Christmas Cookie Pinwheels are a delightful and colorful addition to your holiday festivities. These cookies are not only visually stunning with their swirls of red, white, and green but also offer a rich, buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or as edible gifts, they are a guaranteed showstopper.
PrintChristmas Cookie Pinwheels
🎄 Roll into the holiday spirit with buttery, festive Christmas Cookie Pinwheels! These vibrant swirls bring the joy of the season to every bite. 🎅✨ #HolidayBakingFun #PinwheelPerfection #FestiveTreats #CookiesForSanta #ChristmasMagic #BakingJoy #SweetCelebrations #DessertGoals #CheerfulEats #HolidaySwirls
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 16 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon liquid red food coloring (adjust to preference)
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon liquid green food coloring (adjust to preference)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients
Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. - Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together for 1-2 minutes until pale and fluffy. - Incorporate Egg and Vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. - Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in two additions. Mix until just combined, scraping the bowl as needed. - Divide Dough
Divide the dough into three equal parts. Roll each portion into a ball. - Add Colors
- For one portion, mix in red food coloring until evenly distributed.
- For the second portion, mix in green food coloring.
- Leave the third portion plain.
- Chill Dough
Flatten each dough portion into a square, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour until firm. - Roll Dough Layers
Roll each dough portion between parchment paper into 10-inch squares. Keep the parchment on and refrigerate for 30 minutes. - Assemble Pinwheels
- Remove parchment from one side of each dough layer.
- Stack the layers (red, plain, green) with non-parchment sides touching. Align edges as much as possible.
- Trim edges for a straight line.
- Roll Dough
Roll the stacked dough into a log, starting from a straight edge. Use the parchment to guide the rolling. Seal seams and fix any cracks gently. - Chill Log
Wrap the dough log in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour until firm. - Slice and Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
Slice the dough log into 1/4-inch rounds, discarding uneven ends. Place cookies 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, until set. - Cool and Serve
Cool cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for more intense colors with less liquid.
- If dough becomes too soft while rolling, chill it briefly to make it easier to handle.
- For a flavor twist, add a hint of almond extract or peppermint extract to the dough.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
The soft yet slightly crisp texture, combined with the vibrant colors, creates a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. The preparation involves layering and rolling dough, which results in the mesmerizing pinwheel design—a fun activity to share with family or friends.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon liquid red food coloring (adjust to preference)
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon liquid green food coloring (adjust to preference)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients
Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. - Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together for 1-2 minutes until pale and fluffy. - Incorporate Egg and Vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. - Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in two additions. Mix until just combined, scraping the bowl as needed. - Divide Dough
Divide the dough into three equal parts. Roll each portion into a ball. - Add Colors
- For one portion, mix in red food coloring until evenly distributed.
- For the second portion, mix in green food coloring.
- Leave the third portion plain.
- Chill Dough
Flatten each dough portion into a square, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour until firm. - Roll Dough Layers
Roll each dough portion between parchment paper into 10-inch squares. Keep the parchment on and refrigerate for 30 minutes. - Assemble Pinwheels
- Remove parchment from one side of each dough layer.
- Stack the layers (red, plain, green) with non-parchment sides touching. Align edges as much as possible.
- Trim edges for a straight line.
- Roll Dough
Roll the stacked dough into a log, starting from a straight edge. Use the parchment to guide the rolling. Seal seams and fix any cracks gently. - Chill Log
Wrap the dough log in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour until firm. - Slice and Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
Slice the dough log into 1/4-inch rounds, discarding uneven ends. Place cookies 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, until set. - Cool and Serve
Cool cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
Tips for Success
- Use gel food coloring for more intense colors with less liquid.
- If dough becomes too soft while rolling, chill it briefly to make it easier to handle.
- For a flavor twist, add a hint of almond extract or peppermint extract to the dough.
Variations
- Swap the red and green colors for other festive combinations, such as blue and white for a winter theme.
- Add festive sprinkles to the edges of the dough log before slicing for extra decoration.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings, packaging as gifts, or pairing with a mug of hot cocoa. Their vibrant design makes them the centerpiece of any dessert table, spreading holiday cheer with every bite.