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Hocus Pocus Swirl Halloween Cookies – Easy Pinwheel Party Treats

Hocus Pocus Swirl Halloween Cookies - featured image
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These Hocus Pocus Swirl Halloween Cookies are buttery, soft pinwheel cookies with vibrant swirls and festive sprinkles—perfect for Halloween parties, classroom treats, or a magical movie night. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, they’re as fun to bake as they are to eat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or substitute with almond extract)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • Gel food coloring in purple, orange, and green
  • Halloween-themed sprinkles
  • Coarse sanding sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
  2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. If the dough is too crumbly, add a teaspoon of milk.
  5. Divide the dough evenly into three bowls. Add gel food coloring to each (purple, orange, and green) and mix until evenly colored.
  6. Wrap each colored dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough color into a rectangle (about 8×6 inches, 1/4 inch thick). Stack the rectangles, gently pressing to adhere. Use a rolling pin to even out the layers if needed.
  8. Starting from the long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for another 15-30 minutes.
  9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the dough log and slice into 1/4-inch rounds with a sharp knife. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving 1 inch between each. Top with Halloween sprinkles and sanding sugar as desired.
  10. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are just set and centers look slightly soft. Rotate the tray halfway through if needed.
  11. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Chill the dough twice for the cleanest swirls. Use gel food coloring for bold colors. If the dough cracks while rolling, patch gently—imperfections add charm. For gluten-free or dairy-free adaptations, use 1:1 gluten-free flour or plant-based butter. Cookies can be frozen before or after baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cookies, swirl cookies, pinwheel cookies, party treats, easy Halloween dessert, kid-friendly, colorful cookies, butter cookies, holiday baking, festive cookies

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/hocus-pocus-swirl-halloween-cookies-easy-pinwheel-party-treats/