Magical Spiral Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Magical Spiral Cookies are a fun and colorful treat that bring a whimsical twist to classic sugar cookies. These vibrant purple and black spirals are perfect for parties or a special baking project with kids. Their delightful look matches their buttery, sweet flavor perfectly.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 3½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• Purple gel food coloring
• Black gel food coloring
• Purple sprinkles
• ½ cup black or chocolate sprinkles

Instructions

1. Step 1: Beat the unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2. Step 2: Add the eggs and milk to the butter mixture; continue mixing until smooth.
3. Step 3: Incorporate the all-purpose flour, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until a dough forms.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough into three portions. Tint one portion purple with gel food coloring. Divide the remaining dough into black and white portions, tinting the black one with black gel food coloring and leaving the other plain.
5. Step 5: Roll the black dough into a 6 by 12-inch rectangle.
6. Step 6: Roll the white dough into the same size rectangle and place it on top of the black dough. Roll them gently together so they stick.
7. Step 7: Roll the purple dough into a rectangle the same size, sprinkle the purple sprinkles evenly on top, and then roll the dough into a log shape to create the spiral effect.
8. Step 8: Chill the log before slicing and baking according to your preferred cookie recipe or until firm enough to cut cleanly.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without changing dough consistency.
• Chill the dough logs for at least an hour to make slicing easier and neater spirals.
• Substitute almond extract with lemon or orange extract for a different flavor twist.
• Swap sprinkles for finely chopped nuts or colored sugar for varied texture and appearance.

Storage

Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. If you prefer to freeze dough logs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to one month; slice and bake directly from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to baking time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

Yes, you can skip the food coloring if you prefer natural cookies. The spiral effect will be less colorful but still visually appealing with the contrast between plain and chocolate portions.

How thick should I slice the dough logs before baking?

Slicing the logs about ¼ inch thick typically yields perfectly baked cookies that hold their spiral shape well.

Magical Spiral Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 104 reviews

• Author: Zoe
• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x

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Description

Magical Spiral Cookies are beautifully swirled, buttery shortbread cookies featuring vibrant purple, black, and white colors. Perfectly tender and subtly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, these eye-catching spiral cookies are topped with sprinkles for a festive touch, making them a delightful treat for any celebration or afternoon tea.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 3½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt

Coloring and Decoration

• Purple gel food coloring
• Black gel food coloring
• Purple sprinkles
• ½ cup black or chocolate sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Batter: Beat the room temperature unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a creamy base for the dough. Then add eggs and milk, mixing until completely smooth and well combined.
2. Add Dry Ingredients and Flavorings: Incorporate all-purpose flour, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the butter mixture. Mix thoroughly to form a cohesive dough that’s neither too sticky nor too dry.
3. Divide and Color the Dough: Split the dough into three portions. Tint one half of the dough purple using purple gel food coloring. Divide the remaining half into two portions, coloring one black and leaving one white to create the signature spiral effect.
4. Roll Black Dough: Roll the black-colored dough into a rectangle measuring approximately 6 by 12 inches. Ensure the thickness is even to allow proper layering.
5. Layer with White Dough: Roll out the white dough to the same size as the black rectangle, then gently place it on top of the black dough. Lightly roll over the stacked layers to adhere them evenly without mixing the colors.
6. Roll Purple Dough with Sprinkles: Roll the purple dough to the same 6×12-inch size. Spread purple sprinkles evenly across its surface. Then, carefully roll the purple dough into a log shape, sealing the sprinkles inside the dough.
7. Assemble the Final Spiral: Using the prepared layers of dough, form the large spiral log by carefully rolling the black and white layered dough together with the purple log to create the magical spiral cookie effect. Chill the log before slicing and baking to maintain shape (recommend chilling for at least 1 hour).
8. Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the chilled dough log into ¼-inch thick rounds and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges start to turn lightly golden.
9. Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these visually stunning and delicious magical spiral cookies with tea or coffee.

Notes

• Chilling the dough log before slicing helps maintain the distinct spiral shape during baking.
• Use gel food coloring for vibrant hues without altering dough consistency.
• Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• For an extra burst of flavor, sprinkle some fine sanding sugar on top before baking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Cookies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: spiral cookies, colorful cookies, festive cookies, butter cookies, vanilla almond cookies, holiday treats, decorative cookies