Easy Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe for All Ages

Sweet memories swirl around this classic Christmas pinwheel cookies recipe that brings festive cheer to every kitchen.

Vibrant colors twist and dance through delicate dough, creating a delightful treat that captures holiday spirit.

Red and green spirals intertwine like cheerful ribbons, promising delectable moments of joy.

Soft vanilla and rich cocoa layers blend seamlessly, creating a visual and tasty masterpiece.

Each cookie tells a story of tradition and warmth, inviting you to share a slice of holiday magic.

Baking these pinwheels transforms ordinary afternoons into extraordinary celebrations.

Treat yourself and loved ones to this enchanting cookie that sparkles with seasonal delight.

Why These Pinwheel Cookies Are a Treat

• Bring holiday cheer to your kitchen with these eye-catching red, white, and green pinwheel cookies that look like edible works of art.
• No special skills required – this recipe guides you through creating stunning cookies with simple layering and rolling techniques that look professionally made.
• Engage kids and adults alike in a fun, interactive cooking experience where everyone can help mix colors, roll dough, and create memorable holiday treats together.
• Impress friends and family with stunning cookies that seem complicated but are surprisingly straightforward to prepare, making you look like a baking superstar.

What Goes Into Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• Flour: A key foundation that provides structure and texture to the pinwheel cookies.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the cookie's golden color and crisp edges.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla: Brings a warm, classic flavor that complements the festive cookie.

• Red Food Coloring: Creates the vibrant red layer for a festive Christmas appearance.
• Green Food Coloring: Adds a festive green layer to complete the holiday color scheme.

• Parchment Paper: Helps with rolling and prevents the cookies from sticking during preparation.
• Plastic Wrap: Used for chilling and wrapping the dough to maintain its shape and consistency.

How to Roll and Slice Pinwheel Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.

Set aside this mixture for future use.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

Beat butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

This process takes about 2 minutes.

Add egg and vanilla, mixing until completely smooth.

Step 3: Merge Mixtures

Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture.

Mix until just combined, scraping bowl sides as needed.

The result should be a soft, pliable dough.

Step 4: Divide Dough

Separate dough into three equal portions.

Use a kitchen scale for precise division if possible.

Form each portion into a round ball.

Step 5: Add Festive Colors

• Red food coloring for one ball
• Green food coloring for another
• Leave the third ball in its natural white state

Add colors gradually, mixing thoroughly in a non-staining bowl.

Step 6: Initial Chilling

Flatten each colored dough ball into a square shape.

Wrap individually in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up the dough.

Step 7: Roll Out Layers

Roll each dough square between parchment paper sheets into approximately 10-inch squares.

• Red layer
• White layer
• Green layer

Trim edges using a pizza cutter for clean lines.

Step 8: Create Pinwheel Log

Gently roll the stacked dough into a log, starting from one trimmed edge.

Use parchment paper as a guide.

Smooth any cracks by pinching and reshaping.

Step 9: Final Chilling

Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for another hour to make slicing easier.

Step 10: Slice and Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Slice log into 1/4-inch rounds.

Arrange cookies on lined baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each cookie.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until set but not browned.

Step 11: Cool and Serve

Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your festive pinwheel treats!

Tips to Nail Pinwheel Cookie Swirls

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant, intense colors without altering dough consistency, ensuring your pinwheel cookies look stunning and taste perfect.
• Ensure dough is evenly chilled and use gentle pressure when rolling to minimize potential cracks, creating smooth, professional-looking pinwheel layers.
• Keep butter slightly softened but not melty for optimal cream texture, helping achieve light, fluffy cookie dough that rolls smoothly.
• Use a sharp, non-serrated knife and clean it between cuts to maintain crisp, clean edges on your pinwheel design, showcasing the beautiful color layers.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delightful texture for several days.

Storage Advice for Pinwheel Cookies

• Seal cooled cookies in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper. These festive treats will stay fresh for up to 5 days when kept in the refrigerator's cool environment.
• Pack cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for maximum 3 months, maintaining their vibrant colors and delightful texture.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. This gentle thawing process helps restore their original softness and prevents crumbling.
• Warm cookies briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes. This quick refresh will restore their crisp edges and bring back that fresh-baked warmth without compromising their delicate pinwheel design.

