Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe: Sweet Swirls of Joy

Biting into these delightful Christmas pinwheel cookies that swirl with festive colors and charm!

Spiraling red and green dough creates a mesmerizing visual treat that captures holiday magic.

Delicate layers twist together, promising a sweet experience that delights both eyes and taste buds.

Each cookie tells a story of playful creativity and seasonal joy.

The artful design might seem complicated, but simple techniques make these treats accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Rich butter and vibrant colors transform ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Trust you can master these whimsical cookies that will spark conversation and spread cheer at any gathering.

Why Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Are So Festive And Fun

• Create Festive Holiday Magic: These pinwheel cookies transform ordinary baking into a colorful Christmas celebration, bringing joy and excitement to your kitchen with their vibrant red and green swirls.
• Master Simple Yet Impressive Technique: The rolling and stacking method looks complicated but is surprisingly easy, allowing home bakers to create professional-looking cookies that will wow family and friends with minimal effort.
• Enjoy Delightful Texture and Flavor Combination: Crisp edges, soft centers, and a buttery vanilla base make these cookies a perfect treat that melts in your mouth while delivering a classic holiday taste experience.
• Quick and Stress-Free Preparation: Prepare the dough ahead of time, chill, and slice when ready to bake, making these cookies an ideal recipe for busy holiday schedules and spontaneous cookie cravings.

What You Need For Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• Flour: Provides structure and base for the cookie dough.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the cookies.

Notes: Use all-purpose flour for best results.

• Butter: Creates rich, tender texture with sweet flavor.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic, warm flavor.

Notes: Use unsalted butter for better flavor control.

• Red Gel Food Coloring: Creates vibrant red color for festive look.
• Green Gel Food Coloring: Creates vibrant green color for festive look.
• Sprinkles: Optional decorative border for extra festive touch.

Notes: Gel food coloring provides more intense color than liquid.

How To Roll Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Like A Pro

Step 1: Whip Up the Cookie Base

Grab a mixing bowl and combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Crack in an egg and splash of vanilla extract. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.

Step 2: Create Colorful Dough Sections

• Leave one portion pristine white
• Mix red gel food coloring into the second portion
• Blend green gel food coloring into the third portion

Knead each section until the color spreads evenly like a vibrant paint.

Step 3: Flatten and Chill Dough Layers

Roll each colored dough portion into a thin rectangle between parchment paper sheets. Pop the dough sheets into the refrigerator for a 30-minute cooling session. This helps the dough become more manageable and easier to work with.

Step 4: Stack and Align Colorful Layers

• Start with the white layer
• Place the red layer on top
• Finish with the green layer

Trim edges if needed to create a perfect alignment.

Step 5: Roll into a Festive Log

Using the parchment paper as a guide, gently roll the layered dough into a tight, compact log. Slide the log into the refrigerator and let it chill for 1 hour until firm.

Step 6: Slice and Bake the Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice the dough log into thin rounds and arrange them on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges look set but not browned.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For extra festive flair, roll the log in sprinkles before slicing for a colorful border.

Tips To Keep Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Looking Great

• Chill for Success: Refrigerate dough layers and the final log to prevent spreading and maintain crisp pinwheel design during baking.
• Color Carefully: Use gel food coloring for vibrant, even colors that won't alter dough consistency or texture.
• Slice Evenly: Use a sharp knife and gentle sawing motion to create uniform cookie rounds without squishing the delicate swirl pattern.
• Sprinkle Smartly: Roll cookie log in festive sprinkles before slicing for an extra holiday touch that adds crunch and visual appeal.
• Store Wisely: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

How To Store Christmas Pinwheel Cookies With Ease

• Refrigerate Cookies: Store completely cooled pinwheel cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the cookie log or baked cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies will maintain quality for 2-3 months when stored properly.
• Reheat Gently: Warm refrigerated cookies at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore their soft texture. For frozen cookies, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature.
• Restore Crispness: If cookies become slightly soft, crisp them up by placing on a baking sheet and warming in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

What Goes Well With Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• Pair with Festive Milk: Grab a chilled glass of whole milk to complement the sweet, buttery cookies. The creamy texture perfectly balances the crisp pinwheel edges and enhances the vanilla notes.
• Serve with Spiced Hot Chocolate: Brew a rich hot chocolate with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. The warm, comforting drink highlights the holiday spirit of these colorful cookies and provides a delightful contrast.
• Enjoy with Peppermint Tea: Steep a cup of refreshing peppermint tea to cleanse the palate. Its cool, minty flavor harmonizes with the cookie's sweetness and adds an extra festive touch to your holiday treat.
• Complement with Vanilla Bean Latte: Sip on a smooth vanilla bean latte that echoes the cookie's vanilla extract. The coffee's warmth and subtle sweetness create a luxurious pairing that elevates the pinwheel cookie experience.

