Chocolate Vanilla Swirl Icebox Cookies Recipes

VANILLA AND CHOCOLATE SWIRL COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder together.
• Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter until it's smooth.
• Add the sugars and blend until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Then add the vanilla extract and beat for another minute or until it is combined.
• Now add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture one third at a time, stirring well after each addition until the dough is evenly blended.
• Divide the dough in half, keeping one half of the dough in the mixer and setting the other half aside while you prepare the chocolate layer.
• Add the unsweetened cocoa powder to the mixer and combine until it is fully incorporated. This may take a few minutes.
• Remove the chocolate dough from the mixer and divide the chocolate dough into TWO pieces.
• Form each chocolate piece of dough into 1/2 inch thick squares and wrap them individually in plastic wrap.
• Divide the vanilla dough into TWO pieces, form each vanilla piece of dough into 1/2 inch thick squares and wrap them individually in plastic wrap.
• You should now have two squares of chocolate dough and two squares of vanilla dough all wrapped individually.
• Refrigerate all four squares of dough until firm; about one to two hours.
• Unwrap one piece of the chilled vanilla dough leaving it on top of the plastic wrap.
• Cover it with a second piece of plastic wrap, then using a rolling pin, roll out the vanilla dough into a rectangle measuring about 9X12 inches.
• If the dough gets too soft and difficult to roll, simply slide it onto a baking sheet and refrigerate until it's firm again; no longer than 10 minutes.
• Unwrap one piece of the chilled chocolate dough, leaving it on top of the plastic wrap.
• Cover it with a second piece of plastic wrap, and roll it out into a 9X12 inch rectangle shape as well.
• Again, if the dough gets too soft and difficult to roll, simply slide it onto a baking sheet and refrigerate until it's firm again.
• Remove the top pieces of plastic wrap from both the vanilla rolled dough and the chocolate rolled dough.
• Carefully invert the chocolate dough on top of the vanilla dough.
• Remove the top piece of plastic wrap from the chocolate dough.
• Gently roll over the top of both layers with a rolling pin to make the doughs slightly stick together.
• Starting at one end, lift the vanilla dough up by the plastic wrap underneath and roll up the doughs into one big log, pressing gently as you roll to help adhere both layers together and peeling the plastic wrap away as you roll.
• Wrap the log in a fresh piece of plastic wrap and refrigerate for another 2 hours.
• Repeat this process with the remaining piece of vanilla and chocolate dough.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Remove the logs from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap.
• Lay the log on a cutting board and slice into 1/4 inch thick rounds.
• Place the slices onto a baking sheet that's been lined with parchment paper.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 13 minutes.
• The cookies will still be a little soft to the touch and slightly brown on the edges.
• Let cool slightly before enjoying.

CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually add SPLENDA® Sugar Blend, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
• Melt chocolate in a 1-cup glass measuring cup at HIGH in a microwave oven for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted, stirring twice. Set aside.
• Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to SPLENDA® Sugar Blend mixture, beating until blended. Do not over beat. Divide dough into half. Stir melted chocolate into half of mixture.
• Place dough on a lightly floured work surface.
• For Checker Board Cookies, shape chocolate dough into 2 rectangular logs approximately 1-inch in diameter. Repeat procedure with vanilla dough. Cut each log lengthwise into quarters. Reassemble logs, alternating chocolate and vanilla to form a checkerboard pattern. Proceed as directed below.
• For Pinwheel Cookies, roll chocolate dough into 2 (8- x 9- inch) rectangles. Roll vanilla dough into 2 (8- x 10-inch rectangles) Place the vanilla layer on bottom so that it extends 1 inch beyond the chocolate layer; roll as for a jellyroll. Proceed as directed below.
• For Striped Cookies, divide each flavor into 3 balls. Roll each ball into a 7 1/2- x 3-inch rectangle; cut each rectangle into 5 (1 1/2- x 3-inch strips). Stack 5 strips alternating chocolate and vanilla. Proceed as directed below.
• Wrap logs in plastic wrap and chill cookie dough for one hour or until slightly firm. (Dough can be frozen up to three months at this point).
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
• Remove dough from refrigerator. Slice cookies 1/4-inch thick and place on prepared cookie sheets.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are lightly browned. Cool slightly on cookie sheets; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

