Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies

Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies — these charming pinwheel treats with colorful sprinkles on the outside are sure to brighten anyone’s day. They’re perfect for school parties or as thoughtful gifts for neighbors who might need a little extra love this Valentine’s season.

How to make Valentine’s Day Cookies

Yep, these Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies aka red pinwheel swirl cookies are just as fun to make as they are to eat. Don’t worry, they might look fancy but these cookies are surprisingly simple to pull together!

Swirl Cookies

Once you see just how quick and easy these Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies are with the step-by-step pictures, you’ll want to whip them up for every fun occasion. Just switch up the colors to match your celebration, and you’re good to go.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Ingredients

Make sure you print out the recipe below so you can keep it handy for whenever the cookie craving hits!

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Powdered sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter (cut into chunks)
• Vanilla extract
• Red food coloring
• Valentine’s Day colored sprinkles

🥣Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients

• Start by combining the flour, baking powder, salt, and both sugars in your stand mixer bowl. Use the paddle attachment and mix on medium speed until everything is blended nicely.
• Add the butter bit by bit while mixing, then pour in the vanilla extract. Keep mixing until the dough comes together in a smooth ball.

• Take all the dough out and split it into two equal parts.
• Put one half back into the mixer and add your red food coloring.
• Mix until the color is fully blended and you’ve got a bright, even red dough ball.

Step 2: How to Roll out the Cookie Dough

• Roll each dough portion out between two sheets of wax paper with a rolling pin until it measures about 11 x 9 inches and is ¼ inch thick.
• Carefully slide both sheets onto baking pans and pop them in the fridge to chill for at least one hour.

Step 3: How to Combine the Two Cookie Dough Layers

• Once the dough is firm, peel off the top sheets of wax paper from both layers.
• Lightly brush water over the plain vanilla dough with a pastry brush to help them stick together.
• Flip the colored dough gently onto the vanilla dough so they’re stacked evenly.
• Press the edges softly to seal, then trim the sides with a small knife to get straight, even edges.

Step 4: How to Create the Swirl Design

• Make sure your dough is cold but still flexible enough to roll. If it feels too stiff, pop it back in the fridge for a bit.
• Start rolling up the dough from the long edge like a jelly roll to form that classic swirl shape.

Step 5: How to Add the Sprinkles

• Pour your festive Valentine’s sprinkles onto a big, flat plate.
• Carefully lift your dough log and roll it around in the sprinkles to coat it completely.
• Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill it for a few hours—or pop it in the freezer for up to three months if you want to bake later.

Step 6: Baking Instructions

• Slice the dough into ¼ inch rounds and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets.
• Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges start to turn lovely golden brown.

• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes so they set up.
• Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!

❤️ Hit the heart icon in the bottom right corner to save this recipe to your recipe box—so you can find it anytime you want.

If you give these a try, please leave a star rating or a quick review. It really helps me and other home cooks like you!

Substitutions and Variations

This cookie recipe is super flexible—just swap the red food coloring and sprinkles for whatever colors your party or season calls for. It’s a fun way to make these cookies year-round!

Top Tip

• If the dough feels too sticky or “wet” after adding the food coloring, sprinkle in another tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s easier to handle.
• Make sure your rolled-out dough is well chilled before you try to stack and roll it — it makes the whole process way easier.
• After stacking your two dough layers, trim the edges so both are exactly the same size. This makes your pinwheels look perfect. Don’t toss the scraps—they’re great for extra cookies!
• Mix up the flavors by swapping vanilla extract for mint or almond extract—such a nice twist.

Storage Tips

Once baked, store these Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, pop them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They also freeze well—just tuck them into a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best flavor.

Make-Ahead Tips

You can definitely make the dough ahead of time! After you roll and chill the dough log, wrap it well and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, slice straight from the freezer and bake a few extra minutes. The dough can also be made and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking.

Variations

Want to change up these cookies for other celebrations? Swap out red food coloring and sprinkles for different colors—think green for St. Patrick’s Day, pastels for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween. You can also experiment with different extracts like almond, lemon, or peppermint to keep things interesting.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are perfect with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of hot chocolate—especially on a chilly February day. They also make adorable additions to holiday dessert platters or packaged in cute cellophane bags for sharing with friends, neighbors, or your child’s school party.

Recipe FAQs

• Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid? Absolutely! Gel food coloring works great and usually won’t add extra moisture, so you might not need extra flour.
• What if my cookie dough cracks while rolling? If the dough cracks, just let it warm up a tad on the counter for a few minutes before rolling again. Cold dough is easier to handle once it’s pliable, so chilling between steps helps too.
• Can I make these cookies gluten-free? Yes! Substitute the flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Just keep an eye on dough texture and adjust as needed.
• How do I store leftover dough? Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing and baking.
• Can I add chocolate chips or nuts? You can, but it might change the swirl effect. I recommend adding mix-ins sparingly so the dough layers stay easy to roll.