1-First Step: Soften 1 cup unsalted butter and measure all ingredients. Cream butter and 1 cup sugar in a large bowl with a mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This base ensures even mixing for flawless rainbow swirl cookies.

2-Second Step: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk 3 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt. Gradually add dry mix to wet, stirring until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep it tender. For gluten-free, use the blend now.

3-Third Step: Divide dough into 4 equal portions (about 1 cup each). Keep one plain white. Add a small dab of gel food color to each of the other three: pink to one, red to another, purple to the last. Knead gently until colors swirl through without fully blending. Vegan tip: Flax egg works here too.

4-Fourth Step: On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 12-inch thin rope. Lay ropes side by side: pink, white, red, purple. Pinch ends together and gently twist into a long spiral log. Coil the log into a disc or slice into ½-inch thick rounds. For hearts, press slices with a heart cutter. Chill on parchment for 30 minutes to firm up and prevent spreading.

5-Fifth Step: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line sheets with parchment. Place cookies 2 inches apart. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden; centers stay soft. Cool on sheets 5 minutes, then racks. Yields 24 colorful rainbow swirl cookies. Low-cal version: Bake 1 minute less for crispier bite.

6-Final Step: Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing hearts or sprinkles. Store as noted below. Total time: 1 hour active, plus chilling. These steps make valentines tie dye cookies foolproof for beginners.