CHOCOLATE VANILLA SWIRL ICEBOX COOKIES

Steps:

• Begin with the vanilla dough. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully combined. Add the flour and salt and mix until just combined. Place the dough in a bowl or on a clean counter while you prepare the chocolate dough.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Beat in the egg yolk, cooled chocolate, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Add the flour, cocoa powder and salt and mix until just combined. Place the dough in a separate bowl. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1-2 hours.
• Once the dough has firmed up, use your fingers to roll about 2 tablespoons of vanilla dough into a a long snake about 8″ long. It helps to do this on a flat, non-stick surface. Repeat until you have three rolls of vanilla dough and three rolls of chocolate. Combine the smaller rolls into one big roll and twist together carefully - you don't want to break the dough.
• You should have a thick, twisted log of dough at this point. Roll the dough gently to flatten out the sides, being careful not to make the log too thin - it should be about 2" diameter. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least one hour or up to 2 weeks. Repeat with the remaining dough until all has been used.
• Preheat oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice cookies 1/4" thick and place 1 inch apart on baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.
• Dough can be frozen for up to 6 months.

CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA SWIRL COOKIES

Steps:

• To make the vanilla layer, whisk the flour and salt together in a medium bowl. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add egg yolks and vanilla until combined, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed. Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture until combined, about 30 seconds. Transfer the dough to a clean counter and divide it in half. Roll each piece of dough into a 6-inch log about 2 inches thick. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
• To make the chocolate layer, whisk the flour, cocoa powder and salt together in a medium bowl; set aside. Melt the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Let cool completely. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add egg yolks, cooled chocolate and vanilla until combined, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed. Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture until combined, about 30 seconds. Transfer the dough to a clean counter and divide it in half. Roll each piece of dough into a 6-inch log about 2 inches thick. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
• To make the cookies, preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Roll one vanilla dough log into a 12-inch square. Repeat with one chocolate dough log. Flip the chocolate dough on top of the vanilla dough so that the chocolate dough is layered on top of the vanilla dough. Gently roll over the top with a rolling pin to make the doughs stick to one another. Roll up the dough into one big log, pressing gently as you roll to adhere the dough. Carefully slice the log into 1/4-inch-thick cookies. Repeat with the remaining two dough logs. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Let cool and enjoy!

VANILLA-AND-CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD SWIRLS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Stop mixer and add flour mixture; mix on low speed until just combined. Remove half the dough; divide into two equal pieces, wrap in plastic, and set aside while you make the chocolate dough.
• In a small bowl, stir together cocoa, espresso, and 2 tablespoons hot water. Add cocoa mixture to remaining cookie dough and mix on low speed until color is uniform, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
• Place half the chocolate dough on a sheet of parchment and cover with a sheet of plastic wrap. Roll dough into a 14-by-10-inch rectangle (dough will be very thin but can be easily patched if it tears). Set aside, still covered with plastic. Repeat rolling process with remaining chocolate dough and both pieces of vanilla dough.
• Place one sheet of chocolate dough on work surface and remove plastic. Remove plastic from one sheet of vanilla dough and invert, still attached to its parchment backing, onto chocolate dough, pressing gently with the palm of your hand to adhere. Gently peel back parchment paper to remove. Continue layering with remaining chocolate and vanilla doughs. Position dough with one short side parallel to edge of work surface, then roll dough into a tight spiral. Wrap log in parchment and place in a cardboard paper-towel tube that has been cut open from end to end (this will help retain the round shape of the log of dough). Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment. Trim ends from dough. Slice dough 1/4 inch thick. Roll each cookie between sheets of parchment into an oblong disk about 3 inches long and 1/8 inch thick; transfer to prepared sheets. Bake until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cool completely. Working with one cookie at a time, dip an edge in melted chocolate and coat with pistachios. Transfer to fresh parchment-lined baking sheets and let stand until chocolate is set, 45 to 60 minutes.

