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Magical Spiral Cookies – A Whimsical Treat Bursting with Color

Magical Spiral Cookies – A Whimsical Treat Bursting with Color

Magical Spiral Cookies are vibrant, colorful treats featuring captivating spiral patterns and a tender, buttery texture. Made with simple ingredients and easy techniques, these cookies are customizable in flavor and color, perfect for festive occasions or cozy afternoons. Enjoy a whimsical baking project that results in visually stunning, delicious cookies that bring joy and brightness to every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

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

Additional

  • Food coloring gels (various colors, as desired)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Start by creaming the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing smoothly. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms.
  2. Divide and Color the Dough: Split the dough evenly into portions based on the number of colors you want. Add a few drops of food coloring gel to each portion and knead lightly until the colors are vivid and evenly distributed, taking care not to overwork the dough.
  3. Create the Spiral Layers: Roll each colored dough portion into even rectangles or logs about ¼-inch thick. Layer the colored dough pieces on top of each other carefully, then use a rolling pin to gently press them into one solid block. Roll the dough block tightly into a spiral log.
  4. Chill and Slice: Wrap the spiral dough log in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough for easier slicing and to preserve spiral patterns.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the chilled log into ¼-inch thick rounds and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are just golden. Let cookies cool on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

  • Chill dough adequately to maintain clean, vibrant spiral patterns and make slicing easier.
  • Use gel food coloring to avoid altering dough consistency while ensuring rich colors.
  • Roll dough layers evenly for a beautiful, defined spiral effect.
  • Avoid overbaking to retain softness and prevent color dulling.
  • Wipe knife between slices for sharp, smear-free spirals.

Nutrition

Keywords: spiral cookies, colorful cookies, whimsical cookies, gluten free cookies, festive treats, baking with kids, vanilla cookies, fun baking projects