Light, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a delicate swirl pattern.
These classic butter cookies are piped into elegant swirls and baked to golden perfection. They’re tender and crumbly with a rich, buttery flavor—perfect for tea time, holiday gifting, or an everyday sweet treat. With the right technique, they hold their shape beautifully and deliver bakery-quality results at home.
Time Required
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
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Chill Time: 20–30 minutes
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Bake Time: 12–15 minutes
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Total Time: ~1 hour
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200 g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
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90 g powdered sugar (icing sugar)
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1 large egg, room temperature
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
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250 g all-purpose flour
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50 g cornstarch (cornflour)
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¼ tsp salt
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1–2 tsp milk (only if needed, to soften stiff dough)
Instructions
1. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until the mixture becomes light, creamy, and fluffy. This should take about 3–4 minutes.
✨ Tip: Softened butter is key. If it’s too cold, the dough won’t cream well. Too soft or melted, and it won’t pipe properly.
2. Add Egg and Vanilla
Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat again until the mixture is well combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed.
3. Sift and Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until a soft, pipeable dough forms.
If the dough is too stiff to pipe easily, add 1–2 teaspoons of milk, one at a time, and mix gently. The dough should be soft but hold its shape when piped.
4. Pipe the Dough
Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip, like Wilton 1M or 2D.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick silicone mat. Pipe the dough into small round swirls or rosettes, spacing them about 2–3 cm apart.
Tip: Practice a swirl on parchment paper first if you’re new to piping!
5. Chill the Cookies
Place the piped cookie tray into the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much and preserves their defined shape during baking.
6. Bake
Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F).
Bake the chilled cookies for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color. The centers should remain pale for a soft, buttery crumb.
Avoid overbaking, as they can dry out quickly.
7. Cool
Let the cookies rest on the baking tray for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, they will firm up with a delicate crumbly texture.
Variations
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Chocolate-Dipped Swirls: Dip half of each cooled cookie into melted dark or white chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed nuts or sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
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Jam Thumbprint Swirls: Pipe the dough in rings, leaving a center well. After baking, fill the centers with raspberry, apricot, or lemon curd.
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Lemon or Orange Zest: Add 1 tsp of finely grated citrus zest to the dough for a fresh twist.
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Cocoa Swirl Cookies: Replace 25 g of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolatey version.
☕ Serving Suggestions
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Serve with afternoon tea, coffee, or hot cocoa.
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Perfect for holiday cookie tins, parties, or gift boxes.
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Pair with vanilla or berry ice cream for a fancy dessert plate.
Storage
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Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.
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If making in advance, the unbaked piped dough can be frozen on trays. Once frozen solid, transfer to zip bags and bake directly from frozen (add 1–2 extra minutes baking time).
❓FAQ
Q: My dough is too stiff to pipe. What do I do?
A: Add 1–2 teaspoons of milk and mix gently until the dough is soft enough to pipe. Be careful not to add too much liquid.
Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A: For best flavor and structure, use real butter. Margarine tends to be too soft and lacks the rich taste.
Q: Can I make them gluten-free?
A: Yes! Substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or add ¼ tsp separately.
Final Notes
These Butter Swirl Cookies are as pretty as they are delicious. Their delicate appearance makes them perfect for gifting, and their buttery flavor guarantees they won’t last long on the table.
Whether you dip them in chocolate, sandwich them with jam, or keep them classic, they’ll melt in your mouth and impress anyone lucky enough to get a bite.
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