Name: Colorful Wreath Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 100 g unsalted butter at room temperature; 50 g icing sugar; 1 egg white; 1 tsp vanilla extract or essence; ½ tsp salt; 100 g all-purpose flour; 60 g cornstarch; Red gel food colouring; Sprinkles

There's something genuinely joyful about baking cookies that look as delightful as they taste, and that’s exactly why I adore this Colorful Wreath Butter Cookies Recipe. With their swirls of vibrant colors and sweet buttery flavor, these cookies bring a festive spirit to any kitchen or holiday table.

The image shows multiple round cookies shaped like wreaths, arranged on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two twisted layers, one bright red and one creamy off-white, forming a swirl pattern. Small round sprinkles in green, white, and red are scattered on the cookies and around them on the surface. One cookie has a red and white twisted string looped through it, giving a festive look. The texture of the cookies looks slightly crumbly and soft. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Colorful Wreath Butter Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Colorful Wreath Butter Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Colorful Wreath Butter Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe isn’t just about making cookies; it’s about creating something special that looks stunning and tastes even better. I love how it transforms a simple butter cookie into a colorful masterpiece that’s surprisingly easy to make.

Visual Impact: These cookies are a feast for the eyes with their beautiful red and green swirls that mimic festive wreaths perfectly.
Simple Ingredients: It uses pantry staples, so you probably already have everything you need without a special trip to the store.
Fun to Make: The process of pulling the colors together and piping them into wreath shapes is genuinely enjoyable and creative.
Perfect for Gifting: These cookies make a thoughtful homemade gift that everyone will appreciate – plus they keep well!

The image shows round cookies shaped like wreaths with two swirled layers, one red and one white. Each cookie has small round red, green, and white sprinkles scattered on top, giving a festive look. The cookies are placed on a white marbled surface, with some sprinkles spread around them. One cookie in the front is tied with a red and white striped string through its center hole, adding a decorative touch. The texture of the cookies looks soft and slightly crumbly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the tender texture and vibrant colors of these wreath cookies. Using high-quality butter and measuring precisely really makes a difference here – believe me, I’ve learned that the hard way!

Flat lay of a small white ceramic plate with a square of pale unsalted butter, a small white bowl filled with fine white icing sugar, a whole clean uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small mound of fine white all-purpose flour, a small mound of fine white cornstarch, a small white bowl holding bright red gel food coloring, and a small white bowl filled with colorful round sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically and naturally on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture; room temperature butter blends smoothly for creamy dough.
Icing Sugar: Dissolves easily for that silky softness in the dough.
Egg White: Binds the dough without adding extra fat, helping keep cookies tender but firm enough to hold shape.
Vanilla Extract or Essence: Adds warmth and depth to the simple dough.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the buttery flavor beautifully.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure – the right amount ensures the cookies aren’t tough or crumbly.
Cornstarch: A little secret for tenderness – it softens the texture and makes the cookies delicate.
Red Gel Food Colouring: This concentrated gel gives bright color without watery consistency that liquid dyes bring.
Sprinkles: For that final festive sparkle and crunch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing things up here and there – sometimes I swap colors to match different holidays or seasons, or try different sprinkles to add texture and personality. You can absolutely make this recipe your own and experiment with colors or shapes.

Variation: Once, I swapped the traditional red for a pastel pink and green combo for a springtime twist, and everyone loved the fresh vibe it gave.
Dietary Modifications: For a dairy-free version, try using a plant-based butter substitute – just make sure it’s solid enough to hold shape in the dough.
Flavor Twists: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or almond extract can elevate the flavor in unexpected but delightful ways.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Colorful Wreath Butter Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by whisking together the unsalted butter and icing sugar until the mixture is creamy and fluffy—that’s the magic base for tender cookies. I find using an electric mixer here speeds things up, but a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease will do the trick, too!

