Description
Delightful peppermint swirl cookies that capture the essence of the holiday season with vibrant red and white stripes and refreshing peppermint flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract (or to taste)
- Red gel food coloring (a few drops)
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for about 3 to 4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Reduce mixer speed to low. Add the egg and beat until just combined, then add the vanilla and peppermint extracts; mix until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in thirds, mixing only until just combined.
- Divide dough in half, leaving one half plain and adding red gel food coloring to the other half until evenly colored.
- Flatten each ball of dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out one disk of dough (white) into a 12×9-inch rectangle, then repeat with the red dough.
- Layer the white dough on parchment, followed by the red dough, gently rolling to press the two together.
- From the longer side, tightly roll the dough into a log and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Once firm, slice the log into ¼-inch thick rounds, yielding about 48-56 cookies.
- Press one side of each cookie into crushed peppermint candies and arrange them on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden edges appear, then cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
These cookies store well in an airtight container for 5-7 days or can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 105
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: holiday cookies, peppermint cookies, festive baking, dessert recipes