Soft Spiral Cookies: Perfect for a Delicious Breakfast!

Imagine biting into a buttery cookie still warm from the oven, soft on the inside with a delicate sugar crunch on the outside. Now imagine doing that twelve times in a row.

That’s the kind of morning these Soft Spiral Cookies are built for. They are best eaten when you’re lounging in pajamas with a strong cup of coffee or orchestrating a breakfast buffet that would make brunch royalty jealous. Made with flour, egg, olive oil, and kefir, these cookies have a tender crumb and a touch of vanilla-sugar sweetness.

What Are Soft Spiral Cookies?

Soft spiral cookies are lightly sweet cookies made with a yogurt or kefir-based dough and are a popular go-to in Eastern Europe. In regions like the Balkans, Turkey, and the Caucasus, bakers have long used tangy dairy like kefir or yogurt in doughs to enhance tenderness and flavor

The “spiral” shape, too, is a humble but meaningful touch. Spirals have appeared in countless traditional pastries around the world, from the Greek koulouri to the Turkish çörek and the Georgian khachapuri. So while soft spiral cookies may not come from a single ancestral recipe book, they carry the spirit of many, simple ingredients, that are shaped by hand, and baked with love.

Pro Tips for the Best Soft Spiral Cookies

• Use full-fat kefir for the richest, softest dough. If kefir isn’t available, substitute with buttermilk or a mix of yogurt and milk.
• That 30-minute rest after shaping the balls is non-negotiable. It relaxes the gluten and makes the cookies easier to shape and softer once baked.
• When forming your spirals, roll each dough ball into a rope gently, no need to press down too hard. Overworking the dough can toughen the final cookies.
• Before baking, roll each spiral generously in granulated sugar. This not only adds sweetness but creates a delicate crackly crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my cookies not soft?

Overbaking will lead to soft cookies. These cookies are meant to be just golden at the edges, not browned all over. Also, make sure to let the dough rest, rushed dough can cause tougher cookies.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can refrigerate the dough balls overnight, covered with cling film, and shape and bake them the next day. Just let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling.

What’s the best way to shape the spirals?

Roll each dough ball into a rope, then gently twist or coil it into a spiral shape.

How to Store Soft Spiral Cookies

Keep your cookies soft and fresh by storing them in a container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

You can also place the spirals on a tray and freeze until solid. Then, transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months.

How to Make Soft Spiral Cookies

Step 1

Step 1

Crack the egg and add kefir, sugar, vanilla sugar, salt, and olive oil in a bowl. Mix until smooth and well combined.

Crack the egg and add kefir, sugar, vanilla sugar, salt, and olive oil in a bowl. Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 2

Step 2

Then gradually stir in flour and baking powder. Once it gets too thick to stir, roll up your sleeves and knead it with your hands until you have a compact dough.

Then gradually stir in flour and baking powder. Once it gets too thick to stir, roll up your sleeves and knead it with your hands until you have a compact dough.

Step 3

Step 3

Split your dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball, cover them with cling film, and let them rest for 30 minutes.

Split your dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball, cover them with cling film, and let them rest for 30 minutes.

Step 4

Step 4

After resting, roll each ball into a rope and gently twist it into a spiral.

After resting, roll each ball into a rope and gently twist it into a spiral.

Step 5

Step 5

Roll each cookie in granulated sugar to give it that signature crackly coat.

Roll each cookie in granulated sugar to give it that signature crackly coat.

Step 6

Step 6

Place each spiral on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in an oven at 180°C (360°F) for about 35 minutes.

Place each spiral on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in an oven at 180°C (360°F) for about 35 minutes.

Step 7

Step 7

Let them cool just enough to hold without scalding your fingertips and dig in!

Let them cool just enough to hold without scalding your fingertips and dig in!