Dessert

Peppermint Swirl Cookies Recipe

BySana Jeannette November 17, 2025November 17, 2025

Introduction

Peppermint Swirl Cookies are a festive and delightful treat perfect for the holiday season or anytime you crave a minty twist. These cookies feature a beautiful red and white swirl, combining classic sugar cookie flavors with refreshing peppermint. They’re as fun to make as they are to enjoy.

Four round cookies with white dough and red swirled stripes are stacked on a white plate. Each cookie is covered with fine granulated sugar, adding a sparkling texture on top. The cookies have a slightly rough and sugary surface with a soft, baked appearance. The plate sits on a folded orange and brown cloth on a white marbled textured surface. The background is slightly blurry with warm tones. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
Red gel food coloring

1/4 cup coarse sugar or crushed peppermint candies for coating

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then the vanilla and peppermint extracts until well combined.

Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined and a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
Step 4: Divide the dough in half. Leave one half plain and add red gel food coloring to the other half, mixing until the color is uniform.
Step 5: Wrap each half separately in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm the dough.

Step 6: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the plain dough into a 10×12 inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Repeat with the red dough to the same size and thickness.
Step 7: Carefully lay the red dough rectangle on top of the plain dough rectangle and gently press them together.
Step 8: Starting from one long side, roll the layered dough tightly into a log, pressing gently to remove air pockets and maintain swirl definition.

Step 9: Wrap the dough log tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until very firm.
Step 10: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 11: Remove the chilled dough log and optionally brush it lightly with water or whisked egg white. Roll it in coarse sugar or crushed peppermint candies to coat evenly.

Step 12: Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Place the cookies about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Step 13: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep them tender.
Step 14: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

Use gel food coloring rather than liquid to prevent the dough from becoming too sticky.
For added texture, mix crushed peppermint candies inside the dough along with the swirl.
Substitute red gel coloring with green for a different festive look.

Chilling the dough properly is crucial for sharp, clean swirls and easier slicing.

Storage

Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the sliced dough log before baking or freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen baked cookies briefly in a 300°F oven to restore freshness.

How to Serve

Four round peppermint swirl cookies are stacked on a white plate, resting on an orange and red checkered cloth. Each cookie has a white base with red stripes twisted to look like a swirl, and they are covered with granulated sugar crystals that give a sparkling texture. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with blurred green leaves and warm brown tones in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is preferred because it won’t change the dough’s consistency. Using liquid coloring might make the dough too wet or sticky.

How do I keep the peppermint flavor from fading?

Add the peppermint extract along with the vanilla in the dough, not during baking. Storing cookies in an airtight container helps preserve the flavor.