Swirled Mint Christmas Cookies
Festive swirled mint cookies feature vibrant red, green, and plain doughs, offering a delightful peppermint flavor. Perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine the flour and baking powder in a bowl.
- In a large mixer bowl, beat the butter or margarine until softened.
- Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract; beat well.
- Gradually beat in the flour mixture until well mixed.
- Divide the dough into three portions. Tint one with red food coloring, one with green, and leave one plain.
- Cover each portion and chill for about 1 hour.
- Roll each portion into 1/2-inch diameter ropes.
- Twist one red, one green, and one plain rope together to create a swirl.
- Slice the twisted ropes into cookies of desired thickness, either 1/2 or 1/4 inch.
- Shape each slice into a ball.
- Place cookies on an ungreased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, and flatten to 1/4-inch thickness using a sugar-dipped bottom of a glass.
- Bake in a 375°F oven for 6 to 10 minutes, depending on size.
- Remove from oven and cool.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more vibrant color, consider using gel food coloring instead of liquid. If you want to add a chocolate twist, incorporate some cocoa powder into the plain dough. Make sure to chill the dough well to ensure the cookies hold their shape while baking. If you don't have peppermint extract, you can use additional vanilla extract for a milder flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These festive cookies are delightful on their own but can be enhanced with a drizzle of Maple Frosting for added sweetness. Serve alongside a warm cup of hot chocolate or tea for a cozy treat. They make excellent gifts when packaged in decorative boxes, perfect for sharing during the holiday season.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. To enjoy them later, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them in the oven for a few minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Swirled Mint Christmas Cookies contains roughly 682 calories, with 9g protein, 111g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (44% of the Daily Value) and iron (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 824mg per serving (36% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't have red and green food coloring?
If you don't have red and green food coloring, you can use cocoa powder for a chocolatey version or simply leave the dough plain for a classic look. The cookies will still taste delicious, even without the vibrant colors.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).