Christmas Swirl Butter Cookies

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Dough

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed until light, pale, and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using), mixing until just combined.
4. Sift together the flour and salt, then add to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together — it should be smooth, soft, and pipeable.

2️⃣ Pipe the Swirls

1. Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (such as Wilton 1M or Ateco 826).
2. Pipe small swirls or rosettes onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Each cookie should be about 1½ inches wide.
3. If the dough feels too firm to pipe, let it rest at room temperature for 5–10 minutes to soften slightly.

3️⃣ Bake the Cookies

1. Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Keep an eye on them — they bake quickly and should stay pale in the center for that soft, buttery texture.
2. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

4️⃣ Dip & Decorate