Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies - justalittlebiterecipes.com

Why Make This Recipe

Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies are a delightful treat that brings joy and sweetness to your celebrations. Their vibrant colors and fun design make them perfect for sharing with loved ones. These cookies not only taste great, but they also offer a creative activity that is fun for everyone. Making these cookies is a lovely way to show someone you care, whether it’s for a partner, family, or friends.

How to Make Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups flour (plus possibly a few more tablespoons)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup unsifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter (cut in chunks)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp of food coloring of your choice (and/or 1/2 tsp of any desired extra extracts)
1 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugars with the paddle attachment on medium speed until well blended.
Gradually add the butter into the dry mixture and continue mixing until well combined.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until the dough forms a ball.
Remove the dough and divide it into two equal parts.
Place one portion back into the mixer and add the food coloring and any extra extracts you desire. Mix until the color is spread out evenly.
Roll out each portion of dough between two sheets of wax paper until it measures about 11 x 9 inches and is 1/4 inch thick.
Place both rolled out dough sheets onto a cookie sheet and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
When firm, remove the top sheets of wax paper from both doughs. Lightly brush the uncolored vanilla dough with water using a pastry brush.
Carefully flip the colored dough on top of the uncolored dough so they stack evenly.
Press the edges lightly with your fingertips to seal them together. Trim the edges with a small knife to create straight lines.
Make sure your dough is still cold but flexible. Begin rolling one long side of the dough into a swirl, jelly-roll style.
Pour sprinkles onto a large platter and set aside. Gently lift your dough log onto the platter of sprinkles and roll until coated.
Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap and chill for a few hours or freeze for up to three months.
Slice the dough into 1/4 inch slices and bake on parchment-lined baking sheets in a preheated 350-degree oven for 15 to 17 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown.
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

How to Serve Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies

Serve these lovely cookies on a decorative plate for a charming presentation. Pair them with a glass of milk or hot chocolate for a sweet treat. You can also package them in clear bags tied with ribbons for a cute Valentine’s gift.

How to Store Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can store them in the freezer. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.

Tips to Make Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies

Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for the best dough consistency.
If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour while mixing.
Experiment with different food coloring and sprinkles to match the theme of your celebration.

Variation

You can add chocolate chips or nuts to the dough for extra flavor and texture. Use different holidays’ themed sprinkles to make these cookies suitable for any occasion!