No two marble star cookies are exactly alike.
The sparkling sugar, although optional, adds a nice finishing crunch as well as a bit of sparkle.
The mesmerizing swirls in these cookies are also surprisingly easy to re-createjust follow the step-by-step photos weve included below.
Credit:Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
How Do You Make a Marbled Effect?
Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat in egg, vanilla bean paste, and almond extract until combined, 15 to 30 seconds.
Credit:Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
Reserve one-third plain dough.
Transfer dough to a clean work surface.
Layer and arrange dough:
Divide each piece of dough in half to yield 6 portions total.
Credit:Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
Shape 1 deep blue dough portion into a 6-inch square; place on top of light blue square.
Repeat layers once with remaining dough.
Fold stacked dough in half toward yourself, creating a taco-like shape.
Credit:Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
Slice dough crosswise into quarters.
Turn quarters cut sides up; press dough quarters together, creating a swirled design.
Cut dough in half; shape each half into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap.
Credit:Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
Chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
Roll out dough:
Roll 1 dough disk between 2 sheets of parchment paper to 1/4-inch thickness.
Cut out cookies:
Remove top piece of parchment paper.
Credit:Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
Cut dough using a very lightly floured 3- to 3 3/4-inch star cookie cutter; do not remove scraps.
Transfer dough on parchment paper to a baking sheet, and freeze until firm, about 5 minutes.
Place cut dough shapes at least 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
Credit:Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
Reroll, cut, and chill dough scraps as needed.
(Stars will become more blue than marbled with each reroll.)
Sprinkle tops with sparkling sugar (if desired).
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