Step 2: Incorporate Egg White and Flavorings

Next, add the egg white and whisk it in thoroughly. Then pour in vanilla extract and continue mixing until everything is fully blended. This step ensures the dough binds well but stays soft enough for shaping.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients and Form Dough

Gently fold in the salt, all-purpose flour, and cornstarch. I prefer using a spatula here to keep the dough light and avoid overworking it, which can make cookies tough. Once everything comes together, weigh the dough and divide it evenly.

Step 4: Color and Prepare the Dough

Color one half of the dough with red gel food colouring a little at a time until you’re happy with the shade. Place each colored dough portion into separate piping bags. Then, pipe alternating stripes of dough onto plastic wrap, layering gently—two layers of each color works best for a dramatic effect without bleeding.

Step 5: Shape the Cylinders and Fill the Star Nozzle Bag

Roll the dough carefully into a tight cylinder using the plastic wrap. Trim off any excess wrap to avoid awkward lumps. Insert this cylinder into another piping bag fitted with a star-shaped nozzle—choose one about 1cm in diameter or around ⅓ inch. Avoid smaller nozzles as they can squash the colors together too much.

Step 6: Pipe Your Wreaths

Pipe dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, forming perfect circles that resemble little wreaths. If the joint where you finish the circle looks uneven, gently tap it with your finger to smooth it out. Sprinkle your favorite festive sprinkles on top to add texture and fun.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10-12 minutes. Watch closely—they should be dry to the touch but not golden. It's that perfect soft, buttery texture that we’re after!

Top Tip

From my experience making the Colorful Wreath Butter Cookies Recipe several times, a few little tricks made all the difference in achieving the perfect look and texture.

Precise Measurement: Weigh your flour and butter—small differences can change the dough’s texture drastically here.
Don’t Overmix: When adding the flour and cornstarch, fold gently instead of stirring vigorously to keep cookies tender.
Star Nozzle Size: Bigger than 1cm/⅓ inch nozzle gives you beautifully defined ridges without blending colors too much.
Sprinkle Timing: Add your sprinkles right before baking, so they stick well but don’t dissolve or burn.

How to Serve Colorful Wreath Butter Cookies Recipe

Colorful Wreath Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to use festive, colorful sprinkles—reds, greens, little silver balls—to enhance that holiday wreath vibe. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a snow-dusted effect that’s just dreamy.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider. For a brunch spread, I love serving them alongside fresh fruit and a mild cheese board to balance sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve gifted these cookies wrapped in clear cellophane tied with festive ribbon, or arranged in decorative tins with layers of parchment paper. For parties, placing them on a platter with some fresh holly or pine sprigs makes the presentation extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They typically stay fresh and buttery soft for up to a week, which is perfect for nibbling over coffee or packing in lunchboxes.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! After baking and cooling completely, I freeze them in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a sealed bag. They keep well for 2-3 months, which means you can enjoy them well beyond the holiday season.

Reheating

To refresh frozen cookies, I let them thaw at room temperature and, if needed, warm them briefly in a 150°C (300°F) oven for 3-4 minutes. This revives their softness and that lovely fresh-baked aroma almost instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is best for this recipe because it provides intense color without altering the dough’s consistency. Liquid coloring can make the dough too soft and unpredictable for piping.

What’s the best way to get an even color swirl?

Using thick, consistent strips of dough when piping onto plastic wrap helps keep the colors distinct. Rolling the dough tightly into a cylinder and using the correct piping nozzle also prevents color mixing.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the dough up to a day in advance, keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature before piping for the best consistency.

Why do my cookies spread too much when baking?

This usually happens if the dough is too warm or overmixed. Make sure the dough is chilled and handle it gently to maintain structure. Also, using the correct measurement of flour and cornstarch is key to prevent spreading.

Final Thoughts

This Colorful Wreath Butter Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s one of those treats that fills the air with nostalgia and joy. I can't recommend it enough if you want something gorgeous, tasty, and genuinely fun to bake with family and friends. Give it a try and watch your cookie game glow with a festive sparkle!