Peppermint Swirl Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Peppermint Swirl Cookies are a festive and delightful treat that combines the refreshing flavor of peppermint with a buttery cookie base. Their beautiful red and white swirl makes them perfect for holiday celebrations or any time you want a fun, seasonal cookie.

Ingredients

• 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Red gel food coloring
• Coarse sugar or crushed peppermint candies for coating

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract, mixing until combined.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed until just combined.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough in half. Leave one half plain and color the other half with red gel food coloring, mixing until the color is uniform.
5. Step 5: Wrap both dough halves in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
6. Step 6: Roll out each dough half into rectangles about 10 by 12 inches and 1/4 inch thick.
7. Step 7: Layer the red dough on top of the plain dough, then roll tightly into a log. Chill again for at least 2 hours.
8. Step 8: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
9. Step 9: Brush the chilled log with water or a whisked egg white, then roll it in coarse sugar or crushed peppermint candies. Slice into rounds and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring to avoid adding extra liquid to the dough, which can affect texture.
• For extra peppermint flavor, add a few drops of peppermint extract to the coarse sugar or crushed candies used for coating.
• If you prefer a milder peppermint taste, reduce the peppermint extract to 1/2 teaspoon.

Storage

Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep the dough, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat cookies gently in a low oven or microwave to refresh before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other food colorings besides red?

Yes, you can use any gel food coloring to create different color swirls. Just be sure to use gel or paste colors to avoid making the dough too wet.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make gluten-free peppermint swirl cookies, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking, and ensure your baking powder is gluten-free.

Peppermint Swirl Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 56 reviews

These Peppermint Swirl Cookies are a festive and flavorful treat perfect for the holiday season. Featuring a delightful combination of vanilla and peppermint flavors, this recipe creates a beautiful red and white swirl pattern that is both eye-catching and delicious. The cookies have a tender, buttery texture with a hint of minty freshness, enhanced by a crunchy coating of coarse sugar or crushed peppermint candies.

• Author: Sienna
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: About 30 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Additional

• Red gel food coloring
• Coarse sugar or crushed peppermint candies for coating

Instructions

1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Egg and Extracts: Add the large egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix well until completely combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
5. Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough in half. Leave one half plain and add red gel food coloring to the other half, mixing until the color is uniform.
6. Chill Dough: Wrap each half of dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
7. Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough half into rectangular shapes about 10 by 12 inches and about 1/4 inch thick.
8. Form the Swirl: Place the red dough rectangle on top of the plain dough rectangle. Carefully roll them together tightly into a log. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill again for at least 2 hours to firm up further.
9. Prep for Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
10. Coat and Slice: Lightly brush the chilled dough log with water or whisked egg white. Roll it in coarse sugar or crushed peppermint candies to coat the outside. Slice the log into 1/4 inch thick rounds.
11. Bake: Place cookie slices onto the prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges start to lightly brown.
12. Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Using red gel food coloring provides a vibrant color without affecting dough consistency.
• Chilling the dough is essential for clean slices and maintaining the swirl shape.
• Coating the log with crushed peppermint candies adds a lovely crunch and extra peppermint flavor.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.

Keywords: Peppermint swirl cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies, peppermint extract cookies, swirl cookies, Christmas cookies, peppermint candy cookies