These Vegan Viennese Whirl Cookies are a testament to the fact that you don’t need dairy or eggs to create a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth biscuit. With their light texture, delicate flavour, and elegant appearance, they're sure to impress everyone, vegan or not.
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If you’re looking for a delightful, buttery, and crumbly cookie that melts in your mouth, then Vegan Viennese Whirls are the perfect treat for you. These elegant biscuits, inspired by the classic British recipe (that shares the main ingredients of the German Linzer Cookies), are not only beautiful but also incredibly delicious and completely vegan. In this post, we'll show you how to make these plant-based Viennese whirls from scratch, offering you a step-by-step guide, tips for perfecting your bake, and variations to customize these delectable cookies to your taste.
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🌟What Are Viennese Whirls?
Viennese whirls are a type of buttery biscuit known for their light, melt-in-your-mouth texture and intricate swirl design. They taste similar to these Italian Canestrelli cookies, and they share the texture of Shortbread cookies but in this case they are traditionally sandwiched together with jam and buttercream.
The cookies are piped in a distinctive swirl pattern, such as Whipped Cookies, making them visually appealing and perfect for special occasions, afternoon teas, or simply as a luxurious treat with your coffee.
🗒️Ingredients and Tools
The beauty of these biscuits lies in their simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need to make vegan Viennese whirls:
Plant-Based Milk: A small amount helps bring the dough together, making it easy to pipe. Any type of plant milk will work, either sweetener or unsweetened.
Vegan Butter: The key to achieving the signature buttery taste and crumbly texture of Viennese whirls. Opt for a high-quality vegan butter or margarine that is firm yet creamy.
Powdered Sugar: This fine sugar ensures that the cookies have a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the biscuits, giving them the right amount of crispness.
Cornstarch (aka Cornflour): Adds a tender crumb to the cookies, making them even more delicate.
Vanilla Extract (or Vanilla Sugar): Enhances the flavour profile with a sweet, aromatic note.
Raspberry Jam: I recommend a seedless raspberry or strawberry jam, but feel free to experiment with other jam or marmalade flavours.
Piping Bag: A piping bag is essential to make these wonderful cookies. You can use disposable piping bags or washable. I personally use a silicone bag that's easy to wash. If you are planning to buy some, I highly recommend to purchase this kit, that also comes with nozzles.
Nozzle(s): To give these vegan cookies their iconic swirls you can only achieve it with a "soft swirl" nozzle aka "closed star". You can purchase it singularly here or as part of a piping kit, like the one I recommended before.
For the filling you can also use a star nozzle or a simple cut in the piping bag, depending on the finish you want to give.
Cooling Rack: Placing the biscuits on a proper cooling rack will ensure the are cooled through before filling step.
🔪 How to Make Vegan Viennese Whirl Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Begin by beating the vegan butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, giving the cookies their light texture. Gradually add the vanilla extract, followed by the flour and cornstarch. Mix until you have a smooth, pipeable dough. If the dough is too thick, add a splash of plant-based milk to achieve the right consistency.
Step 2: Pipe the Cookies
Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle. Pipe small swirls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. To ensure even baking, make sure all the cookies are the same size and thickness.
Step 3: Bake
Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 12-15 minutes or until they are just starting to turn golden around the edges. Avoid overbaking as you want the cookies to remain pale and delicate. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet.
Step 4: Prepare Buttercream Filling
While the cookies are baking, make the vegan buttercream by simply whisking the dairy-free butter and icing sugar together until sweet and thick. Then transfer into another piping bag with a nozzle of your choice or simply with the end cut out.
Step 5: Assemble the Vegan Viennese Whirl Cookies
Once cooled, pair up the cookies by size. Spread a dollop of your favourite jam on one cookie and pipe a swirl of vegan buttercream on the other. Sandwich them together gently and enjoy!
✍🏻Variations
Chocolate-Dipped: Once assembled, dip half of each whirl into melted vegan chocolate and allow it to set. This adds a rich, indulgent twist to the classic.
Flavoured Buttercream: Experiment with different flavours of vegan buttercream. Try adding coffee, chocolate, or even a hint of lemon zest for a refreshing kick.
Jam Alternatives: While raspberry jam is traditional, feel free to use any jam or preserve of your choice. Apricot, strawberry, or blackberry would all work beautifully.
👩🏻🍳Tips for Perfect Vegan Viennese Whirls
Use Room Temperature Butter: Ensure that your vegan butter is at room temperature before you start. This makes it easier to cream with sugar and creates a smooth dough that’s easy to pipe.
Chill the Dough if Needed: If your dough becomes too soft or the kitchen is particularly warm, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes. This will firm up the dough, making it easier to pipe neat swirls.
Piping Technique: Hold your piping bag at a 90-degree angle to the baking sheet and apply even pressure as you pipe. Practice on a piece of parchment paper if you’re not confident in your swirling skills.
Don't Overbake: Viennese whirls should be pale and slightly golden around the edges. Overbaking will result in a hard, rather than delicate, biscuit.
🥡Storage
Store these Vegan Viennese Whirl Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze well; just make sure to freeze them in a single layer to prevent them from sticking together.
🍽️Serving Suggestions
Vegan Viennese whirls are perfect for afternoon tea or as a thoughtful homemade gift. Pair them with a hot cup of tea or coffee, or enjoy them on their own as a delightful sweet treat.
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