Hypnotizing Swirl Cookies

Directions

1. In a food processor, combine 2 cups of the flour (reserve the remaining 3/4 cup), baking powder, salt, confectioner's sugar, and granulated sugar. Pulse to mix. Add the cold butter pieces and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add vanilla extract and process in short bursts (about 3 seconds each) until a dough forms. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Place one part in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and add the orange gel color, mixing until evenly tinted. If the dough feels sticky, add flour a tablespoon at a time until it's soft but not tacky. Repeat with the remaining dough and colors (purple, green, black).
2. Roll each colored dough between sheets of parchment paper into a rough 12x9-inch rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. Remove the top parchment from the orange rectangle. Use the bottom parchment to lift the purple rectangle and carefully invert it onto the orange dough. Press gently and peel off the top parchment. Repeat the stacking process, adding green on top of purple, then black on top. After stacking, flip the entire stack onto a large piece of wax paper so the orange layer is on top. Roll the stacked dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness.
3. Take off the top wax paper and trim the edges to make a neat rectangle. Starting from the longest side, roll the dough tightly like a jelly roll, using your fingertips to gently press the edge to prevent air pockets. The black layer will be on the outside; if it cracks, just pinch the tears closed—it's normal. Once fully rolled, roll the log in the Halloween nonpareils until coated. Wrap in parchment paper and chill for about 3 hours, until firm enough to slice.
4. Preheat your oven to 325°F and line two baking sheets with parchment. Carefully slice the chilled log into 1/4-inch cookies, cutting through the nonpareils as little as possible. Arrange on the prepared sheets and bake for 12 to 15 minutes—they should be slightly puffed and not shiny on top. You can freeze the unbaked dough for up to 2 months; just thaw it in the refrigerator until soft enough to slice. Serve these hypnotizing swirls at your Halloween gathering and watch them disappear!