Looking for a cookie that’s both pretty and delicious? These Raspberry Swirl Cookies are exactly what you need! With their beautiful pink swirls and buttery-sweet taste, they’re sure to become your new favorite treat. These cookies combine the comfort of a classic sugar cookie with a fresh burst of raspberry, creating the perfect balance of flavors that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Before You Get Started:

Before diving into these delicious cookies, here are some helpful tips to ensure success:

Take your butter and cream cheese out of the fridge about 30 minutes before starting. Room temperature ingredients mix better and create a smoother dough.
Clear some space in your fridge – you’ll need room for chilling the dough between steps.
Have parchment paper ready for rolling and baking. It makes the whole process much easier and prevents sticking.
Choose good quality raspberry preserves that aren’t too runny. The thicker the preserves, the prettier your swirls will be.
Make sure your baking sheets are cool between batches. Using a warm baking sheet might cause your cookies to spread excessively.

What Makes This Recipe So Good:

The secret to these amazing cookies lies in their perfectly balanced ingredients. The base is a rich, buttery sugar cookie dough that stays soft in the middle while getting slightly crispy around the edges. isn’t just for looks – it adds a natural fruit flavor that makes these cookies extra special. Plus, the cream cheese in the dough helps keep them tender and adds a subtle tang that works perfectly with the sweet raspberry.

What really sets these cookies apart is how the raspberry filling gets slightly jammy during baking, creating pockets of fruit flavor throughout each cookie. The contrast between the smooth vanilla dough and the bright raspberry swirl makes every bite interesting and delicious.

What I Love About This Recipe:

The best part about these cookies is how impressive they look with minimal effort. While the swirl pattern might seem tricky, it’s actually super easy to achieve – just spread, roll, and slice! I love making these cookies because:

They’re perfect for any occasion, from holiday cookie exchanges to afternoon snacks.
The dough can be made ahead and frozen for up to three months.
Kids love helping with the swirl pattern.
They add a pop of color to any cookie plate.
Each cookie looks slightly different, making them uniquely beautiful.

Recipe Variations:

Want to mix things up? Here are some delicious ways to customize these cookies:

Swap the raspberry filling for strawberry or blackberry preserves.
Mix white chocolate chips into the cookie dough for a delicious twist.
Roll the edges in colored sugar before baking for extra sparkle.
Try a chocolate dough base instead of vanilla.
Make them extra fancy by drizzling with white chocolate after they cool.

For a more sophisticated twist, you can even try adding a touch of almond extract to the dough or sprinkling crushed freeze-dried raspberries on top before baking. The possibilities are endless, and each variation creates a whole new cookie experience!

Remember, the key to perfect swirls is keeping your dough chilled between steps. This might take a little extra time, but trust me – the results are worth every minute of waiting. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try one of these variations, these Raspberry Cookies are sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire.

Raspberry Swirl Cookies

Raspberry Swirl Cookies feature a tender cream cheese-enriched dough wrapped around sweet raspberry preserves. The beautiful pinwheel design creates a show-stopping cookie that's surprisingly easy to make.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 12

Total Time 42

Calories 120 kcal

Equipment

Mixing bowls Large and medium-sized bowls
Electric mixer Stand or hand mixer
Rolling Pin For flattening dough
Parchment paper To line baking sheets
Baking sheets: Large enough for even cookie placement
Knife or pizza cutter: For creating clean dough cuts

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients :

all-purpose flour 2 ½ cups, baking powder (1 tsp), salt (pinch)

Wet Ingredients:

Unsalted butter 1 cup, softened, granulated sugar (1 cup), egg (1)

Flavorings:

Vanilla extract 1 tsp, almond extract (optional, ½ tsp)

Filling:

Raspberry jam or preserves ½ cup, smooth or seedless preferred

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until creamy and fluffy.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) into the wet mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Chill the Dough:

Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Roll Out and Add Filling:

On a floured surface, roll out one portion of dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
Spread a thin, even layer of raspberry jam over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

Create the Swirl:

Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Repeat with the second portion of dough.
Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for another hour (or freeze for 30 minutes for easier slicing).

Slice and Bake:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Slice the logs into ¼-inch thick rounds and place them on the baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.

Cool and Enjoy:

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough ensures it’s firm enough to roll and slice without sticking.
Uniform Slices: Use a sharp knife or dental floss for clean cookie slices.
Storing: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Serving Suggestions: Pair these cookies with tea, coffee, or a glass of milk for a delightful snack.