Peppermint Swirl Cookies are the perfect Christmas treat. These delightful cookies are soft and chewy, featuring a festive red and white swirl pattern that makes them a visual treat as well as a delicious one. With a refreshing peppermint flavor, they’re not only easy to make but ideal for holiday gifting, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a hot cup of cocoa during the cozy winter season.

Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Swirl Cookies

There are so many reasons to love these Peppermint Swirl Cookies. First and foremost, they’re a hit at any holiday gathering. The vibrant colors and peppermint flavor make them a festive addition to any dessert table. They’re also easy to make, which is perfect for busy holiday schedules. Plus, they are versatile; you can customize them with chocolate or different extracts. Not to mention, they make wonderful gifts, especially when packaged in a decorative box. The combination of soft, chewy texture and the crunch of peppermint candies adds to their appeal. Whether you’re baking for yourself or others, these cookies are sure to spread holiday cheer!

Ingredients for Peppermint Swirl Cookies

Gather these items:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies (or peppermint candy canes)
Red food coloring (for the swirl effect)

How to Make Peppermint Swirl Cookies Step-by-Step

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix the dough.
Step 6: Gently fold in the crushed peppermint candies, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 7: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one portion and mix until the dough turns a vibrant red. Leave the other portion as is.
Step 8: Take small portions of both the red dough and the plain dough and roll them into small balls. Flatten them slightly with your hands, then stack one red dough disc on top of one plain dough disc. Gently twist the doughs together to form a swirl pattern.
Step 9: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Step 10: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy the festive peppermint flavor!

Pro Tips for the Perfect Peppermint Swirl Cookies

Keep these in mind:

These cookies are ideal for holiday gifting.
They’re great for cookie exchanges.
Perfect cozy snack during the season.
For an extra festive touch, drizzle some icing on top or add sprinkles before baking.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes if it feels too soft to handle.

Best Ways to Serve Peppermint Swirl Cookies

There are several delightful ways to serve these cookies. They pair wonderfully with a warm cup of hot chocolate, enhancing the festive experience. You can also serve them on a cookie platter alongside other holiday treats, such as chocolate peppermint swirl cookies or peppermint candy cane cookies, for a stunning dessert table. For a fun twist, try serving them with peppermint ice cream for a delicious dessert sandwich!

Peppermint Swirl Cookies: 10 Festive Holiday Treats - Peppermint Swirl Cookies - main visual representation

How to Store and Reheat Peppermint Swirl Cookies

To keep your Peppermint Swirl Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to enjoy them later, you can freeze them for up to three months. When ready to eat, simply thaw at room temperature. You can also reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds for that fresh-baked taste!

Frequently Asked Questions About Peppermint Swirl Cookies

What’s the secret to perfect Peppermint Swirl Cookies?

The secret lies in not overmixing the dough and ensuring that the peppermint candies are evenly distributed throughout. This helps maintain the soft texture while enhancing the peppermint flavor, making them some of the best peppermint swirl cookies for Christmas!

Can I make Peppermint Swirl Cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just roll and bake when you’re ready to enjoy these delicious peppermint cookies!

How do I avoid common mistakes with Peppermint Swirl Cookies?

Be careful not to overbake the cookies. They should be soft and chewy. Also, ensure you measure your ingredients accurately for the best results. Following the easy peppermint swirl cookie recipe closely will help you avoid any mishaps!

Variations of Peppermint Swirl Cookies You Can Try

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can create different variations of these delightful cookies. For a chocolate twist, you can add cocoa powder to one of the dough portions to make chocolate peppermint swirl cookies. You can also create vegan peppermint swirl cookies by replacing butter with coconut oil and using a flax egg. Additionally, consider making gluten-free peppermint swirl cookies by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. These variations ensure everyone can enjoy a festive treat!

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Peppermint Swirl Cookies: 10 Festive Holiday Treats

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These Peppermint Swirl Cookies are the perfect Christmas treat. Soft and chewy with a festive red and white swirl pattern, they feature a refreshing peppermint flavor and are easy to make.

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies (or peppermint candy canes)
Red food coloring (for the swirl effect)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix the dough.
Gently fold in the crushed peppermint candies, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Divide the dough into two equal portions. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one portion and mix until the dough turns a vibrant red. Leave the other portion as is.
Take small portions of both the red dough and the plain dough and roll them into small balls. Flatten them slightly with your hands, then stack one red dough disc on top of one plain dough disc. Gently twist the doughs together to form a swirl pattern.
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy the festive peppermint flavor!