Print

Peppermint Swirl Cookies

peppermint swirl cookies - featured image
Print Recipe

Festive peppermint swirl cookies with vibrant red-and-white ribbons and a cool minty kick, perfect for Christmas gatherings, gifting, or cozy holiday baking. Easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and full of nostalgic comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ tsp peppermint extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Red gel food coloring
  • Optional: Green gel food coloring
  • Optional: Crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
  • Optional: White chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Beat until fully combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
  4. Divide the dough in half. Place one half in a separate bowl and add a few drops of red gel food coloring. Knead gently until the color is even. Optionally, color a small portion with green gel food coloring.
  5. On parchment paper, pat each dough half into a rectangle (about 8″ x 10″). Layer the colored dough over the plain dough. Gently roll together into a log, about 10″ long. Twist for more dramatic swirls if desired.
  6. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  8. Unwrap the chilled dough and slice into ¼” thick rounds. Place 2″ apart on the prepared baking sheet. Optionally, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set and bottoms just begin to turn golden.
  10. Remove cookies from oven and let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Optionally, drizzle with melted white chocolate once cooled.

Notes

Chill the dough log before slicing for crisp swirls. Use gel food coloring for vibrant color. Slice cookies evenly for best results. Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread or marshmallow to keep cookies soft. Dough can be made ahead and frozen for convenience. Gluten-free and vegan adaptations work well.

Nutrition

Keywords: peppermint swirl cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday baking, festive treats, mint cookies, easy cookies, swirl cookies, cookie recipe, edible gifts

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/peppermint-swirl-cookies-recipe-easy-christmas-treats-for-festive-gatherings/