Colorful Spins On Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• Chocolate Swirl Sensation: Replace the food coloring with cocoa powder for one dough portion, creating a rich chocolate and vanilla pinwheel effect that adds depth and elegance to the classic cookie design.
• Citrus Burst Cookies: Incorporate orange or lemon zest into the plain dough and use complementary colored food gels to create a vibrant, zesty version with bright, refreshing flavors.
• Spiced Holiday Remix: Blend warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into one dough portion, giving the cookies a cozy, festive aroma that captures the essence of winter celebrations.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Fold finely chopped nuts like pecans or almonds into one dough layer, introducing a delightful textural contrast and nutty undertone to the pinwheel cookies.

Questions About Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• What makes these pinwheel cookies special for Christmas?

The red and green color layers create a festive, holiday-inspired swirl that instantly brings Christmas cheer to your cookie platter. The color combination perfectly captures the traditional holiday spirit.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough log and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. This makes these cookies perfect for holiday prep and gives you flexibility in your baking schedule.

• How do I ensure my pinwheel layers stay neat and tight?

Use parchment paper when rolling the dough. This helps create smooth, even layers and prevents the dough from sticking. Chilling the dough between steps also helps maintain clean, crisp lines in your pinwheel design.

• Why use gel food coloring instead of liquid?

Gel food coloring provides more vibrant colors without adding extra moisture to the dough. This helps maintain the cookie’s texture and ensures the colors remain bright and consistent throughout the baking process.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 12 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas pinwheel cookies swirl holiday cheer with delightful red and white spirals of sweet nostalgia. Crisp, buttery layers invite warm memories of family gatherings and seasonal joy you’ll savor with each delicate, cheerful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Baking Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Seasoning and Leavening Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Red gel food coloring
• Green gel food coloring
• Sprinkles (optional, for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Craft the foundational mixture by whisking together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, setting it aside momentarily. In a separate spacious bowl, thoroughly blend butter and sugar until achieving a whipped, airy consistency. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, gently stirring until harmoniously combined.
2. Partition the dough into three uniform segments. Preserve one portion in its natural state. Infuse the second portion with vibrant red gel food coloring and the third with festive green gel food coloring, ensuring thorough and even pigmentation throughout each section.
3. Meticulously roll each dough portion into delicate rectangular sheets approximately 14-inch thick, utilizing parchment paper as a protective barrier. Refrigerate the dough sheets for half an hour to enhance malleability and ease of handling. Upon chilling, carefully layer the dough rectangles – commencing with the plain variant, followed by red, then green – trimming edges for precise alignment if necessary.
4. Employing the parchment paper as a guiding mechanism, delicately transform the stacked layers into a compact, tightly wound cylindrical form, initiating the roll from one elongated edge. Refrigerate the log for approximately one hour or until achieving a solid, manageable consistency.
5. Heat the oven to 350F (175C), preparing baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice the chilled dough log into precise 14-inch rounds, positioning them systematically with generous spacing. Bake for 1012 minutes, monitoring until edges appear set but not overly bronzed. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for five minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
6. For an optional whimsical touch, consider rolling the dough log in festive sprinkles prior to slicing, creating a playful, celebratory border around each delightful cookie.

Notes

• Soften butter at room temperature for easier creaming and smoother dough texture, ensuring even mixing without lumps.
• Chill dough between rolling and stacking to prevent color bleeding and maintain crisp, distinct layers in pinwheel design.
• Use gel food coloring for vibrant, concentrated colors that won’t water down the cookie dough or alter its consistency.
• Create uniform layers by rolling dough to exact thickness using wooden dowels or rolling pin guides for professional-looking cookies.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg