Neapolitan Swirl Cookies (Print Version)
Buttery cookies with stunning chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry spirals for a colorful dessert treat.
# What You'll 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 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 combined.
03 - Gradually incorporate flour mixture into wet ingredients, mixing just until dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
04 - Separate dough into three equal portions. Mix cocoa powder into one portion for chocolate layer. Blend strawberry powder (and food coloring if using) into second portion. Leave third portion plain for vanilla.
05 - Roll each dough portion between parchment sheets into equal rectangles approximately 10x6 inches. Refrigerate all layers for 20-30 minutes until firm.
06 - Layer dough sheets in order: chocolate on bottom, vanilla in center, strawberry on top. Press gently to adhere layers together.
07 - Roll stacked dough tightly from long edge into a log. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for minimum 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 sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
10 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The three distinct flavors in one bite make every cookie feel like an edible surprise
- They are genuinely impressive to serve but secretly straightforward to make
02 -
- Chilling each layer separately is nonnegotiable for clean distinct spirals
- Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between slices for the prettiest cookies
03 -
- If your dough layers crack when rolling, let them warm slightly for just a few minutes
- A serrated knife can sometimes give you cleaner slices than a straight blade