Magical Spiral Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Magical Spiral Cookies are a delightful treat featuring swirls of vibrant purple, black, and classic white dough. These colorful cookies combine subtle almond and vanilla flavors, making them as charming to look at as they are delicious to eat.
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 butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs and milk, then mix until smooth and well combined.
- Step 2: Stir in the flour, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until a dough forms.
- Step 3: Divide the dough into portions. Tint half the dough purple using purple gel food coloring. Divide the remaining half into two parts and color one portion black with the black gel food coloring, leaving the other portion white.
- Step 4: Roll the black dough into a 6 by 12-inch rectangle.
- Step 5: Roll the white dough to the same size and place it on top of the black dough. Roll gently to help the layers adhere without mixing the colors.
- Step 6: Roll the purple dough into the same size rectangle, sprinkle purple sprinkles evenly over it, and then roll the dough carefully into a log shape.
- Step 7: Assemble the layers to create a spiral pattern and bake according to your preferred cookie baking method or follow detailed steps on The Boat Shed Kitchen.
Tips & Variations
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without altering the dough’s consistency.
- Chill the dough logs before slicing to ensure clean, defined spirals.
- Substitute almond extract with lemon or orange extract for a different flavor twist.
- Try swapping sprinkles with mini chocolate chips for added texture.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They also freeze well for up to three months—just thaw at room temperature before serving. To refresh slightly, warm them briefly in the oven.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
Gel food coloring is recommended because it provides stronger color without making the dough sticky or altering its consistency, which can happen with liquid coloring.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Chilling the dough logs before slicing helps the cookies hold their spiral shape and prevents spreading while baking, resulting in cleaner, more beautiful cookies.
Print
Magical Spiral Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: About 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Magical Spiral Cookies are a delightful blend of buttery, tender dough swirled with vibrant purple, black, and white colors, creating a visually stunning treat. Enhanced with vanilla and almond extracts and topped with colorful sprinkles, these cookies are perfect for adding a touch of magic to any occasion.
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
Food Coloring and Decoration
- Purple gel food coloring
- Black gel food coloring
- Purple sprinkles
- ½ cup black or chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare Butter and Sugar: Beat the unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the eggs and milk until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients and Flavorings: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the wet mixture. Combine everything until a cohesive dough forms.
- Divide and Color Dough: Split the dough into halves. Tint one half with purple gel food coloring. Then divide the other half into two equal parts, tinting one portion black and leaving the other white.
- Roll Black and White Dough: Roll the black dough into a 6 x 12-inch rectangle. Roll the white dough into the same size, then place it on top of the black dough and roll lightly to make them adhere.
- Prepare Purple Dough Log: Roll the purple dough into a 6 x 12-inch rectangle. Sprinkle the purple sprinkles evenly over this dough, then roll it carefully into a log shape.
- Assemble Spiral Cookies: Combine the layered black and white dough with the rolled purple dough log to create a spiral effect. Refrigerate if necessary before slicing and baking as per your preferred recipe continuation (refer to the source for full instructions).
Notes
- If the dough becomes too soft, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Use gel food coloring to avoid altering dough consistency.
- Roll dough evenly for neat, uniform spirals.
- Refrigerate the rolled logs before slicing to maintain shape during baking.
- You can substitute black sprinkles with chocolate sprinkles depending on preference.
- For best results, use parchment paper to roll dough and prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Spiral Cookies, Purple Cookies, Festive Cookies, Butter Cookies, Vanilla Almond Cookies, Colored Dough Cookies