Pinwheel Cookie Pairing Possibilities

• Pair with Festive Hot Cocoa: Craft a rich, creamy hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps or cinnamon stick to complement the cookie's colorful, sweet profile.
• Match with Sparkling Prosecco: Select a light, bubbly Italian sparkling wine that cuts through the cookie's sweetness and enhances the holiday spirit with its crisp effervescence.
• Create Holiday Tea Moment: Brew a warming vanilla chai or spiced black tea that echoes the cookie's warmth and provides a cozy counterpoint to the festive treat.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop a small portion of smooth, premium vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cookies for a delightful temperature and texture contrast.

Creative Designs for Pinwheel Cookies

• Gluten-Free Holiday Pinwheels: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Christmas Cookies: Replace butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select plant-based food coloring for vibrant layers.
• Low-Sugar Version: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall calories while maintaining cookie's festive appearance.
• Chocolate Lovers' Edition: Add cocoa powder to one of the dough layers, creating a rich brown color alongside red and green for an extra decadent holiday treat.

FAQs

• How difficult is this recipe for beginners?

This recipe requires some baking skills and patience. While not extremely complex, it involves multiple steps like color mixing, layering, and precise rolling. Beginners can succeed by following instructions carefully and taking time with each step.

• What kitchen tools do I definitely need?

You’ll need a mixer, kitchen scale, parchment paper, pizza cutter, mixing bowls, baking sheets, and plastic wrap. A rolling pin is also very helpful for creating even dough layers.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! The dough log can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze the unbaked log for up to 2 weeks, which makes holiday prep easier and more convenient.

• Why do I need to chill the dough multiple times?

Chilling helps firm up the butter, prevents spreading during baking, and makes the dough easier to handle. It also helps the colors stay distinct and creates cleaner, more defined pinwheel layers in your final cookies.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies spiral delightful red and white swirls of holiday cheer onto your dessert plate. Sweet spirals blend classic vanilla and peppermint flavors, promising cheerful moments for family gatherings and seasonal celebrations you will treasure.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Butter and Sweeteners:

• 12 tablespoons (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) sugar

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon liquid red food coloring
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon liquid green food coloring
• Additional flour for dusting

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Instructions

1. Prepare dry ingredients by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a larger bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes. Incorporate egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth and well-blended.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture in two portions, mixing gently until just combined. Carefully scrape bowl sides to ensure even integration.
4. Divide prepared dough into three equal portions, using a kitchen scale for precise measurement. Form each portion into a compact ball.
5. Apply food coloring to separate dough portions: transform one ball to vibrant red, another to festive green, leaving the third in its original state. Mix colors thoroughly using a non-staining bowl, adding pigment incrementally.
6. Flatten each colored dough ball into a square shape. Encase in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour to firm the dough.
7. Roll out each chilled dough square between parchment paper sheets, aiming for a 10-inch square dimension. Carefully layer red, white, and green doughs, removing parchment between layers. Trim edges for clean lines.
8. Initiate rolling process from one trimmed edge, using parchment as a guide. Gently roll stacked dough into a compact log, smoothing any potential cracks.
9. Wrap log in plastic wrap and return to refrigerator for an additional hour to enhance slicing precision.
10. Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice chilled log into 1/4-inch rounds. Arrange cookies on lined baking sheets, maintaining 2-inch spacing. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are set but not browned.
11. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling before serving or storing.

Notes

• Master color control by adding food coloring drop by drop, ensuring vibrant yet natural-looking hues without oversaturating the dough.
• Use parchment paper as your secret weapon for smooth rolling and easy log formation, preventing potential dough sticking or tearing.
• Chill dough thoroughly between stages to maintain crisp edges and prevent spreading during baking, guaranteeing picture-perfect pinwheel patterns.
• Swap food coloring for natural alternatives like beet juice for red or matcha powder for green if you prefer avoiding artificial colorings, creating a healthier holiday treat.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 136
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 33 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg