Description

Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies are tender, buttery treats featuring a beautiful red and chocolate swirl pattern. With a perfectly balanced vanilla and cocoa flavor, these cookies offer a delightful texture that’s crisp on the edges and soft inside, making them an ideal sweet gift or celebration snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Coloring

Red food coloring (or natural alternatives like beet powder or freeze-dried raspberry powder)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: Cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in 2 large eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a uniform dough forms.
Divide and Color the Dough: Separate the dough evenly into two portions. Add red food coloring to one portion and mix until the color is vibrant and consistent. Leave the other portion as the plain chocolate dough.
Create the Swirls: Roll each portion of dough into thin rectangles of similar size. Carefully place the red dough on top of the chocolate dough and roll them together tightly into a log, ensuring the colors do not mix.
Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to slice cleanly without losing its shape.
Slice and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the chilled dough log into ¼-inch thick cookies. Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space in between. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain tender.
Cool and Enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy your Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies.

Notes

Use softened butter and room temperature eggs for easier mixing and improved dough consistency.
Chill the dough log thoroughly to maintain distinct swirls and make slicing neater.
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and encourage even baking.
Cut cookies to uniform thickness for consistent baking and to avoid burning edges.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them fresh.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 60mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: Valentine's Day cookies, swirl cookies, chocolate vanilla cookies, red and chocolate swirl, festive cookies, buttery cookies, homemade gift cookies