Get ready to bake some holiday magic! This Christmas pinwheel cookies recipe creates vibrant, eye-catching treats perfect for your festive spread. Their beautiful red and green swirls make them look intricate, but they are surprisingly simple to master. You will love bringing these cheerful Christmas pinwheel cookies to life in your kitchen, making them a delightful addition to any seasonal celebration or cookie exchange. They’re a truly easy way to add homemade charm.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
You’ll adore this Christmas pinwheel cookies recipe for so many delightful reasons! It effortlessly brings joy and ease to your holiday baking, making it a fantastic choice.
- They are a visually stunning addition to any holiday platter, with their vibrant red and green swirls truly capturing festive cheer.
- Each bite offers a classic, delicious sugar cookie flavor that everyone loves, bringing comforting nostalgia to your celebrations.
- Baking them is a wonderfully fun and satisfying project for the whole family to enjoy, creating lasting holiday memories together.
- They are surprisingly simple to make, even for beginner bakers, thanks to our clear, step-by-step instructions for success.
- Perfect for making ahead, you can easily prepare the dough in advance, saving valuable time during busy holiday preparations.
Ingredients for Your Easy Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Gather these simple ingredients to create your beautiful Christmas pinwheel cookies recipe:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring (for desired color intensity)
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon green gel food coloring (for desired color intensity)
Notes & Substitutions
For the most vibrant swirls, using gel food coloring is recommended as it provides concentrated color without thinning the dough.
Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature for a smooth, uniform dough that creams easily. This helps prevent a crumbly texture and, according to baking experts, room temperature butter is key for proper aeration in baked goods.
Swap vanilla for almond or peppermint extract if you like a different holiday flavor profile. If using salted butter, omit the 1/4 teaspoon of added salt to ensure balanced sweetness. Always check your butter packaging for salt content.
Equipment
You will need a few essential tools to make these festive Christmas pinwheel cookies with ease:
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Large mixing bowls
- Parchment paper or waxed paper
- Rolling pin
- Plastic wrap
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Baking sheets
- Silicone baking mats or more parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
Instructions for Making Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Follow these simple steps to create your delightful Christmas pinwheel cookies recipe:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the room temperature butter and sugar for 1-2 minutes, or until pale and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla to the butter mixture and beat until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Form Dough: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two additions, mixing until just combined after each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Divide & Color Dough: Divide the dough into three equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Place one piece of dough back in the bowl and add the red food coloring. Beat with your mixer until the color is completely incorporated. Clean your mixer paddle or hand mixer blades. Repeat with a second piece of dough and the green food coloring. Leave the third piece of dough as is.
- Chill Dough Squares: Press each piece of dough into a flat square and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour or until firm.
- Roll Dough Layers: Remove the dough squares from the fridge. Place the red dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to a 10-inch square. Leave dough between parchment. Repeat with the other 2 pieces of dough. Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes.
- Stack Dough: Remove the top layer of parchment from each sheet of cookie dough. Place the red dough down on a counter. Top with the white dough, non-parchment sides touching, trying to line up the edges. Remove the parchment from the white dough. Top the white with the green, non-parchment sides touching, being sure to line up the edges. Remove parchment from green dough. Use a pizza cutter to trim the left and right edges of the cookie dough into straight lines.
- Roll Log: Very carefully, starting with one of the straightened sides, roll the dough into a tight log until you reach the other trimmed dough edge. Use the parchment paper to lift the dough to get it started. Once the dough log is complete, gently pinch the seam closed along with any breaks on the outer red layer.
- Chill Dough Log: Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. This step ensures clean pinwheel patterns.
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Slice & Bake: Use a sharp knife to cut the dough log into 1/4-inch thick slices. Discard the ends since they don’t make a nice pinwheel design. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookies are set.
- Cool Cookies: Carefully remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve or store.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting for Perfect Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Achieve perfect festive swirl cookies with these expert tips. Always use gel food coloring for intense, vibrant hues without thinning your dough. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticky dough, but avoid excess flour, which can dry out cookies. Roll dough to an even thickness for uniform baking and consistent swirls. Thoroughly chill your dough log; a firm log slices cleanly, creating distinct pinwheel patterns. If dough is too sticky, chill it longer, or add a tiny bit more flour. If it cracks, warm it slightly with your hands and gently knead before rolling. To prevent cookies from spreading too much, ensure your butter is not too soft and your oven temperature is accurate.
Serving, Storing, and Freezing Your Festive Pinwheel Cookies
Serve your beautiful pinwheel sugar cookies fresh from the oven or allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, store these delightful Christmas pinwheel cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their delightful texture. For longer storage, you have options. You can freeze the unbaked dough log by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before slicing and baking. Baked cookies also freeze well; cool them completely, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature before enjoying.
Nutritional Information
This Christmas pinwheel cookies recipe makes 16 servings, with each serving being one delicious cookie. Please note that nutritional information is an estimate based on ingredients used and preparation. Exact values may vary slightly depending on specific brands and measurements.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 cookie) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 30mg |
| Total Carb | 18g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 10g |
| Protein | 1g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions about making this delightful Christmas pinwheel cookies recipe:
- Why are my pinwheel cookies not perfectly round? Ensure your dough log is uniformly rolled and very firm before slicing for the best circles.
- Can I prepare the dough several days in advance? Yes, keep the dough log tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before slicing and baking.
- What if my dough is too sticky or too crumbly? If sticky, chill longer. If crumbly, gently knead with slightly warm hands.
- Can I use natural food colorings? Natural colors work but may be less vibrant and could affect dough consistency.
- Can I vary the colors or flavors? Absolutely! Experiment with different colors or swap vanilla for almond, lemon, or peppermint extracts.
Conclusion
Baking these vibrant Christmas pinwheel cookies recipe is a truly rewarding holiday experience. Their stunning visual appeal combined with their classic taste makes them an instant favorite for all ages. Don’t be intimidated by their intricate look; this recipe guides you to success. We encourage you to try making these impressive yet easy treats and share the joy with your loved ones this festive season. They’re a wonderful way to add cheer to any gathering!
