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Spiral Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 99 reviews

These Spiral Christmas Sugar Cookies are a festive and colorful treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Featuring soft and tender sugar cookie dough in classic red, green, and plain swirls, these cookies are decorated with bright sprinkles for an extra cheerful touch. They’re easy to make, with a cream cheese-enriched dough that yields delectably soft texture and a balanced sweetness. Ideal for sharing at parties or gifting during the Christmas season.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup salted butter (softened)
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 ounces cream cheese (softened, about 1/4 cup)
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Coloring and Decoration

  • 2–3 drops red food coloring
  • 2–3 drops green food coloring
  • 1/2 cup sprinkles (red, green, or white)

Instructions

  1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine 1 cup softened salted butter, 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, and 2 ounces softened cream cheese. Whip together until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes, ensuring a smooth, airy base for the cookies.
  2. Add Flavorings and Egg: Add 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, and 1 large egg to the creamed mixture. Mix thoroughly and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl occasionally to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: Switch to the paddle attachment and add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together with no visible dry streaks, avoiding overmixing to keep cookies tender.
  4. Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough evenly into three portions. Leave one portion plain and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. For the other two, add 2 to 3 drops of red food coloring to one portion and mix until evenly colored, then repeat with 2 to 3 drops green food coloring for the other. Wrap all portions and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
  5. Prepare for Shaping: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lightly greasing it or lining with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough portion into rectangles around 1/8 inch thick, ensuring they’re all the same size and shape.
  6. Assemble and Roll Dough: Stack the rolled dough rectangles, trimming edges to make a neat rectangle if necessary. Gently roll over the stack to seal layers together. Starting from one long side, roll the layered dough tightly into a log shape to create the spiral effect.
  7. Slice and Decorate: Slice the log into cookies 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Pour 1/2 cup sprinkles into a small bowl or plate. Roll the edges of each cookie in the sprinkles, pressing lightly to help them stick. Place cookies about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  8. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set and bottoms turn light golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Store: Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature before mixing.
  • If you don’t have a stand mixer, a hand mixer or mixing vigorously by hand works too, though it requires more effort.
  • Refrigerating the dough helps with easier rolling and cleaner layers in the spiral.
  • Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors that won’t affect the dough texture.
  • If you prefer, you can omit almond extract or replace with an extra 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  • Sprinkles are optional; chopped nuts or colored sugar can be used for decoration instead.
  • Make sure to slice cookies evenly so they bake uniformly.
  • These cookies freeze well; wrap tightly and thaw at room temperature before serving.

Keywords: Christmas cookies, sugar cookies, festive cookies, holiday baking, spiral cookies, cream cheese cookies

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/spiral-christmas-sugar-cookies-recipe/