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    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Checkerboard & Swirl Shortbread Cookies

    Dec 17, 2021 · Modified: Dec 17, 2021 by Sandra Flegg

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    These attractive Checkerboard Shortbread Cookies are easier to make than you might think! The leftover dough can be made into Chocolate and Vanilla Swirls. A tasty Christmas treat!

    this recipe!

    I promise that once you make these cookies once, the next time will be a breeze. The dough is rolled and cut into strips, then stacked in alternating rows and chilled for one hour, sliced and baked.

    They look pretty on a Christmas baking tray and the combination of vanilla and chocolate shortbread is heavenly.

    I've added step-by-step instructions that will ensure you're successful with this recipe. You've got this!

    We love the swirl cookies with the remaining dough!

    ingredients

    • butter - Use salted butter at room temperature.
    • granulated sugar
    • cocoa power
    • vanilla - pure vanilla extract is best for flavour, however, you can also use artificial vanilla extract.
    • all-purpose flour

    step-by-step instructions

    You will need two ungreased or parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

    These cookies are baked in a 350°F oven. Oven will not be preheaedt at the start of the recipe as there is a one hour chill time for the cookie dough in the refrigerator.

    In a large mixing bowl, or bowl from a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. (about one minute)

    Add vanilla and beat just until combined.

    Gradually add flour, about ½ cup at a time, mixing just until combined.

    Divide the dough in half and place one-half of the dough in a small mixing bowl and add in the cocoa powder. You can use the mixer, or mix with clean hands or a wooden spoon until well-combined.

    Start with the vanilla dough: Place the dough between two pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap and roll out into a 7x7-inch square. Repeat with the chocolate dough.

    Trim the dough to exactly 7x7-inches and set aside the remaining dough to make swirl cookies.

    Cut each square into ¾ inch wide strips.

    Use a ruler to score the dough with a sharp knife to mark the ¾" for each cut line.

    I used a ruler and pizza cutter to cut the strips. Cut the vanilla strips and set aside.

    Cut the chocolate strips and set aside.

    If the dough tears a little as you move it, simply press it back together.

    Next, lay a piece of plastic wrap on the work surface. Carefully, lift three strips, one at a time, and lay them beside each other, alternating the vanilla and chocolate.

    Press the three pieces together lightly.

    On top of the first down, continue with a second, third and fourth layer using the opposite colours from one row to the next as follows:

    Row one: Chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate

    Row two: Vanilla, Chocolate, Vanilla

    Row three: Chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate

    Row four: Vanilla, Chocolate, Vanilla

    Wrap the brick in plastic wrap and press the sides and top together gently.

    Refrigerate for one hour.

    Next, you're ready to slice the cookies! Trim both ends of the dough with a sharp knife.

    Slice cookies ¼-inch thick and place on prepared baking sheet.

    Bake in 350°F oven, one sheet at a time for 8 to 10 minutes. The edges will be lightly browned and the top still a bit soft.

    Cool on wire cooling rack.

    how to make chocolate & vanilla swirl cookies

    To make the swirl cookies: Re-roll remaining dough into rectangles.  Place the chocolate piece over the vanilla piece and roll up on the long-side.  Pinch the edges to seal when you are finished rolling.  Slice into ¼-inch thick cookies and bake on parchment paper-lined baking sheets for 9 to 11 minutes until lightly browned at the edges.

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    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Checkerboard shortbread cookies on red tray.

    Checkerboard & Swirl Shortbread Cookies


    • Author: Sandra Flegg
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 60
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    These attractive Checkerboard Shortbread Cookies are easier to make than you might think! The leftover dough can be made into Chocolate and Vanilla Swirls. A tasty Christmas treat!


    Ingredients

    1 cup salt butter, softened at room temperature

    1 cup granulated sugar

    1 tbsp. vanilla

    ¼ tsp. salt

    2 and ½ cups all-purpose flour

    ¼ cup cocoa powder


    Instructions

    1. In a large mixing bowl, or bowl from a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. (about one minute)
    2. Add vanilla and beat just until combined.
    3. Gradually add flour, about ½ cup at a time, mixing just until combined.
    4. Divide the dough in half and place one-half of the dough in a small mixing bowl and add in the cocoa powder. You can use the mixer, or mix with clean hands or a wooden spoon until well-combined.
    5. Place the dough between two pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap and roll out into a 7x7-inch square. Start with the vanilla dough, then do the same with the chocolate dough.
    6. Trim the dough to exactly 7x7-inches and set aside the remaining dough to make smaller checkerboard cookies or swirl cookies.
    7. Cut each square into ¾ inch wide strips as detailed in steps 8 to 10. 
    8. Use a ruler to score the dough with a sharp knife to mark the ¾" for each cut line.
    9. I used a ruler and pizza cutter to cut the strips. Cut the vanilla strips and set aside.
    10. Cut the chocolate strips and set aside.
    11. Next, lay a piece of plastic wrap on the work surface. Carefully, lift three strips, one at a time, and lay them beside each other, alternating the vanilla and chocolate.
    12. Press the three pieces together lightly.
    13. On top of that row, continue with a second, third and fourth layer using the opposite colours from one row to the next as follows:
    14. Row one: Chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate Row two: Vanilla, Chocolate, Vanilla Row three: Chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate Row four: Vanilla, Chocolate, Vanilla.
    15. Wrap the brick in plastic wrap and press the sides and top together gently.
    16. Refrigerate for one hour.
    17. Trim both ends of the dough with a sharp knife.
    18. Slice cookies ¼-inch thick and place on prepared baking sheet.
    19. Bake in 350°F oven, one sheet at a time for 8 to 10 minutes. The edges will be lightly browned and the top still a bit soft.
    20. Cool on wire racks.

    Notes

    1. You can also use unsalted butter in this recipe.  If you use unsalted, add ¼ tsp. salt with the flour before adding to the butter mixture.
    2. Storage instructions: Store cooled cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. 
    3. Freezing instructions: Freeze cooled cookies between in single layers, between parchment paper, sealed in a freezer safe container or ziplock bag. 
    4. To make the swirl cookies: Re-roll remaining dough into rectangles.  Place the chocolate piece over the vanilla piece and roll up on the long-side.  Pinch the edges to seal when you are finished rolling.  Slice into ¼-inch thick cookies and bake on parchment paper-lined baking sheets for 9 to 11 minutes until lightly browned at the edges.
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven Baked
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: Checkerboard Shortbread Cookies

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ann

      January 19, 2022 at 7:59 pm

      These are excellent and look just like the picture. The directions are amazing to follow.

      Reply
      • Sandra

        January 19, 2022 at 9:21 pm

        That's so great to hear! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know! 🙂 Sandra

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sandra! Welcome to my kitchen. A self-taught cook, I love being in the kitchen. My inspiration is the people who I love the most - my family. Here you will find simple family recipes with photos that will inspire you to cook from scratch.  More about me

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