Neapolitan Swirl Cookies (Print Version)

Soft buttery cookies with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry spirals create stunning tri-color treats perfect for any occasion.

# What You Need:

→ 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)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
03 - Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a cohesive dough forms. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
04 - Split dough into three equal portions. Mix one portion with cocoa powder for chocolate layer. Combine second portion with strawberry powder and optional pink food coloring. Leave third portion plain for vanilla layer.
05 - Roll each dough portion between two sheets of parchment paper into 10x6-inch rectangles. Refrigerate each sheet for 20-30 minutes until firm to the touch.
06 - Carefully place chocolate layer on bottom, top with vanilla layer, then strawberry layer. Gently press layers together to ensure they adhere.
07 - Starting from the long edge, tightly roll stacked dough into a log. Wrap securely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until very firm.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
09 - Cut chilled dough log into 1/4-inch rounds. Arrange cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
10 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The triple swirl looks like you spent hours, but the technique is totally doable even for beginners
  • You get three classic flavors in every single bite, satisfying every craving at once
  • The dough freezes beautifully, so you can slice and bake fresh cookies whenever the mood strikes
02 -
  • The chilling steps are nonnegotiable, so plan ahead because warm dough will squish and lose those gorgeous swirls
  • Work quickly when assembling the layers, since the dough softens fast and can become impossible to handle
  • A sharp knife and gentle sawing motion prevents the layers from smearing together when slicing
03 -
  • Freeze dried strawberry powder is worth seeking out online or at specialty stores, as it gives authentic flavor without turning the dough gummy
  • If your layers start to feel too soft while working with them, pop everything back in the fridge for 10 minutes and continue

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