Peppermint Red and White Swirl Tree Cookies
Delightful cookies featuring vibrant red and white swirls with a refreshing peppermint flavor, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
For the dough
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- a few drops red food coloring
- optional Crushed candy canes or colorful sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and peppermint extract to the butter mixture and mix until fully combined.
- Gradually incorporate the flour into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one portion and mix until fully blended.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
- Stack the red dough on top of the white dough, pressing gently to stick together. Roll into a log and chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
Baking
- Once chilled, remove the dough log from the fridge and slice it into 1/4-inch thick rounds using a tree-shaped cookie cutter.
- Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Decorate with crushed candy canes or colorful sprinkles before serving.
Notes
Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for best results. Chill the dough log for clean edges when slicing. Consider adding chocolate chips or drizzling melted chocolate for a richer flavor.