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Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies are colorful pinwheel sugar cookies made by layering vanilla and red-colored dough rolled together, coated with festive sprinkles.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (includes at least 1 hour chilling and a few hours chilling after rolling)
  • Yield: 4 dozen cookies 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra tablespoons if needed
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup powdered sugar (unsifted)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 sticks (about 10 tablespoons or 113 grams) unsalted butter, cut into chunks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (or food coloring of choice) and/or 1/2 teaspoon extra extract (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups Valentine’s Day colored sprinkles

Instructions

  1. In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix with the paddle attachment on medium speed until blended.
  2. Gradually add the butter while mixing. Then add vanilla extract and continue mixing until the dough forms a smooth ball.
  3. Divide the dough into two equal portions.
  4. Place one portion back into the mixer, add the red food coloring and/or extra extract, mixing until the dough is evenly colored.
  5. Roll out each dough portion between two sheets of wax paper into rectangles approximately 11 x 9 inches and 1/4 inch thick.
  6. Transfer the dough sheets onto baking pans and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
  7. Once chilled, remove the top wax paper sheets. Lightly brush water onto the plain vanilla dough to help layers stick.
  8. Flip the colored dough portion onto the vanilla dough so they are stacked evenly.
  9. Press the edges gently to seal and trim the edges with a knife for neat, straight sides.
  10. Ensure the dough is cold but flexible; roll it jelly-roll style from the long edge to form a swirl log.
  11. Pour the sprinkles onto a large, flat plate. Carefully roll the dough log in sprinkles to coat it completely.
  12. Wrap the dough log tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or freeze for up to three months.
  13. When ready to bake, slice the dough into 1/4 inch thick rounds.
  14. Place slices on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 to 17 minutes or until edges turn golden brown.
  15. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

If dough feels too sticky after adding food coloring, add extra flour by tablespoons until manageable., Rolled dough should be well chilled before stacking and rolling to make handling easier., Trim dough edges after stacking layers to keep swirl pinwheels neat; save scraps for additional cookies., For variation, substitute vanilla extract with mint or almond extract for different flavors., Gel food coloring can be used instead of liquid to avoid adding extra moisture., If dough cracks when rolling, let it warm slightly at room temperature to become pliable before retrying., Gluten-free version possible by substituting flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend; adjust dough texture as needed., Add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts might affect swirl appearance; use sparingly., Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate up to 2 weeks., Freeze baked cookies or dough wrapped tightly for up to three months; thaw before use.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 to 17 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 100 kcal per cookie
  • Fat: 6 g per cookie
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g per cookie
  • Protein: 1 g per cookie