Description
Capture the bold and magical essence of Gryffindor House with these Fiery Swirl Butterbeer Cookies! Soft, buttery sugar cookies infused with iconic butterbeer flavors and decorated with stunning red and gold icing swirls. Perfect for Harry Potter-themed parties, gifts for Potterheads, or a magical baking project.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup cream soda
For the Butterbeer Icing (Red and Gold):
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red and gold gel food coloring
Instructions
- Preparing the Cookie Dough: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Gradually mix in the flour mixture, alternating with the cream soda, until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chilling the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling prevents excessive spreading and helps develop flavors and texture.
- Baking the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into 1.5-inch balls and place them on the prepared sheet spaced evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Making the Fiery Swirl Icing: Beat the softened butter until creamy in a mixing bowl. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing on low speed until combined. Add heavy cream and vanilla extract, beating on medium-high until the icing is light, fluffy, and smooth. Divide the icing evenly into two bowls; color one with red gel food coloring and the other with gold until vibrant. Transfer each into piping bags side by side to achieve a swirl effect.
- Decorating the Cookies: Once cooled, pipe or spread the red and gold icing onto each cookie using swirling motions for a fiery Gryffindor look. Optionally, sprinkle edible glitter or themed sprinkles immediately after icing for extra sparkle. Allow icing to set completely before serving or packaging.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is vital for preventing cookies from spreading too much and helps keep them soft and thick.
- If the icing is too thick to pipe smoothly, add a small splash of heavy cream to reach the desired consistency.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookie dough balls in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months; thaw and ice when ready to use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Fantasy
Keywords: Gryffindor Cookies, Butterbeer Cookies, Harry Potter Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Themed Cookies, Butterbeer Icing, Red and Gold Swirl, Magical Treats