CHOCOLATE-VANILLA MARBLED OR PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• For Marbled Cookies: Several hours ahead or the day before baking, in a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and beat again until blended. Add the flour mixture slowly, beating just until combined. Remove half the dough (about 9 oz) and set aside. Whisk the cocoa into the melted chocolate; add to the dough remaining in the mixing bowl. Beat briefly to blend. Divide the chocolate and vanilla doughs into 8 pieces each, more or less the same size. Recombine the pieces, alternately pressing the chocolate and vanilla pieces together, to create a marbled ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll and shape the ball into a 9-inch long log. Handle the dough as little as possible to keep the marbled pattern more distinct. Wrap in plastic and chill until very firm, 2 to 3 hours. To Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover your cookie sheets with parchment paper or silpat liners. Unwrap the firm dough and roll the log briefly on the counter to make it more evenly round. Cut it crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices; arrange slices 1-inch apart on prepared sheets. Bake until the edges are lightly browned, 9 to 11 minutes, rotating the sheets from top to bottom and front to back after 5 minutes (don't skip this step!). Remove from oven and cool on sheets for 5 minutes then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Note: The cookies can be tightly spaced as they don't really spread. Make sure you watch them closely for browning. If you cook them too long they will taste burned, even if they aren't. It is always easy to overcook a chocolate cookie. For Pinwheel Cookies: Prepare the vanilla and chocolate doughs as described above. Roll the vanilla dough out into a rectangle. Roll the chocolate dough into another rectangle slightly smaller than the vanilla. Lay the chocolate dough on top of the vanilla dough. Roll into a log starting at the long edge. Wrap in plastic and chill for 2 to 3 hours. Continue as described above.

VANILLA CHOCOLATE SWIRL COOKIES

Steps:

• Prepare the vanilla dough. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar for about 3-5 minutes until creamy. Add egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Incorporate flour and salt using a spatula or wooden spoon. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and shape into a rectangle.
• Prepare the chocolate dough. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar for about 3-5 minutes until creamy. Add egg yolk and mix until well combined. Incorporate flour, cocoa powder and salt using a spatula or wooden spoon. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and shape into a rectangle.
• Refrigerate vanilla and chocolate dough for 1-2 hours.
• Roll vanilla dough into a 9×12 inch (23x30cm) rectangle over a parchment paper. Use flour to make sure the rolling pin doesn't stick .
• Roll chocolate dough into a 9×12 inch (23x30cm) rectangle over a parchment paper. Use flour to make sure the rolling pin doesn't stick .
• Flip the chocolate dough on top of the vanilla dough. Roll up into a log, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Slice the log into ¼ inch (6mm) thick cookies. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets with distance between them.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes or until slightly golden on the edges.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Cool completely on cooling rack.

GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the almond flour, salt and baking soda to combine.
• Using a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed until very light, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the egg and mix on medium speed to combine. Scrape the bowl well, then add the vanilla and mix to combine.
• Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined, about 10 seconds. Scrape the bowl well and mix on low speed to ensure the mixture is homogenous.
• Add the chocolate and gently mix to incorporate it. Scoop the dough into 10 3 1/2 ounce/100-gram mounds of dough the size of generous golf balls, and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Stagger the rows to allow the cookies room to spread.
• Gently press the cookies down slightly with your fingers until about 1 1/2 inches thick. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt, if using. Bake the cookies, switching racks and rotating the sheets halfway through, until they're golden brown around the edges and just barely set in the center, 18 to 22 minutes. Transfer sheets to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then transfer cookies with a spatula onto another rack to cool a bit more.

CHEF JOHN'S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk flour, salt, and baking soda together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, cream the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together until mixture is light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk liquids together in small areas around the bowl, then all together to avoid separation.
• Pour dry ingredients into the wet ingredients; stir until flour is thoroughly mixed in. Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Transfer dough to a resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate until dough is firm, at least 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough and place on prepared baking sheet, leaving 4 inches of space between cookies (about 8 per sheet). Bake in preheated oven until cookies are golden brown, about 12 minutes. Slide parchment and cookies onto a cooling rack for a few minutes. Remove parchment and finish cooling the cookies on the rack.

