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    Home » Dessert Recipes » Cookie Recipes

    Published: Jul 8, 2019 · Modified: Jul 20, 2023 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

    Viennese Whirls Butter Cookies

    Jump to Recipe

    Viennese Whirls Butter Cookies are a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treat. They're light as a feather, utterly scrumptious, and last but not least, really pretty!

    Viennese Whirls Butter Cookies on a wooden board.

    I've been a big fan of The Great British Baking Show (find it on Netflix) for many years. It was in a technical challenge during season 4 that I first learned about, and fell in love with the look of Viennese Whirls.

    I wasn't sure why, but I knew those beautiful little swirled biscuits were calling my name. Now I know! I am going on record to declare these Viennese Whirls Butter Cookies my very favorite biscuit on earth!

    Table of Contents Found Here
    • The ingredient list:
    • Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
    • This recipe is written in cups and not grams. Why?
    • What is the purpose of cornstarch in a cookie recipe?
    • This isn't Mary Berry's traditional Viennese Whirl biscuit recipe. Why?
    • Check out Mary Berry's Viennese Whirl Biscuit recipe.
    • The easy instructions for making Viennese Whirls:
    • Printable Recipe Card
    • Please comment if you've made this recipe.

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. IT'S FREE!! Thanks, and I can't wait to see you there!!
    Closeup photo of delicate Viennese Whirls cookies on a wooden board with a confectioners sugar dusting.

    The ingredient list:

    **Note - The following list of ingredients contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.

    • Butter softened (salted or unsalted, I use salted)
    • Confectioners Sugar
    • All-Purpose Flour
    • Cornstarch
    • Pure Vanilla Extract
    • Salt

    Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

    **Note - The following list of tools and equipment contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.

    • Hand Mixer
    • Large Bowl
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Pastry Bag
    • Large Star Tip (for piping)
    • Baking Sheet
    • Parchment Paper
    • Spatula
    • Sifter or Confectioners Sugar Shaker (optional)

    This recipe is written in cups and not grams. Why?

    Even though I do have a kitchen scale at my disposal, I don't use it often.

    Since recipes written in the US are measured by cups, I converted the recipe I found online for Viennese Whirls into cups and adjusted the measurements (as needed) to make the dough stiff enough to hold its shape, but not overly stiff which would make it too hard to pipe.

    Closeup photo of a Viennese Whirl cookie sprinkled with confectioners sugar.

    What is the purpose of cornstarch in a cookie recipe?

    When cornstarch is combined with flour in a cookie recipe, it softens the gluten proteins of the flour and results in an exceptionally tender cookie.

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    This isn't Mary Berry's traditional Viennese Whirl biscuit recipe. Why?

    It's close, but I tweaked it just a tiny bit and put my Kudos Kitchen spin to it! I only added a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Nothing too drastic!

    Check out Mary Berry's Viennese Whirl Biscuit recipe.

    Title text vertical image of Viennese Whirls Cookies.

    The easy instructions for making Viennese Whirls:

    • Cream the softened butter with the confectioner's sugar.
    • Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and salt.
    • Blend to combine.
    Photo collage of how to make Viennese Whirls.
    Photo collage of how to make Viennese Whirls.
    • Spoon the batter into a piping bag that has been fitted with a large star tip. *Note - to make this task easier, place the piping bag into a tall glass. Fold the piping bag down and spoon the dough into the bag.
    • Use a pencil to outline 2" circles onto a parchment paper sheet.
    • Flip the parchment paper over so the cookie dough doesn't come into contact with the pencil lead, and place the parchment paper onto a baking sheet. *Note - to prevent the parchment from slipping or lifting as you pipe the whirls onto the paper, add a small touch of dough onto the corners of the cookie sheet and press the parchment paper onto the baking sheet.
    Photo collage of how to make Viennese Whirls.
    Photo collage of how to make Viennese Whirls.
    Photo collage of how to make Viennese Whirls.
    • Pipe rosettes within the circle template drawn on the parchment paper. *Note - to pipe the rosettes, apply even pressure to the piping bag squeezing gently but firmly. Working from the outside to the inside in a circular fashion.
    • Chill the piped rosettes in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
    • Preheat the oven to 375-degrees.
    • Bake the Viennese Whirls for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies are the faintest golden brown.
    • Remove to a baking rack to cool completely.
    • Once fully cooled, sprinkle each cookie with a dusting of confectioners sugar.
    Photo collage of how to make Viennese Whirls.

    When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.

    Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!

    Printable Recipe Card

    Tray of Viennese Whirls Butter Cookies

    Viennese Whirls Butter Cookies

    Renee Goerger
    These easy to make pretty shortbread cookies are extra buttery and extra delicious.
    Have you made this recipe?Please Comment and Rate
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Save this recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Chill Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Servings 16 cookies
    Calories 130 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 14 tablespoons butter softened
    • ¼ cup confectioners sugar plus additional for dusting
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     



    •  
      Cream the softened butter with the confectioner's sugar.








    •     
      Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and salt. Blend to combine.









    • Spoon the batter into a piping bag that has been fitted with a large star tip.
      *Note- to make this task easier, place the piping bag into a tall glass. Fold
      the piping bag down and spoon the dough into the bag.









    • Use a pencil to outline 2" circles onto a parchment paper sheet.








    • Flip the parchment paper over so the cookie dough doesn't come into contact
      with the pencil lead, and place the parchment paper onto a baking sheet. *Note
      - to prevent the parchment from slipping or lifting as you pipe the whirls
      onto the paper, add a small touch of dough onto the corners of the cookie
      sheet and press the parchment paper onto the baking sheet.









    • Pipe rosettes within the circle template drawn on the parchment paper. *Note
      - to pipe the rosettes, apply even pressure to the piping bag squeezing
      gently but firmly. Working from the outside to the inside in a circular
      fashion.









    • Chill the piped rosettes in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.








    • Preheat oven to 375-degrees.








    • Bake the Viennese Whirls for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies are the
      faintest golden brown.





    • Remove to a baking rack to cool completely.






    • Once fully cooled, sprinkle each cookie with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar.





    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookieCalories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 106mgPotassium: 11mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 305IUCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.4mg

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for Viennese Whirls Butter Cookies as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.

    Overhead photo of a wooden tray filled with Viennese Whirls Butter Cookies.

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!

    Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!

    Please don't forget to like and follow me across all of my SM channels, and while you're at it stop by and say hello! I'll be looking for you! 🙂

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    Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.50 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    1. Toni says

      July 11, 2019 at 7:33 pm

      5 stars
      These look awesome! A new favorite at my house!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        July 12, 2019 at 4:23 pm

        Awesome! Makes me happy, Toni!

        Reply
    2. Ashley F says

      July 11, 2019 at 1:30 am

      I love how easy and simple these are to make! The ingredient list being short is a plus!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        July 11, 2019 at 7:04 am

        Thank you, Ashley! Yes, it's a very manageable recipe list!

        Reply
    3. Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says

      July 08, 2019 at 10:11 pm

      I love how pretty these cookies are! Perfect for parties and showers. Even better that they are delicious!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        July 11, 2019 at 7:05 am

        Thank you, Dorothy!

        Reply
    4. Jennifer Farley says

      July 08, 2019 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      Not only are these so pretty, but they are also so delicious!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        July 08, 2019 at 9:55 am

        Glad you think so too, Jennifer! Thanks!!

        Reply
    5. Brandy O'Neill says

      July 08, 2019 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      Cookies that melt in your mouth are the best!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        July 08, 2019 at 9:55 am

        Definitely! 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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