few drops of red food coloring to one half of the dough and green food coloring to the other half. Mix the dough with your hands or a spatula until the color is evenly distributed. If you’re using gel food coloring, you may need to knead the dough a little longer to achieve the desired color. For liquid food coloring, start with a few drops and add more until you reach the desired hue. Remember that the color will deepen slightly as the cookies bake.

5. Roll Out the Dough

Lay a large sheet of parchment paper on your work surface. Take a portion of the red dough and roll it out into a log, approximately 8-10 inches long. Do the same with the green dough, ensuring both logs are about the same size. Once both logs are ready, place them side by side on the parchment paper. Press them together gently, and then roll them into one larger log, making sure the red and green doughs are fully combined but still distinct in color.

6. Create the Swirl Effect

After you’ve rolled the two-colored doughs together, roll the log slightly to make it longer and thinner. Next, twist the dough log gently to create the swirl effect. If you find that the dough is too soft or sticky, refrigerate it for about 15-20 minutes to make it easier to work with.

7. Chill the Dough

Once your dough has been twisted and swirled, wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. This chilling step helps the dough firm up, making it easier to slice into uniform cookies. Chilling also prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.

8. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking. If desired, you can also lightly grease the baking sheet.

9. Slice the Dough

Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and slice it into ¼-inch thick rounds. Place the cookie slices onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1-2 inches apart. The cookies will spread slightly during baking, so leave enough room between them.

10. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should be set, and the colorful swirl should remain intact. Be careful not to overbake, as this can result in dry cookies. For softer cookies, remove them from the oven on the earlier side of the baking time range.

11. Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures that the cookies set properly without breaking or becoming too soft.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies

• Use Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before starting. Cold butter won’t cream properly, while melted butter can cause the cookies to spread too much.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing can cause the cookies to become tough. Mix until just combined, and then stop.
• Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is essential for keeping the cookies from spreading too much and for making the dough easier to slice.
• Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is preferred for these cookies because it creates vibrant, lasting colors without adding extra moisture to the dough.
• Customize the Colors: If you’re making these cookies for a special occasion, feel free to change the colors of the dough to suit the event. Use pastels for Easter or red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July.

Variations of Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies

• Peppermint Butter Swirl Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough for a refreshing minty twist that complements the buttery flavor.
• Chocolate Chip Butter Swirl Cookies: Incorporate ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the dough for an extra burst of chocolatey sweetness that pairs well with the buttery swirl.
• Lemon Butter Swirl Cookies: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor that pairs perfectly with the richness of the butter.
• Christmas Sprinkles: After baking, top the cooled cookies with festive sprinkles, edible glitter, or a light dusting of powdered sugar to make them even more eye-catching.

Storage and Shelf Life

Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored for later. To keep them soft and fresh, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh for about 4-5 days.

For longer storage, freeze the cookies. Arrange the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen cookies can be stored for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, simply place them in the microwave for a few seconds or reheat them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes.

Side Dishes and Pairings for Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies

While these cookies are delightful on their own, pairing them with complementary treats can elevate your holiday experience:

• Hot Chocolate or Coffee: A warm cup of hot chocolate or a freshly brewed cup of coffee is the perfect pairing for these buttery, festive cookies.
• Christmas Punch: Serve the cookies alongside a festive Christmas punch, whether spiked or non-alcoholic, to bring out the celebratory spirit.
• Eggnog or Milk: A glass of rich eggnog or classic milk is the ultimate classic pairing with cookies, offering a perfect balance of creamy richness.
• Fruit Platter: A light and refreshing fruit platter with apples, oranges, and berries offers a nice contrast to the rich and buttery cookies.

Print

Conclusion

Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies are a stunning, flavorful addition to your holiday baking repertoire. With their rich, buttery flavor and festive swirl of red and green, they’re perfect for any holiday occasion. Whether you’re baking them for a party, a gift exchange, or simply to enjoy with family and friends, these cookies are sure to bring holiday cheer to your home.

With simple ingredients, easy-to-follow steps, and helpful tips, you can create a batch of these beautiful cookies that will not only taste amazing but also add a splash of color to your holiday celebrations. Enjoy every bite of these delightful cookies—they’re sure to become a favorite tradition in your holiday baking lineup!