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- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon peppermint extract The main ingredients create the base of your cookies. Flour gives structure. Butter adds richness. Sugar provides sweetness, while the egg binds everything together. Vanilla and peppermint extracts bring delightful flavors that make these cookies special. - Red and green food coloring - ½ cup crushed peppermint candies The colors make these cookies festive and fun. Red and green food coloring add a cheerful look. Crushed peppermint candies on top give a sweet crunch. They also enhance the peppermint taste, making each bite a treat. - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon salt Baking powder helps the cookies rise and stay fluffy. Salt balances the sweetness. Together, these baking essentials ensure your cookies turn out just right. They enhance flavors and improve the texture, making each cookie a joy to eat. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy. 2. Whisk together dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix them well and set this bowl aside for later. 1. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of softened unsalted butter with 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar. Use medium speed and mix until light and fluffy, which takes about 2-3 minutes. 2. Incorporate egg and extracts: Add in 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Mix this until everything is fully combined. 3. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, forming a dough. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender. 1. Divide and color the dough: Take the dough and divide it in half. In one half, add a few drops of red food coloring. In the other half, add green food coloring. Mix until the colors are bright and even. 2. Roll and stack dough for swirl: On a clean surface, roll each colored dough into rectangles, about ¼ inch thick. Place the red dough over the green dough and gently press them together. 3. Chill and slice the dough: Cut the stacked dough into strips using a sharp knife. Roll these strips tightly into a log shape. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Once chilled, slice the log into rounds, about ¼ inch thick, and place them on the prepared baking sheets. To get that beautiful swirl, use a clean surface when rolling the dough. Start with the red dough, rolling it into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Place the green dough on top and gently press them together. This helps the colors stick. Chilling the dough is key. Refrigerate the log for at least 30 minutes. This makes slicing easier and keeps the cookie shape. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Look for a light golden edge. This means they are done! Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes. This helps them firm up before moving them to a wire rack. For a festive display, arrange cookies on a nice platter. You can sprinkle extra crushed peppermint on the edges. This adds color and a fun crunch. The vibrant look makes them perfect for any holiday gathering. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: Refrigerating the dough not only makes it easier to slice but also helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking. Color Control: Add food coloring gradually to achieve your desired color intensity for the dough. Start with a small amount and mix well before adding more. Even Baking: Ensure cookies bake evenly by rotating the baking sheets halfway through the baking time, especially if your oven has hot spots. Garnish Timing: Sprinkle crushed peppermint on the cookies while they are still warm to ensure it sticks well and adds a festive crunch. {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of your cookies. Try using different extracts. Almond or vanilla extract works well. You can even mix them together for fun tastes. If you want a stronger peppermint flavor, add more peppermint extract. Just be careful not to overpower the cookie. Start with a little extra and taste as you go. Get creative with cookie shapes! Use cookie cutters to make fun holiday shapes. Stars, trees, or candy canes all work great for festive vibes. You could also use a sharp knife to cut out your own shapes. This gives each cookie a unique look. Decorating them can be just as fun as baking! If you're looking for gluten-free options, substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour. Make sure it has xanthan gum for the right texture. For a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax egg. Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes. These simple swaps let everyone enjoy your peppermint swirl sugar cookies! Store your peppermint swirl sugar cookies at room temperature. Use an airtight container to keep them fresh. This helps to avoid moisture and keeps the cookies soft. You can stack them neatly, but separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They will stay fresh for up to a week this way. For long-term storage, freezing cookies is a great option. Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about 1 hour until firm. Then, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container. This method prevents them from sticking together. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you want to enjoy a cookie, take it out and thaw it. The best way to thaw is to leave the cookies at room temperature for about 30 minutes. You can also warm them in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes. These cookies can stay fresh for about a week at room temperature. If stored in the freezer, they stay good for up to three months. Check for signs of spoilage before eating. If they smell off or have an unusual texture, it’s best to discard them. Enjoy your festive treats while they are at their best! If you don't have peppermint extract, you can use mint extract. It has a similar flavor but is a bit milder. You can also try almond extract for a different taste. For a softer flavor, use vanilla extract. Each option gives a unique twist to your cookies. Yes! You can make the dough a day ahead. Wrap it well in plastic wrap. Store it in the fridge until you are ready to bake. This makes it easy to enjoy fresh cookies whenever you want. Just be sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before slicing. To keep your cookies from spreading, make sure your butter is softened, not melted. Chilling the dough helps too. When you slice the dough, be sure to cut it thick enough. Finally, arrange the cookies on the baking sheet with space between them. This allows them to hold their shape while baking. This blog post guides you through making festive swirl cookies. You learned about key ingredients like flour, butter, and peppermint, along with step-by-step instructions to mix dough and create a swirl. Tips helped you perfect the baking and presentation. Lastly, we explored variations and storage methods for your cookies. Now, you can enjoy making and sharing these cookies with family and friends. Happy baking!

Peppermint Swirl Sugar Cookies

Bake the perfect holiday treat with these delightful peppermint swirl sugar cookies! Easy to make, these festive cookies feature vibrant red and green swirls and a yummy peppermint candy topping. Ideal for your holiday cookie recipes, these peppermint candy cookies are sure to impress your guests. Make this sweet classic today and spread the joy of the season! Save this recipe for your next baking adventure! #PeppermintSwirl #HolidayCookies #FestiveBaking #EasySugarCookies
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Ingredients
  

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Red and green food coloring

½ cup crushed peppermint candies (for garnish)

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

    In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

      In another large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

        Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract, mixing until fully combined.

          Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to form a dough.

            Divide the dough in half. In one half, add a few drops of red food coloring, and in the other half, add green food coloring. Mix each half until the colors are well combined and vibrant.

              On a clean surface, roll out each colored dough into a rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. Lay the red dough over the green dough, and gently press them together.

                Using a sharp knife, cut the stacked dough into strips, then roll them up tightly into a log shape. Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

                  Once chilled, slice the dough into rounds (about ¼ inch thick) and carefully arrange them on the prepared baking sheets.

                    Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

                      While still warm, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top of each cookie for a festive touch.

                        Prep Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins | Servings: 24 cookies

                          - Presentation Tips: Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter and garnish the edges with extra crushed peppermint for a vibrant holiday display.