Neapolitan Swirl Cookies

These Neapolitan Swirl Cookies are like three cookies in one. Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry all come together in one sweet, colorful bite. They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat.

I remember rolling the dough and watching the colors swirl together—it felt like magic. The mix of flavors is perfectly balanced, and every slice looks like a tiny piece of art.

If you love pretty cookies that taste just as good as they look, you’ll want to bake these. They’re buttery, soft, and bring a touch of joy to any cookie plate.

So, grab your favorite flavors and roll up your sleeves. Let’s bake Neapolitan Swirl Cookies that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Flavorful Trio: A delicious combination of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry in every bite!
• Beautiful & Fun to Make: Swirl the dough to create an eye-catching, marbled design that’s almost too pretty to eat.
• Soft & Chewy Texture: These cookies are perfectly tender, and they stay soft for days.
• Simple Ingredients: You only need basic pantry items to make these cookies, plus a touch of raspberry essence and food coloring to enhance the flavors and appearance.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday party, a picnic, or just a treat to enjoy with coffee, these cookies will impress anyone who sees (and tastes) them.

Required Kitchen Tools

Here’s a list of what you’ll need to make these cookies:

• Mixing Bowls: A large bowl to mix your dough and smaller bowls to separate the dough for the different flavors.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: For easy creaming of the butter and sugar, and mixing the dough.
• Spatula: To scrape the sides of the bowl.
• Baking Sheets: For placing the cookies on while baking.
• Parchment Paper: To line your baking sheets, ensuring the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
• Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: For portioning the cookie dough onto the baking sheets.
• Rolling Pin (optional): To roll the dough if needed to help with the swirl pattern.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these beautiful and delicious cookies (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

• Unsalted Butter (200g): For the perfect soft and chewy texture.
• Icing Sugar (125g): To sweeten the dough and create a smooth consistency.
• Large Egg (1): For binding the dough together.
• Pinch of Salt: To balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
• Cornflour (1 tbsp): Adds tenderness and ensures the cookies are soft.
• Plain Flour (350g): The base of the dough.
• Dark Chocolate (20g, melted): To create the chocolate-flavored part of the dough.
• Cocoa Powder (1 tbsp): To give the chocolate dough its rich, dark flavor.
• Vanilla Essence (1 tsp): For a classic, warm flavor.
• Raspberry Essence (1 tsp): For a fruity, slightly tart kick to the dough.
• Pink Food Coloring: To achieve that lovely pink swirl effect.

Variations for Neapolitan Swirl Cookies

• Add Nuts: Add chopped pistachios or almonds to the dough to give these cookies a little extra crunch and flavor.
• Use Different Food Colors: Instead of pink, try a soft peach or pastel purple to create a different swirl look.
• Make it Minty: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the vanilla dough for a refreshing twist.
• Add More Cocoa: Increase the amount of cocoa powder for a stronger chocolate flavor in the dough.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making Neapolitan Swirl Cookies is a fun process that allows you to get creative with how you shape the dough. Here’s how to do it:

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, which will make it easier to remove the cookies once they’re baked.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and icing sugar together using a hand or stand mixer. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. This step is important because it helps create the tender texture in the cookies.

3. Add the Egg, Vanilla, and Raspberry Essence

Add the egg, vanilla essence, and raspberry essence to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.

4. Sift the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift the plain flour, cornflour, and a pinch of salt together to ensure there are no lumps. This will help your dough come together more smoothly.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until the dough starts to form. You may want to switch to using a spatula to finish mixing as the dough thickens.

6. Divide the Dough

Once your dough is ready, divide it into three equal portions. Each portion will become one of the three flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.

7. Make the Vanilla Dough

Leave one portion of dough as it is for the vanilla flavor. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence and mix it in.

8. Make the Chocolate Dough

To one of the portions, add the melted dark chocolate and 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder. Mix until completely combined. This creates the rich chocolate flavor for the cookies.

9. Make the Strawberry Dough

To the last portion of dough, add a few drops of pink food coloring and 1 teaspoon of raspberry essence. Mix well until you have a smooth, pink dough with a hint of raspberry flavor.

10. Swirl the Dough

Now comes the fun part! Take a small portion of each color (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry dough) and place them next to each other. Gently roll them into a log shape. Then, twist the dough to create a swirl pattern.

You can roll out the dough flat with a rolling pin if you want a more defined swirl design. But, if you like a more casual look, you can simply roll them into balls and swirl them by hand.

11. Chill the Dough

Once your dough is swirled, place it in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the dough firm up, making it easier to cut and bake.

12. Bake the Cookies

After the dough has chilled, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still look slightly soft but will firm up as they cool.

13. Cool the Cookies

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

How to Serve Neapolitan Swirl Cookies

Neapolitan Swirl Cookies are delicious on their own, but you can get creative with how you serve them:

• With a Glass of Milk: Enjoy these cookies with a classic glass of cold milk for a comforting snack.
• On a Cookie Platter: Serve them on a cookie platter at your next gathering for a sweet and colorful addition to your dessert table.
• As a Gift: Pack these cookies in a cute tin or jar as a thoughtful homemade gift.
• With Ice Cream: Create a Neapolitan-themed dessert by pairing the cookies with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream for a fun twist.

Storing Neapolitan Swirl Cookies

• Room Temperature: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay soft and chewy.
• Freezer: You can also freeze the cookie dough before baking. Simply wrap the dough logs in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, just slice and bake directly from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to the bake time.
• Baked Cookies: Once baked, you can freeze the cookies as well. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Allow the cookies to thaw at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information

These Neapolitan Swirl Cookies are a treat, so enjoy them in moderation! Here’s a general breakdown of the nutrition per cookie (based on a yield of 24 cookies):

Nutrient	Amount per Cookie
Calories	150
Fat	7g
Saturated Fat	4g
Carbohydrates	21g
Sugar	10g
Protein	1g
Fiber	0.5g

Conclusion

Neapolitan Swirl Cookies are a must-try for anyone who loves a combination of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. With their stunning swirl pattern, soft texture, and delicious flavor, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Plus, they’re simple to make with just a few ingredients. Whether you’re looking for a fun baking project or a unique treat to share, these Neapolitan Swirl Cookies are the perfect choice. Try them out today and enjoy a colorful, mouthwatering treat that everyone will love!