Neapolitan Swirl Cookies (Printable)
Soft buttery cookies with chocolate vanilla and strawberry spirals
# Ingredient List:
→ Basic Cookie Dough
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Chocolate Layer
08 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
→ Strawberry Layer
09 - 2 teaspoons freeze-dried strawberry powder or strawberry gelatin powder
10 - Pink food coloring, optional for enhanced color
# Steps:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until fully incorporated.
03 - Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients, mixing just until dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
04 - Split dough into three equal portions. Mix one portion with cocoa powder for chocolate layer, another with strawberry powder and optional food coloring for strawberry layer, and leave third portion plain for vanilla layer.
05 - Roll each portion between parchment paper into equal rectangles approximately 10x6 inches. Chill sheets for 20-30 minutes until firm.
06 - Stack layers in order: chocolate on bottom, vanilla in middle, strawberry on top. Gently press layers together to adhere.
07 - Starting from long edge, tightly roll stacked dough into log. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour until very firm.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
09 - Cut chilled log into 1/4-inch rounds. Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
10 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Theyre essentially three cookies in one, which means nobody has to choose just one flavor
- The swirl pattern makes you look like a pastry wizard despite how simple the technique actually is
02 -
- If your dough layers slide apart while rolling, pop the whole thing back in the fridge for 15 minutes and try again
- A sharp knife is your best friend here, wiping it clean between slices keeps those spirals crisp and defined
03 -
- Use kitchen scissors to trim the ends of your log before slicing so the first and last cookies look as pretty as the middle ones
- Rotate your baking sheets halfway through for perfectly even browning across all three flavors