Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies

Christmas swirl butter cookies have become my favorite way to bring a little holiday magic into our kitchen every December. These festive Christmas cookies are easier to make than you might think, with just seven simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and the entire process—prep, chilling, and baking—can be completed in just under two hours. This classic butter cookies recipe delivers soft, buttery treats that are perfect for sharing at winter gatherings, adding a cheerful and homemade touch to any Christmas celebration.

My whole family requests these every year because there is nothing like biting into a homemade Christmas swirl butter cookie with a mug of cocoa on a chilly night. The nostalgia of holiday baking comes alive as we roll out vibrant dough and watch those beautiful swirls appear with each slice. Whether it is the classic vanilla or a triple swirl with extra colors, these festive butter cookies become a centerpiece on our December cookie trays and are always the first to vanish at gatherings.

Gather Your Ingredients

• All purpose flour (for Christmas swirl butter cookies): Brings the essential structure for tender cookies, creating a classic bite; use regular or a reliable gluten free blend if needed
• Baking powder: Provides subtle lift for a light, crumbly texture; choose aluminum free for the purest flavor
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances butter’s richness; fine sea salt dissolves quickly for even flavor
• Unsalted butter, softened: The star of this butter cookies recipe, delivering rich, melt in your mouth texture—European style butter gives the best depth, but plant based works for dairy free
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create the classic silky crumb; fine baking sugar is ideal but regular works too
• Large egg: Adds moisture and binds the dough for easy rolling and slicing; use room temperature for even mixing
• Vanilla extract: Deepens aroma and brings warmth; pure extract makes a noticeable difference, or swap almond for a new twist

How to Make Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies

Mix the dry ingredients for classic cookie texture:

Whisk together all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until no visible streaks remain. This step ensures the dry ingredients are fully blended, which leads to even rising and delicate crumb in the final swirl butter cookies. Take an extra minute to aerate for the lightest result.

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy and pale:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for about three to four minutes, until the mixture becomes pale and increases in volume. Proper creaming is key for tender, melt in your mouth texture in Christmas swirl butter cookies. Add in large egg and vanilla extract, beating on low until just combined and silky smooth.

Combine wet and dry for a smooth dough:

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low and scraping down the sides as needed. When dough is mostly combined, switch to a spatula or gently use your hands to bring it together into a cohesive mass. Avoid overworking for extra tender cookies.

Divide and color dough for festive swirls:

Split dough evenly in two. For classic red and white Christmas cookies, knead red gel food coloring into one half until evenly colored. For other variations, you can use cocoa powder or green food coloring as desired, taking care to mix just until color is uniform.

Roll and stack for spiral shape:

Roll each half of dough between parchment to rectangles about one quarter inch thick. Place colored layer on top of plain, press gently to remove air bubbles, then peel off top parchment. Starting from a long edge, roll tightly into a log for distinct swirls, wrap in plastic to avoid flattening.

Chill dough log to set pattern:

Chill wrapped dough log in the refrigerator for at least one hour or up to overnight. Chilling ensures sharp, defined swirls and easy slicing, and prevents spreading during baking. Dough should feel very firm, like modeling clay, before continuing.

Slice and bake for golden edges:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 Celsius and line baking sheets with parchment. Slice chilled dough into twenty, quarter inch thick cookies using a sharp serrated knife, rotating the log every few slices to maintain round shape. Bake ten to twelve minutes until edges turn pale gold. Rotate pans once midway for even baking, and cool on the sheet for five minutes before transferring to wire racks.

Cool and serve for best flavor and texture:

Allow cookies to cool completely on a rack so the butter and vanilla aroma intensifies and the crumb sets. Serve fresh or store for later—these Christmas swirl butter cookies look stunning and stay soft and delicious for days.

Last Christmas, I tried swapping in almond extract and the cookies vanished faster than ever. Nothing starts December in my house like the sweet smell of Christmas swirl butter cookies coming out of the oven as we gather around in our pajamas. Every batch is a new memory, especially when my kids help pick the swirl colors or shape the dough, making these cookies a true family tradition.

Smart Swaps and Variations

If you want chocolate Christmas swirl butter cookies, simply mix a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder into half of the dough for a chocolate vanilla twist that is equally festive. For extra color, dye one portion red and another green before stacking and rolling to create beautiful multi color swirls perfect for a December party tray. Dairy free bakers can use plant based buttery sticks, and for gluten free, substitute an equal amount of one to one gluten free baking blend—just be sure to chill the dough extra firm for best slicing. A sprinkle of sanding sugar before baking adds sparkle and crunch for a standout presentation.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies

Store cooled cookies in a completely airtight container at room temperature for up to seven days, separating each layer with parchment to preserve their pretty swirls. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies or tightly wrapped dough logs for up to three months; pre sliced dough can be baked straight from the freezer. To refresh, warm cookies in a 300 degree Fahrenheit oven for three to five minutes until just fragrant and lightly crisp again.

What to Serve with Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies

Partner Christmas swirl butter cookies with steaming mugs of spiced mulled wine or rich hot cocoa for cozy evenings, or arrange alongside classic Danish butter cookies, gingerbread, and tea cakes on a festive holiday platter. For dessert tables, stack them high on a tiered stand beside chocolate dipped spritz cookies and sugar dusted s’mores bars for a picture perfect Christmas party display. They also make elegant gifts when packed in decorative tins or clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon.

Nutritional Benefits

Butter cookies like these are naturally vegetarian, free of artificial flavors and preservatives, and deliver wholesome fats from real butter without trans fats. Each cookie has only about thirty five calories depending on size, so they can be enjoyed as an occasional treat in moderation. While not allergen free by default, this butter cookies recipe is simple to adapt to gluten free or dairy free lifestyles with smart ingredient swaps, making it inclusive and easy to share at festive gatherings.

Recipe Success Tips

If your Christmas swirl butter cookies spread too much, make sure your dough is sufficiently chilled and avoid placing them on hot baking sheets. For sharp, defined swirls, slice cookies with a sharp serrated knife, spinning the log gently after each cut to keep rounds even. If your edges look rough or you see cracks when rolling, let the dough warm up for a minute at room temperature, then gently press together before rerolling for smoother spirals.

These Christmas swirl butter cookies have become our family’s favorite holiday baking tradition and deliver bakery quality results with very little stress. Give them a try this season and your holiday cookie tray will look and taste unforgettable.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ How do you achieve the swirl pattern in these cookies?

The swirl pattern is made by layering and stacking differently colored doughs, then rolling the stack into a log before chilling and slicing.

→ Why is chilling the dough important?

Chilling helps the cookies keep their shape and ensures the swirl pattern remains distinct when sliced and baked.

→ Can these cookies be made ahead of time?

Yes, the dough log can be prepared ahead and kept in the fridge or freezer until ready to bake, making them convenient for busy holidays.

→ What can be used as a substitute for vanilla extract?

Almond extract is a common alternative, or you can try citrus zest for a different flavor accent in the dough.

→ Do these cookies need to be decorated after baking?

No extra decoration is needed; their colorful swirls stand out on their own, but sprinkles can add extra holiday cheer if desired.