Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies

Here’s a festive and delicious recipe for Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies that are perfect for the holiday season!

Table of Contents

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and salt, and mix until combined. Gradually add the flour, mixing until the dough comes together and is smooth.
Divide the Dough: Split the dough into two equal portions. Leave one portion as is, and add a few drops of red food coloring to the other portion. Mix until the dough turns a vibrant red color.

Shape the Dough: Take small portions (about 1 tablespoon) of each color of dough and roll them into small balls. Flatten each ball slightly with your hands or a rolling pin, then layer them on top of each other. Roll them together into a log, then twist the log to create a swirl effect.
Slice and Decorate: Slice the log into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Gently press colored sugar or sprinkles on top of each cookie for a festive touch.
Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake, as these cookies are delicate.

Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve: Enjoy your delicious Christmas swirl butter cookies with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee!

You can use other holiday sprinkles or small candies to decorate the cookies for extra festive flair.

The dough can be chilled for about 30 minutes before shaping if it’s too soft to handle.

These colorful and buttery cookies are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering!