Love is in the air, and what better way to celebrate the sweetest day of the year than with a batch of homemade, heart-stealing treats? Forget the predictable chocolates this Valentine’s Day and get ready to whip up something truly magical: delicious and utterly gorgeous Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies! These aren’t just any cookies; they’re edible works of art, bursting with vanilla flavor, a pop of vibrant red, and a generous coating of festive sprinkles. Imagine the smiles when you present these beauties. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat, and promise to add a sprinkle of joy to anyone’s day!

Why You’ll Love These Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies!

Visually Stunning: With their captivating red and white swirl and dazzling sprinkle crust, these Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies! are a feast for the eyes before they even reach your taste buds. They’re guaranteed to impress!
Deliciously Simple: Don’t let their elegant appearance fool you! This recipe is straightforward, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can create such a showstopper.
Perfect for Gifting: Homemade gifts always come from the heart. These charming cookies are ideal for surprising your significant other, friends, family, or even treating yourself! Package them in a pretty box, and you’ll have the perfect heartfelt present.
Irresistibly Festive: Infused with the spirit of Valentine’s Day, these cookies are the ultimate treat to share. Their vibrant colors and sweet flavors embody everything we love about this romantic holiday.

Ingredients for Your Perfect Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies!

Gather your baking essentials, and let’s get ready to create some magic!

🌾 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (plus 1-2 tablespoons if dough is too wet)
✨ ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
🧂 ¼ teaspoon Salt
💖 ⅔ cup Powdered Sugar
🍚 ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
🧈 1 ¼ cups (2 ½ sticks) Unsalted Butter, softened and cut into chunks
🍦 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
❤️ ½ teaspoon Red Food Coloring (gel recommended for vibrant color)
🎉 1 ½ cups Valentine’s Day Sprinkles

Detailed Directions: Crafting Your Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies!

Whisk Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of your trusty stand mixer, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar. Attach the paddle and mix on medium speed until everything is beautifully blended and ready for action.
Form Dough: Now, it’s time to get buttery! Gradually add the softened butter chunks and vanilla extract to your dry mixture. Continue mixing until the ingredients magically come together and form a wonderfully soft ball of dough.
Divide & Color: Gently remove all the dough from the mixer and divide it into two equal portions. Place one portion back into the mixer. Add the vibrant red food coloring and mix until that dough is uniformly and vibrantly red. You want it to shout “Valentine’s Day!”
Roll Out Dough: Take each dough portion and place it lovingly between two sheets of wax paper. Grab your rolling pin and roll each out to an approximate 11×9 inch rectangle, aiming for about ¼ inch thick. This precision is key for stunning swirls! Slide both rolled dough sheets (still cozy between their wax paper) onto a baking sheet and pop them into the refrigerator. Let them chill for at least one hour until they are nice and firm.
Layer Dough: Once firm, carefully peel off the top sheets of wax paper from both dough rectangles. With a pastry brush, lightly moisten the plain vanilla dough with a thin layer of water. This acts as our “glue.” Gently flip the red dough onto the vanilla dough, aligning them perfectly. Lightly press the edges with your fingertips to seal them together, then grab a small knife to trim any uneven edges, creating a neat, straight rectangle.
Create Swirl: Make sure your layered dough is still wonderfully cold but flexible. Starting from one of the long sides, tightly roll the stacked dough into a cylinder, just like a jelly-roll. This is where your stunning spiral begins to form!
Add Sprinkles & Chill Again: Pour your festive Valentine’s Day sprinkles onto a large platter. Gently lift your beautiful dough log onto the sprinkles and roll it until the entire log is evenly coated in a dazzling array. Wrap the sprinkle-covered log tightly in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for several hours (or up to three months in the freezer for future baking!). This firming step is crucial for perfect slices.
Slice & Bake: Preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take your chilled dough log and slice it into ¼ inch thick cookies. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown. Let these beauties rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your masterpiece!

Presentation & Serving Ideas for Your Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies!

These Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies! are already showstoppers, but a little extra flourish can make them truly unforgettable. Here are some fun ways to present and serve them:

Sweet Stacks: Arrange them artfully on a tiered serving tray or a festive platter, creating a visually appealing tower of love.
Gift of Love: Place a handful of cookies in a clear cellophane bag, tie it with a red or pink ribbon, and add a small personalized tag. Perfect for teachers, neighbors, or colleagues!
Dessert Board Delight: Include these swirl cookies as part of a larger Valentine’s Day themed dessert charcuterie board alongside fresh berries, chocolate-dipped pretzels, and mini meringues.
Dusting of Magic: For an extra touch of elegance, lightly dust a few cooled cookies with a little extra powdered sugar just before serving.
Paired Perfection: Serve these cookies alongside a warm mug of hot chocolate or a frothy latte. For a sophisticated touch, pair them with a glass of sparkling rosé.
Ice Cream Sidekick: A single cookie makes a delightful companion to a scoop of vanilla bean or strawberry ice cream.

Storing Your Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies!

Good news! These delightful Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies! are fantastic for making ahead and store wonderfully, ensuring you can enjoy their magic for longer.

Baked Cookies: Once completely cooled, store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days. If you live in a particularly humid environment, storing them in the refrigerator can extend their freshness slightly.
Unbaked Dough Log: The beauty of this recipe is the ability to prepare the dough in advance. The sprinkle-coated log, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This means you can slice and bake fresh cookies whenever a craving strikes!
Freezing Dough: For even longer storage, the wrapped dough log can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply transfer the log to the refrigerator overnight to thaw before slicing and baking as directed.
Freezing Baked Cookies: You can also freeze baked and cooled cookies! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in a low oven for a “freshly baked” feel.

FAQs About Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies!

Q1: Can I use different food coloring?: A: Absolutely! While red is perfect for Valentine’s Day, feel free to get creative! Green for St. Patrick’s Day, blue for a baby shower, or even a mix of colors for a rainbow swirl would be fantastic. Gel food coloring provides the most vibrant results.
Q2: What if I don’t have a stand mixer?: A: No stand mixer? No problem! You can use a hand mixer, or if you’re feeling energetic, mix the dough by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon and your muscles. Just make sure the butter is very soft for easier blending.
Q3: Do I really need to chill the dough for so long?: A: Yes, the chilling steps are crucial for these Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies! They ensure the dough is firm enough to roll, layer, and slice without becoming a sticky mess. It also helps the cookies hold their shape beautifully and prevents excessive spreading in the oven, giving you those perfectly defined swirls.
Q4: My dough is too sticky/crumbly, what do I do?: A: If your dough is too sticky, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour, one at a time, until it reaches a manageable consistency. If it’s too crumbly, add ½ to 1 teaspoon of milk or water to help it come together. Humidity and butter temperature can affect dough consistency.
Q5: Can I make these ahead of time?: A: Yes, these cookies are fantastic for making ahead! You can prepare the dough log (with sprinkles) and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. This makes them perfect for stress-free holiday baking!
Q6: What kind of sprinkles are best for these cookies?: A: Nonpareils (the tiny round balls) or jimmie sprinkles (the small rod-shaped ones) work wonderfully for coating the log. Avoid very large or unusually shaped sprinkles, as they might not adhere as well or might create gaps when rolling.
Q7: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?: A: You can, but you should adjust the added salt. If using salted butter, reduce the ¼ teaspoon of salt in the recipe to an eighth of a teaspoon, or omit it entirely, depending on your preference and the salt content of your butter.
Q8: Why did my cookies spread too much?: A: Common reasons for spreading include dough that wasn’t chilled enough, an oven that isn’t at the correct temperature (a cheap oven thermometer can help!), or slightly too much butter/liquid in the dough. Ensure your dough is firm before slicing and baking.
Q9: How thick should I roll the dough rectangles?: A: The recipe specifies rolling each dough portion to about ¼ inch thick. This thickness is ideal for creating a noticeable swirl and ensures the cookies bake evenly without being too thin or too thick.
Q10: Can I freeze the baked Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies!?: A: Yes, you can! Once baked and completely cooled, arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a delicious treat anytime!

Valentine's Day Swirl Cookies

These Valentine's Day Swirl Cookies are homemade with love and an easy treat for a lovely swirl cookie experience! 💖

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Chilling Time 2

Total Time 2 45

Servings 48 cookies

Calories 100 kcal

Equipment

Stand Mixer
Paddle attachment
Wax Paper
Rolling Pin
Baking Sheet
Pastry Brush
Small knife
Plastic Wrap
Parchment Paper
Wire Rack
Large platter

Ingredients

2 cups All-Purpose Flour (plus 1-2 tablespoons if dough is too wet)
0.5 teaspoon Baking Powder
0.25 teaspoon Salt
0.66 cup Powdered Sugar
0.25 cup Granulated Sugar
1.25 cups Unsalted Butter (2 ½ sticks), softened and cut into chunks
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
0.5 teaspoon Red Food Coloring (gel recommended for vibrant color)
1.5 cups Valentine's Day Sprinkles

Instructions

1. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix with the paddle attachment on medium speed until everything is well blended.
2. Form Dough: Gradually add the softened butter chunks and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the dough comes together and forms a soft ball.
3. Divide & Color: Remove all the dough and divide it into two equal portions. Place one portion back into the mixer, add the red food coloring, and mix until the dough is uniformly vibrant red.
4. Roll Out Dough: Take each dough portion and place it between two sheets of wax paper. Using a rolling pin, roll each out to an approximate 11x9 inch rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. Slide both rolled dough sheets (still between wax paper) onto a baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour until they are firm.
5. Layer Dough: Once firm, carefully peel off the top sheets of wax paper from both dough rectangles. Lightly brush the plain vanilla dough with a thin layer of water using a pastry brush. Gently flip the red dough onto the vanilla dough, aligning them perfectly. Lightly press the edges with your fingertips to seal them together, then trim any uneven edges with a small knife for a neat, straight rectangle.
6. Create Swirl: Make sure your layered dough is still cold but flexible. Starting from one of the long sides, tightly roll the stacked dough into a cylinder, jelly-roll style, to create a beautiful spiral.
7. Add Sprinkles & Chill Again: Pour your Valentine's Day sprinkles onto a large platter. Gently lift the dough log onto the sprinkles and roll it until the entire log is evenly coated. Wrap the sprinkle-covered log tightly in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for several hours, or you can freeze it for up to three months.
8. Slice & Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the chilled dough log into ¼ inch thick cookies. Place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Nutrition Information (per serving):

Calories: 100 kcal
Total Carbs: 10g
Net Carbs: 10g
Fats: 6g
Protein: 1g