Do Share Recipe

I recently tried making Viennese Whirls Recipe at home, and I have to say, they instantly became one of my favorite treats. The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies paired with creamy vanilla buttercream and sweet raspberry jam feel like a little bite of happiness. I love how elegant they look, yet they’re surprisingly easy to make. Every time I bake them, the house fills with the most comforting aroma of butter and vanilla.

Today, I’m excited to share my step-by-step guide so you can make these gorgeous cookies too. If you enjoy dishes like this, you might also like trying my chicken and mushroom risotto recipe, which has a rich, comforting flavor perfect for cozy nights.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for the perfect Viennese whirls. I’ll also share a few tips to make your cookies even better.

Cookies:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – gives the cookies their delicate texture; avoid using self-rising flour
1/4 cup cornstarch – makes the shortbread light and crumbly
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt – balances the sweetness
3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature – room temperature butter is key for a soft, pipeable dough
3/4 cup granulated sugar – provides sweetness without overpowering the butter
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons raspberry jam – for filling; choose a high-quality, smooth jam

Vanilla Buttercream:

1 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar – ensures a silky smooth frosting
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature – soft butter makes the cream easy to pipe
1 tablespoon milk – adds creaminess and helps adjust consistency
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste – for a rich vanilla flavor
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt – enhances the overall flavor

Note: This recipe makes approximately 18 sandwich cookies, perfect for sharing or gifting. If you like sweet and slightly spicy flavors, my sweet and spicy chicken recipe is another delicious option that pairs well with cozy meals.

Variations

You can customize your Viennese whirls in a few fun ways:

Swap raspberry jam with strawberry, apricot, or lemon curd for a flavor twist.
Make it dairy-free by using vegan butter in both cookies and buttercream.
Reduce sugar or use a sugar-free substitute for a lighter option.
Add a pinch of cocoa powder to the dough for chocolate-flavored whirls.

Cooking Time

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 12–15 minutes per batch
Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling and assembling)

Equipment You Need

Stand mixer – to cream butter and sugar smoothly
Pastry bag with large star tip – to create the signature swirl shape
Baking sheets – for even baking
Parchment paper – prevents sticking and keeps cookies uniform
Spatula – for folding and handling dough

How to Make Viennese Whirls Recipe?

Preparing the Dough

Start by combining flour, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl. Then, beat the butter and sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. This ensures your cookies have the classic melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Piping the Cookies

Transfer the dough into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe swirls onto parchment-lined baking sheets, keeping them evenly spaced. The swirls give the cookies their beautiful, signature look.

Baking and Cooling

Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden at the edges. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before filling. Cooling is key to prevent the buttercream from melting.

Making the Buttercream

Beat butter until smooth, then gradually add confectioners’ sugar, milk, vanilla bean paste, and salt. Mix until creamy and pipeable. The buttercream should hold its shape but still be soft enough to spread easily.

Assembling the Sandwiches

Spread or pipe a small amount of buttercream on the flat side of one cookie, add a teaspoon of raspberry jam, and sandwich with another cookie. Press gently to combine. Repeat until all cookies are filled.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

From my experience, these tips really help elevate the cookies:

I always sift the flour and cornstarch together to avoid lumps.
I chill the dough slightly if it’s too soft to pipe; it makes swirls cleaner.
Using fresh vanilla bean paste instead of extract adds an amazing depth of flavor.
I gently warm the jam before spreading to make it easier to work with.

How to Serve Viennese Whirls Recipe?

These cookies are perfect for tea parties or dessert platters. I love arranging them on a tiered cake stand with a dusting of powdered sugar for a classy touch. You can also garnish with a fresh raspberry on top of each swirl to add a pop of color.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a rough idea of what you’re getting per cookie:

Calories: 338 – a perfect indulgent treat
Protein: 2 g – light protein from butter and flour
Carbohydrates: 40 g – mainly from sugar and flour
Fat: 19 g – rich and buttery, the star of the cookie

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them crisp but soft enough to enjoy.

Freezing

You can freeze unfilled cookies for up to 2 months. Just thaw before assembling with buttercream and jam.

Reheating

No reheating needed; enjoy at room temperature. If desired, a few seconds in a warm oven will refresh their buttery aroma.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Here’s why I keep coming back to these Viennese whirls:

Easy to make – even beginners can pipe beautiful swirls with practice.
Elegant presentation – looks stunning on cookie platters or as gifts.
Customizable – change the jam or flavorings to suit your taste.
Classic flavor – buttery shortbread with creamy vanilla and fruity jam is a timeless combination.
Perfect for any occasion – holidays, tea parties, or just a sweet treat for yourself.

These Viennese whirls are a true crowd-pleaser, combining buttery shortbread with sweet fillings in a way that feels both fancy and comforting. Once you try them, I promise they’ll become a go-to recipe for special occasions or everyday indulgence.

Ben Carraoli