Magical Spiral Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Magical Spiral Cookies are a fun and colorful treat that look impressive but are simple to make. With swirls of purple, black, and white dough sprinkled with vibrant decorations, these cookies are perfect for parties or just a delightful afternoon snack.
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
- Step 1: Beat the unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs and milk, then mix until smooth and creamy.
- Step 2: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the bowl. Mix until a dough forms.
- Step 3: Divide the dough into halves. Tint one half with purple gel food coloring. Then divide the other half into two portions, tinting one black with gel food coloring and leaving the other white.
- Step 4: Roll the black dough into a rectangle about 6 by 12 inches.
- Step 5: Roll the white dough into the same size rectangle and place it on top of the black rectangle. Roll lightly to help the layers stick together.
- Step 6: Roll the purple dough to the same dimensions. Sprinkle the purple sprinkles evenly on top, then carefully roll the dough into a log shape to create the spiral effect.
- Step 7: Chill the dough log before slicing into cookies. Bake according to your preferred cookie recipe or until edges are lightly golden.
Tips & Variations
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without affecting dough texture.
- Chilling the dough before slicing helps maintain clean, defined spirals.
- Try swapping almond extract with lemon or orange for a citrus twist.
- For a different look, substitute purple sprinkles with multicolored or themed sprinkles.
Storage
Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed bag for up to three months. To reheat, let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in a low-temperature oven.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use food coloring other than purple and black?
Yes, you can experiment with other gel food coloring shades to create different spiral color combinations based on your preference or occasion.
How thick should I slice the dough log before baking?
Slice the dough log into ¼-inch thick rounds for even baking and a nice balance of crisp edges and soft centers.
Print
Magical Spiral Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 37 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: About 3 dozen cookies 1x
Description
Magical Spiral Cookies are delightful swirled sugar cookies with a beautiful combination of purple, black, and white doughs. These buttery, tender cookies feature a festive purple sprinkle topping for added texture and visual appeal, perfect for special occasions or a fun baking project.
Ingredients
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
Instructions
- Prepare the dough base: Beat the unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add eggs and milk and continue mixing until the dough is smooth and well combined.
- Add dry ingredients and extracts: Incorporate the all-purpose flour, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the wet mixture. Mix thoroughly until a firm dough forms, ready for dividing and coloring.
- Divide and color the dough: Separate the dough into three portions. Tint one half of the dough with purple gel food coloring, then divide the remaining half into black and white portions. Use black gel food coloring to color the black portion accordingly.
- Roll the black dough: Roll the black tinted dough into a 6×12-inch rectangle, ensuring even thickness for an attractive final spiral.
- Layer the white dough: Roll the white dough to the same size and carefully place it on top of the black dough. Roll lightly over both layers to ensure they adhere to each other without mixing colors.
- Roll the purple dough and decorate: Roll the purple dough into a 6×12-inch rectangle, then sprinkle purple sprinkles evenly over the surface. Roll this dough into a log shape, creating the spiral effect in the final cookies.
- Assemble and chill: Although not explicitly mentioned, typically after rolling the log, chill the dough log in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to firm it up before slicing into cookies for even shape retention during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the chilled dough log into ¼ to ½ inch thick slices and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Room temperature butter ensures easy creaming and smooth dough texture.
- Gel food coloring is preferred to avoid altering the dough’s consistency.
- Chilling the dough log before slicing improves cookie shape and prevents spreading.
- Use parchment paper on baking sheets to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Adjust the thickness of cookie slices based on preference; thicker slices yield softer cookies.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: spiral cookies, sugar cookies, colorful cookies, festive cookies, homemade cookies, sprinkle cookies, butter cookies
