Pin it
This fancy chocolate chip cookie dough twist turns ordinary cookie dough into a stunning pastry that's just right for morning get-togethers or afternoon snacks. When flaky puff pastry meets gooey chocolate chip cookie filling, you get a mouthwatering treat that wows people before they even take their first bite.
I came up with these twists for my kid's birthday when I needed something cool but was running short on time. The swirly pattern caught all the children's attention, and they've turned into our favorite quick fancy treat when regular cookies just won't cut it.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: make sure it's soft for a smooth cookie dough base that'll twist up nicely
- Brown sugar: gives moisture and that sweet caramel taste that works so well with chocolate
- Granulated sugar: helps get the cookie dough just right and adds the perfect sweetness
- Vanilla extract: makes everything taste better and adds a warm touch, try to get the real stuff
- All-purpose flour: heat it up first for safety while keeping the cookie dough texture perfect
- Salt: a tiny bit makes the chocolate and other flavors pop
- Mini chocolate chips: spread evenly throughout the twists, though bigger ones work too
- Puff pastry: make sure it's not frozen anymore, this gives you those amazing flaky layers without any trouble
- Egg: brush it on top to get that pretty golden color
- Optional sugar: sprinkle on top for extra crunch and sweetness
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get Everything Hot and Ready:
- Set your oven to 375°F and put parchment on a baking sheet. This heat makes the pastry puff up perfectly while warming the cookie dough inside without cooking it too much. The parchment stops sticking and makes cleanup super easy.
- Mix Up Your Cookie Dough:
- Beat the butter with both sugars until it looks lighter and gets fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This puts air in the mix for the best texture. Mix in vanilla, your heated flour, and salt until everything's combined. Then gently stir in those mini chocolate chips so they spread out evenly.
- Get Your Pastry Ready:
- Roll out your puff pastry on a lightly floured counter until it's a bit thinner than when you bought it. You want it about 1/8 inch thick so it layERS well without tearing. Spread your cookie dough over half the pastry, leaving a small edge around the sides.
- Put Together Your Twists:
- Fold the empty pastry half over the cookie dough half and lightly press the edges together. With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut 1-inch strips across the fold. Now each strip has cookie dough sandwiched between pastry.
- Make Them Twisty:
- Hold each strip at both ends and twist in opposite ways to make a spiral. The more you twist, the fancier they'll look. Put each twist on your prepared baking sheet with space between them since they'll get bigger.
- Make Them Pretty:
- Brush beaten egg all over each twist to get that beautiful gold color. If you want, sprinkle some sugar on top for extra sweetness and a bit of crunch.
- Bake Until Golden:
- Put them in your hot oven for 12-15 minutes, but keep an eye on them after 10. They're done when they've puffed up big and turned golden brown. The outside should feel crisp but the middle should still be a little soft.
- Cool Before Eating:
- Let the twists sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so the hot cookie dough can firm up a bit. This makes them easier to pick up. They taste best while they're still warm.
The best thing ever happened when I made these for a holiday party. My usually quiet father-in-law took one bite and said they were the tastiest things I'd ever baked. There's something about the familiar cookie dough taste mixed with the fancy twisted pastry that just makes people happy.
Storage Solutions
These cookie dough twists stay fresh in a sealed container at room temperature for up to two days. The pastry stays fairly crisp and the cookie dough center stays nice and soft. If you need to keep them longer, put them in the fridge for up to five days, though they won't be as crisp. To perk them up, warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes, which brings back some crispness without making the filling too hot.
Clever Substitutions
What's great about this recipe is how easy it is to change up. For people who can't have dairy, swap in plant-based butter and dairy-free chocolate chips. You can find dairy-free puff pastry at most fancy grocery stores too. If you don't want regular sugar, try coconut sugar instead of brown sugar, though it'll give you a different taste with more caramel hints. Don't like chocolate chips? Try butterscotch chips, broken-up candy bars, or even just swirl in some fruit jam for totally different flavors.
Serving Suggestions
Turn these twists from simple snacks into fancy desserts with a few extras. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream when they're still warm for an amazing hot-and-cold treat. For brunch parties, set them on a tiered plate with fresh berries and whipped cream so guests can fix their own plates. During the holidays, dust them with powdered sugar right before serving to make them look snow-covered, which kids and grown-ups both love. For an extra special touch, drizzle warm caramel, melted chocolate, or cream cheese glaze over the cooled twists to make them look like they came from a fancy bakery.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why is it necessary to heat-treat the flour?
Heating the flour removes any harmful bacteria, making the dough safe to eat even if it isn't fully baked. Just spread the flour on a tray and bake at 350°F for five minutes until it hits 165°F.
- → Can I prepare the dough beforehand?
Of course! You can make the dough up to 3 days ahead. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. Let it sit at room temp before you spread it on the pastry so it's easier to handle.
- → How do I store the leftover twists?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days. To make them fresh again, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. If freezing, store up to a month and reheat straight from frozen.
- → Can homemade pastry be used for this?
Sure thing! If you're using homemade puff pastry, roll it to about 1/8-inch thick before adding the dough. The homemade buttery layers can make it even tastier.
- → What fun tweaks can I try?
Mix things up with white chocolate, candy sprinkles, nuts, or peanut butter chips in the dough. After baking, drizzle on melted chocolate, caramel, or sprinkle powdered sugar for added yum!
- → Why did my twists come apart in the oven?
Warm pastry can lose its shape. Chill your twists for 15 minutes before baking to keep them intact. Also, lightly press the edges when folding to help them stay shut.