Description

Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies are delightful, tender cookies featuring a playful marbled design with a perfect balance of vanilla and strawberry or chocolate flavors. Easy to make with pantry staples, these cookies are ideal for gifting, sharing, or treating yourself during the festive season.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3–5 drops red or pink food coloring
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

Optional Ingredients

2 tablespoons cocoa powder (for chocolate swirl variation)
Raspberry extract (for fruity twist)
Dairy-free butter substitute (for nut-free version)
Oat flour or almond/gluten-free flour blend (for gluten-free option)
Natural sweeteners like erythritol or monk fruit (for sugar-free version)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: Cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
Divide and Color the Dough: Split the dough evenly into two bowls. Leave one half plain vanilla and add a few drops of red or pink food coloring to the other half, kneading gently until the color is fully incorporated.
Create the Swirls: Roll each colored dough portion into a flat rectangle of equal size. Place one rectangle on top of the other, then gently roll them together to form layers. Carefully slice the stacked dough into strips, twist the strips lightly, and roll into cookie shapes or log forms.
Chill the Dough: Wrap the shaped dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up, helping to maintain the swirl shape during baking.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the chilled dough into ½-inch thick cookies. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Notes

Use cold butter to help the dough hold its shape better.
Mix just until ingredients are combined to keep cookies tender.
Roll dough sheets to an even thickness for uniform baking.
Chill dough thoroughly so swirls remain distinct after baking.
Use parchment paper on baking sheets to prevent sticking and promote even baking.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 150
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 70mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: Valentine's Day cookies, swirl cookies, marbled cookies, vanilla cookies, strawberry cookies, chocolate swirl, festive cookies, homemade gift cookies