These Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies are soft, buttery sugar cookies with swirls of pink and white that look as sweet as they taste. They’re perfect for gifting, sharing, or just baking something pretty and joyful in February. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive colors, they’re bound to steal hearts — and maybe a few crumbs too.
The first time I made them, it was a snowy Valentine’s week, and I wanted something fun but simple to bake with the kids. We rolled the pink and plain dough together, sliced into spirals, and baked. The colors were bright, the kitchen smelled like vanilla and sugar, and the cookies came out beautifully soft. Ever since, they’ve become a must-bake tradition, sitting right beside my Heart Jam Thumbprint Cookies and Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies on our Valentine’s cookie plate.
Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture to form a soft dough.
- Divide the dough into two halves. Leave one plain and color the other with pink or red gel food coloring. Knead until evenly tinted.
- Roll each dough half into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick on parchment paper. Stack the colored dough on top of the plain and press gently.
- Roll the layered dough into a tight log from the long edge. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice the dough log into ¼-inch cookies. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just set. Cool completely. Optionally, roll edges in sprinkles for decoration.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Why You’ll Love Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies
These Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies are buttery, soft, and stunning to look at. They’re easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, but the pink and white swirls make them look like something from a bakery. They slice beautifully, bake evenly, and stay fresh for days — perfect for gifting, party platters, or lunchbox treats.
If you love charming desserts that feel homemade yet special, you’ll adore these cookies just as much as my Pear and Ginger Pudding Cakes or Caramel Coconut Macaroon Thumbprints.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Color & Decoration:
- Red or pink gel food coloring
- Sprinkles (optional, for edges or topping)
The same buttery base that makes my Heart Jam Thumbprint Cookies so irresistible also makes these swirls soft and tender — every bite is light, buttery, and perfectly balanced.
How to Make Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Divide & Color
Divide the dough into two equal halves. Leave one plain and add a few drops of pink or red food coloring to the other. Mix until evenly colored.
Step 4: Roll & Layer
Roll out both doughs on parchment paper into two equal rectangles (about ¼ inch thick). Place the pink dough on top of the plain dough and gently press together.
Step 5: Roll into a Log
Starting from the long edge, roll the layered dough tightly into a log. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
Step 6: Slice & Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the log into ¼-inch thick cookies and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just set.
Step 7: Cool & Decorate
Let cookies cool completely. You can leave them plain or roll the edges in sprinkles for extra Valentine’s flair.
Just like my Cottage Cheese Flagels or Cottage Cheese Egg Bites, this recipe proves that even simple steps can make something truly beautiful.
Tips for Perfect Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies
- Chill the dough well: This makes slicing easier and keeps the shape defined.
- Use gel coloring: It gives a bright pink hue without watering down the dough.
- Slice gently: Use a sharp knife and rotate the log as you cut for even spirals.
- Don’t overbake: They should stay soft with barely golden edges.
These same careful touches make my Cottage Cheese and Spinach Crustless Quiche turn out perfect every time — patience and precision go a long way.
How to Store and Gift
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.
Freezing: Wrap unbaked dough logs in plastic and freeze for up to 2 months. Slice and bake straight from frozen.
Gifting: Stack cookies in a clear bag or jar with a ribbon for an adorable Valentine’s gift.
If you love easy treats that double as gifts, these are right up there with my Cottage Cheese and Veggie Bake — simple, thoughtful, and loved by everyone.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate Swirl: Replace ¼ cup of flour with cocoa powder for a chocolate-pink swirl.
- Strawberry Vanilla: Add ½ teaspoon strawberry extract to the pink dough.
- Funfetti Version: Roll the log in sprinkles before slicing.
- Red Velvet Swirl: Use red gel coloring and a touch of cocoa powder for a richer flavor.
Just like my Cottage Cheese Beef Noodle Bake, this recipe is endlessly customizable and perfect for adding your own touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you make perfect cookie swirls?
Chill the dough well before slicing — cold dough keeps clean, even spirals.
2. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! Wrap tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 2 months. Slice and bake directly from frozen.
3. Can I use different colors?
Absolutely. Try pastel pink and white for a soft look or bold red and pink for extra Valentine’s flair.
4. How do I keep them soft?
Store in an airtight container with a small piece of bread or marshmallow to retain moisture.
The Final Bite
These Valentine’s Day Swirl Cookies are buttery, festive, and full of joy. The soft sugar cookie base and pink swirls make them the perfect Valentine’s treat — fun to bake, beautiful to share, and delicious to eat.
Whether you’re baking with kids, sharing with someone special, or treating yourself to something sweet, these cookies bring all the love (and color!) your kitchen needs.