Nothing says “holiday cheer” quite like a batch of colorful Christmas pinwheel cookies! These delightful treats are not only a feast for the eyes with their vibrant swirls, but they are also melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or just a cozy day baking in the kitchen with your family, these cookies are sure to become a festive favorite.
Let’s dive in and make some magical cookies that everyone will love!
Why This Recipe Is a Must-Try
These Christmas pinwheel cookies stand out for several reasons.
First, they are visually stunning with their alternating colors, making them an excellent choice for holiday cookie trays.
Second, the cookie dough is buttery and tender, and the combination of light brown and granulated sugar adds a wonderful depth of sweetness.
Lastly, they are incredibly fun to make, especially when rolling up the dough into those perfect pinwheels.
If you want to impress your family and friends this holiday season with some festive treats, this recipe is a must-try!
Ingredients
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon each red and green food coloring
- ½ cup holiday sprinkles
How To Make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by gathering all your ingredients at room temperature.
This step will make it easier to cream the butter and sugar together.
Measure out the flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl and the sugars in another.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
This should take about 2-3 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined.
Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can make the cookies tough.
Step 4: Divide and Color the Dough
Once your dough is ready, divide it in half.
Leave one half plain and tint the other half using the red food coloring.
Start with a few drops and mix until you achieve your desired color.
Repeat with the green food coloring for the other half of the dough.
Step 5: Roll Out the Dough
On a piece of parchment paper, place the red dough and cover it with another piece of parchment paper.
Roll it out into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
Repeat the process with the green dough.
You should now have two colorful rectangles of dough!
Step 6: Assemble the Pinwheels
Carefully peel off the top layer of parchment paper from the red dough.
Place the green dough rectangle on top of the red.
Gently press them together and remove the bottom layer of parchment.
Roll the dough tightly from one end to the other, starting from the long side, to form a log.
Wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or until firm.
Step 7: Preheat the Oven
When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 8: Slice and Bake
Once your cookie dough log is chilled, remove it from the refrigerator.
Cut the log into ¼ inch thick slices and place the slices on the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each, as they will spread slightly while baking.
Top each cookie with a sprinkle of holiday sprinkles for an extra festive touch.
Step 9: Enjoy!
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Once cooled, serve them up or store them in an airtight container.
Expert Tips
- Make sure your butter is truly softened; it should easily hold an indentation when pressed but not be melted.
- If your dough becomes too soft while rolling, return it to the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm up.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into even slices for uniform cookies.
- Feel free to experiment with different colors of food coloring for different holidays or celebrations!
Variations and Customizations
- Add almond extract instead of vanilla for a different flavor profile.
- Mix in some chocolate chips or nuts into the dough for added texture.
- Use different colored sprinkles or even edible glitter for festive flair!
- For a chocolate version, substitute ½ cup of flour with ½ cup of cocoa powder in one of the colored doughs.
How to Store Leftovers
To keep your Christmas pinwheel cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
They will stay fresh for up to a week.
If you want to make them ahead of time, you can freeze the dough logs before slicing and baking.
Just wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to three months.
When you’re ready to bake, let the dough thaw in the refrigerator overnight before slicing.
FAQ
Can I use margarine instead of butter in this recipe?
Yes, you can use margarine, but it is recommended to use unsalted butter for the best flavor and texture.
If you use margarine, choose one with a similar fat content to butter.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The cookies are done when the edges start to turn lightly golden.
They may look slightly underbaked in the center, but they will continue to harden as they cool.
Can I use other colors for food coloring?
Absolutely! You can use any colors you like to match your holiday theme or occasion.
Get creative with your color combinations!
What should I do if my dough is too crumbly?
If your dough seems too dry or crumbly, try adding a small splash of milk or water, a teaspoon at a time, until the dough holds together nicely.
Don’t add too much, as you want to maintain the texture.
Conclusion
These Christmas pinwheel cookies are the perfect way to add joy and a pop of color to your holiday celebrations.
With their buttery, tender texture and festive appearance, they are sure to be a hit with all your friends and family.
Plus, the process of making these cookies is an enjoyable experience that can be shared with loved ones.
So go ahead, roll up those sleeves and create some delicious holiday memories with these delightful treats! Happy baking, and Merry Christmas!
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Rolling Pin
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Plastic Wrap
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- ½ cup Light brown sugar
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- 1 large Egg at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
Coloring and Toppings
- ½ teaspoon Red food coloring
- ½ teaspoon Green food coloring
- ½ cup Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients - Start by gathering all your ingredients at room temperature.
- Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough - In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients - Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Step 4: Divide and Color the Dough - Once your dough is ready, divide it in half. Leave one half plain and tint the other half using the red food coloring.
- Step 5: Roll Out the Dough - On a piece of parchment paper, place the red dough and cover it with another piece of parchment paper. Roll it out into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
- Step 6: Assemble the Pinwheels - Carefully peel off the top layer of parchment paper from the red dough. Place the green dough rectangle on top of the red.
- Step 7: Preheat the Oven - When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Step 8: Slice and Bake - Once your cookie dough log is chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Cut the log into ¼ inch thick slices and place the slices on the prepared baking sheets.
- Step 9: Enjoy! - Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