CHOCOLATE VANILLA PINWHEEL COOKIES (SLICE-AND-BAKE SWIRL COOKIES)

Steps:

• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl and whisk to combine.
• In a separate bowl (or in a stand mixer), add the softened butter and beat until creamy. Then, gradually add the sugar, mixing constantly, until the mixture is a pale yellow and light and fluffy, with the sugar fully incorporated.
• Add the eggs (one at a time) and the vanilla to the creamed butter, mixing well in-between each addition.
• Finally, add the flour mixture incrementally, mixing in between, until a dough forms. It shouldn't be sticky.
• Weigh the biscuit dough and divide it into two even pieces. Wrap one in plastic wrap and return the other half to the mixer/bowl.
• Add the cacao powder, instant coffee, and cinnamon (if using) to the dough and mix well until incorporated.You can optionally chill the dough at this point for at least 30 minutes (up to a day) wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. However, I find it simpler to roll out into the rectangles first.
• Place the first dough ball between two sheets of parchment paper and roll into a rectangle that's as close to 9x14-inches (23x35cm) and ¼-inch (0.6cm) thick. Remove the excess to make it a neat rectangle (the scraps can make spare marbled chocolate vanilla cookies).I like to measure the size on the parchment paper first, marking it with a pencil (on the side opposite the dough). That way, you can use it as a guideline while rolling.
• Repeat this step with the other dough ball - make sure the dough sheets are equal in size. Then transfer both to the fridge for at least an hour to chill (or for up to a day).
• Decide which (chocolate or vanilla dough) you want to be the outer and inner swirl in the pinwheel cookies. OR, if you can't decide, you can even do half and half, as I did.
• Place the color you want to be the "outer" swirl on the counter first and peel away the top layer of parchment paper. Then, remove the parchment paper from the top of the other sheet and carefully flip it over, placing it on top of the first sheet. Then gently roll or press just to make sure the two adhere slightly.If you want half and half, now you can slice the sheets in half lengthwise and flip one over (so the color on the bottom is now on top).
• Now it's time to gently roll the cookie dough into logs. You can use the parchment paper underneath to lift and help you create the first roll. Roll the first roll tightly to avoid gaps in the cookies.If the dough cracks while rolling (more likely with the drier chocolate dough), just gently pinch it together and continue rolling. If there are cracks on the outer layer, roll it on the surface a little to smooth out the cracks.TOP TIP: If you're rolling a single log, I recommend rolling them from the longer side (for fewer swirls but a nice cookie size). If you roll from the short side, you'll have tons of swirls and larger cookies-it's up to you.If you're creating two logs (As I did), I like to roll from the short side to create a nice swirl within.
• Once rolled, re-wrap the roll/s in parchment paper. Then place back in the fridge to chill for an additional hour (or overnight). Alternatively, chill it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350ºF/175ºC.
• Remove the roll/s from the fridge. If the underside is slightly flat from resting in the fridge, lightly roll it on the surface to smooth it out. If you chilled the sugar cookie dough in the freezer, allow it a few minutes at room temperature before slicing.
• Slice the log into ¼-inch cookies and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, separated by around 1 inch.
• Place the baking tray on the middle shelf in the oven. Bake for between 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just becoming golden.It's best to bake one tray of cookies at a time (so it's in the middle of the oven). While baking the first back, you can prepare and cut the cookies for the second. Alternatively, you can save the rest for later (read the storage section below for details).
• Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Allow them to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring to a rack until fully cooled.
• Make ahead: there are several ways you can make these old-fashioned pinwheel cookies ahead.The mixed dough: wrap it in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to three months.The rolled cookie dough log: wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to three months. You can also gift the frozen logs to friends and family. That way, they can defrost (15-20 minutes at room temperature) and slice and bake the cookies when wanted.The sliced cookies: flash freeze the cookies spread out on a baking sheet (not touching) until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or Ziplock bag for 3 months.Store: allow the chocolate pinwheel cookies to cool and then store in an airtight container on the counter for 3-5 days. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw on the counter before serving.