Love swirl sugar cookies are a colorful, fun, and sweet treat that combines classic sugar cookie dough with beautiful, swirled shades of pink, red, and white. I love how they look like little edible valentines—perfect for holidays, gifts, or just when I want to bake something cheerful and soft.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookies aren’t just pretty—they’re soft, buttery, and melt in my mouth with every bite. I like that the dough is easy to work with and the swirls make them look fancy without much effort. They’re a hit with friends and family, and I can get creative with the colors depending on the theme or occasion.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Unsalted butter
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Granulated sugar
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Egg
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Vanilla extract
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Almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
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All-purpose flour
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Baking powder
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Salt
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Food coloring (red and pink)
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Sprinkles (optional, for rolling)
Directions
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I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line my baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, I cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
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I beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if I’m using it.
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In a separate bowl, I whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt.
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I gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
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I divide the dough into 2 or 3 equal parts and tint each with food coloring (one red, one pink, one uncolored).
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I roll each color into long ropes and gently twist them together, then roll them into a log.
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I slice the log into cookies or roll and slice into spirals for a more dramatic swirl.
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I place the cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges are set.
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I let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the pan before transferring them to a wire rack.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 24 cookies. Prep time takes around 20 minutes, and baking time is about 8–10 minutes per batch. I give them another 10 minutes to cool, so the total time is roughly 40 minutes.
Variations
I sometimes use different color themes like pastel blues and purples for birthdays or bright green and white for St. Patrick’s Day. I’ve also added a bit of lemon or strawberry extract for a fruity twist. If I want more texture, I roll the dough logs in sprinkles before slicing and baking.
Storage/Reheating
I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, I freeze the baked cookies or the dough logs and slice them as needed. To refresh them, I warm a cookie in the microwave for about 5–7 seconds to bring back that soft texture.
FAQs
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
If the dough feels too soft or sticky, I chill it for 20–30 minutes. It helps the cookies hold their shape better and makes the swirls more defined.
Can I make these without food coloring?
Yes, the cookies will still taste great without food coloring—they just won’t have the swirl effect. I sometimes leave one portion of the dough plain and tint the others for contrast.
How do I get clean swirls in the cookies?
I roll each colored dough into ropes, twist them gently, then roll into a log. When I slice the log evenly, the swirl stays clear and pretty.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, I often freeze the swirl log wrapped in plastic wrap. When I want to bake, I just let it thaw slightly and slice it into cookies.
Can I use cookie cutters with this dough?
This dough works best for slicing or rolling into spirals, but I’ve had some success gently rolling and cutting it if I chill it well and use simple shapes.
Conclusion
Love swirl sugar cookies are fun to make, eye-catching, and full of sweet, buttery flavor. I enjoy making them for holidays or special gifts, and the best part is how creative I can get with the colors and patterns. They’re a treat that always makes people smile.
PrintLove Swirl Sugar Cookies
Love swirl sugar cookies are soft, buttery cookies with vibrant pink, red, and white swirls, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any festive occasion. Their colorful patterns and sweet vanilla flavor make them as delightful to look at as they are to eat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Red and pink food coloring
- Sprinkles (optional, for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into 2 or 3 equal parts. Tint each with red or pink food coloring as desired, leaving one part uncolored for contrast.
- Roll each colored dough into ropes, twist them together gently, and roll into a single log.
- Slice the log into cookies or roll and slice into spirals for a swirl effect.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Optionally, roll edges in sprinkles before baking.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are just set but not browned.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes if it feels too soft or sticky before shaping.
- Get creative with color schemes for different holidays or events.
- Roll dough in sprinkles before baking for added texture and color.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Warm cookies for a few seconds in the microwave to refresh texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
