Classic Butter Delight

Category: Treats That Make Everything Better

These fancy piped cookies boast a rich buttery base, dressed with optional chocolate dipping and colorful sprinkles. Great for celebrations or gifting.

Clare Recipes
Created By Lily Chen
Updated on Fri, 21 Mar 2025 03:09:26 GMT
A close-up of swirl cookies dressed with chocolate coating and colorful sprinkles, ready to enjoy. Save
A close-up of swirl cookies dressed with chocolate coating and colorful sprinkles, ready to enjoy. | lilicooks.com

When I whip up these Buttery Swirl Treats, my home fills with the warmest, richest smell you can imagine. They twist so nicely and just dissolve on your tongue, making them really stand out. After I coat one side with chocolate and toss on those fun sprinkles, they turn into something absolutely wonderful - just right for turning any regular day into something special.

The Secret Behind Their Charm

What I adore about these cookies is how they're both basic and fancy at once. They taste so buttery they're hard to resist by themselves, but add that chocolate layer and sprinkles and they become downright amazing. Whenever I need something that looks impressive but doesn't take much effort, these are what I make.

Let's Round Up What We Need

  • Unsalted Butter: One cup brought to room temp for the best taste.
  • Granulated Sugar: Just half a cup for perfect sweetness.
  • Egg Yolks: Two big ones to give that sunny yellow look.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Two cups measured with care for the right texture.
  • Salt: A quarter teaspoon to boost all the other tastes.
  • Extract: You can't go wrong with vanilla or almond - both taste great.
  • Milk: A couple tablespoons makes the dough just right for piping.
  • Chocolate: Pick whatever kind you like best for dipping.
  • Sprinkles: They just make everything better and more cheerful.

Time To Work Some Kitchen Wonder

Get your mixture going:
Beat the butter and sugar till fluffy, then mix in yolks and extract until it's all smooth.
Build your cookie base:
Add the dry stuff bit by bit, then pour in just enough milk so you can pipe it easily.
Grab your piping bag:
Load it up with that yummy dough and squeeze out pretty swirls onto your cookie sheet.
Bake them up:
Keep an eye on them - you want just a hint of gold around the edges.
Now the best bit:
After they cool down, dunk them in melted chocolate, scatter some sprinkles, and wait for everything to harden.

Tricks For Perfect Results

Using stuff that's not cold from the fridge really helps your dough mix better. I always use two piping bags, one inside the other, so they don't burst. Don't stress if your first swirls look weird - just scrape them back and try again. Also, let your trays cool completely between batches.

Making Them Last

These little treats stay good for a week if you store them in something airtight, though the ones with chocolate taste best if you eat them within a few days. You can also stick them in the freezer for up to three months. Just let them sit out and warm up when you want some.

Changing Things Up

I sometimes throw in some peppermint flavor and crushed candy canes at Christmas, or go with white chocolate and bright sprinkles for birthday treats. Adding some chopped nuts to the chocolate works great too - you can really play around with them.

Simple Cookie Happiness

These butter cookies have something really magical about them. Whether you make the plain version or fancy them up, they always bring out smiles. They add that touch of something special to any get-together, and folks ask me for the recipe all the time.

A close-up of festive cookies featuring a swirl of yellow dough topped with half-dipped chocolate and colorful sprinkles in red, green, and white. Save
A close-up of festive cookies featuring a swirl of yellow dough topped with half-dipped chocolate and colorful sprinkles in red, green, and white. | lilicooks.com

Final Thoughts

Buttery swirl cookies are a festive favorite with delicate piped designs. Add sprinkles and chocolate for extra flair, or enjoy them plain as a crowd-pleaser for every occasion.

Recipe FAQs

→ What's the benefit of smaller piping batches?

Handling about 1 cup of dough per batch keeps things simple. A smaller amount offers better control and makes it less tiring to pipe.

→ Why does piping get easier over time?

Your hands warm the dough slightly as you pipe, softening it just enough to make it move smoother after a few cookies.

→ Can I redo wonky swirls?

Of course! Reshape tricky areas with your fingers or scoop up the dough to try again until you’re happy with the result.

→ How to store cookies dipped in chocolate?

Place them in a sealed container with wax paper separating layers. They stay fresh for 3-4 days with chocolate, about a week otherwise.

→ Can I keep them in the freezer?

Absolutely, they'll last 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Stack with wax paper to keep layers neat, especially with chocolate. Thaw at room temperature.

Sweet Butter Cookies

Tender cookies with buttery swirls, half-coated in chocolate and sprinkles. A perfect melt-in-your-mouth snack for festive occasions.

Preparation Time
45 min
Cooking Time
10 min
Overall Time
55 min
Created By: Lily Chen

Category: Sweet Stuff

Skill Level: Challenging

Cuisine Type: American

Output: 32 Serves (32 cookies)

Dietary Options: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/8 teaspoon of salt.
02 2 1/2 cups plain all-purpose flour.
03 2 teaspoons of either almond or vanilla flavoring.
04 2/3 cup (126g) white sugar.
05 1 cup (226g) softened unsalted butter.
06 3 egg yolks, large.
07 About 2 tablespoons milk.
08 Sprinkles for topping (optional).
09 10 ounces of Ghirardelli chocolate wafers (optional).

Steps

Step 01

Set the oven to 350°F and put a silicone mat on your cookie tray.

Step 02

Beat the sugar and butter together until fluffy.

Step 03

Stir in the egg yolks and your choice of flavor.

Step 04

Mix in the dry stuff, pour in the milk, then beat until it's thick and doughy.

Step 05

With an Ateco 825 tip, make 1 1/2 inch swirls, leaving 2 inches of space between them.

Step 06

Bake a single tray at a time for 9 to 11 minutes.

Step 07

Let them cool on the tray for 5 to 10 minutes before moving to a rack.

Step 08

Optional: Dip them in melted chocolate and toss on some sprinkles.

Tips

  1. Piping bags work better if you don't overstuff them.
  2. The dough softens and gets easier as you go along.
  3. Fix or tweak messy swirls if needed.

Required Tools

  • Piping tools.
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer.
  • Ateco 825 piping nozzle.
  • Baking mat made of silicone.
  • Tray for baking.

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Milk products (butter, milk).
  • Egg (yolks).
  • Wheat (flour).

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 109
  • Fats: 6.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11.8 g
  • Proteins: 1.4 g