why make this recipe
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a delightful treat that brings a festive spirit to your holiday gatherings. Their vibrant colors and fun swirls make them a feast for the eyes, while their buttery, sweet flavor and chewy texture will satisfy your sweet tooth. Plus, they are great for sharing with family and friends or serving at holiday parties, adding a touch of joy to any occasion.
how to make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (12.75 oz)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature, 8 oz)
- 1.25 cups granulated sugar (8.75 oz)
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 0 red food coloring (gel works best)
- 0 green food coloring (gel works best)
- 1 cup sprinkles (6.75 oz)
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes a few minutes. It should look pale and creamy!
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed (or stirring with a wooden spoon) until just combined. Don’t overmix! We want tender cookies.
- Divide your dough into three equal portions. Leave one portion plain. Add a few drops of red food coloring to the second portion and green food coloring to the third. Mix each color in until it’s uniform. If you want a deeper color, add a little more food coloring. I like to wear gloves for this part – no stained fingers for me!
- Take your plain dough and shape it into a log about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Do the same with the red dough and the green dough. If the dough is sticky, you can lightly flour your hands. Don’t worry about perfect logs; rustic is good!
- Lay out a piece of plastic wrap. Place the plain log in the center. Then, place the red log on top of the plain log, gently pressing them together so they stick. Finally, place the green log on top of the red log, again pressing gently. Now, carefully wrap the whole stack in the plastic wrap and gently roll it with your hands to form one cohesive log. This helps the colors meld together into beautiful swirls when you slice them.
- Refrigerate the dough log for at least 1 hour, or until firm. This step is crucial for easy slicing!
- Once chilled, unwrap the dough log. Sprinkle your sprinkles onto a piece of parchment paper. Gently roll the dough log over the sprinkles, pressing lightly so they adhere all over. I like to use a mix of traditional Christmas sprinkles for extra festive flair!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, slice the chilled dough log into ¼-inch thick cookies. Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. And there you have it – gorgeous, homemade Christmas pinwheel cookies!
how to serve Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
These colorful cookies can be served on a festive platter or in decorative boxes as gifts. They pair beautifully with a glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa. You can also enjoy them as a festive snack throughout the holiday season.
how to store Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
To keep your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last up to a week if stored properly. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Just place the cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they can stay good for up to three months.
tips to make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature for the best texture.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough; it makes slicing much easier and helps maintain the shape.
- Experiment with different colored sprinkles for various looks while keeping the classic red and green for Christmas.
variation
You can switch up the flavors by adding almond extract instead of vanilla for a different taste. You might also use chocolate or peppermint sprinkles to change the cookie’s festive appearance.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of food coloring?
Yes, you can use liquid food coloring, but gel colors provide more vibrant shades.
2. How far in advance can I make these cookies?
You can make the cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it for up to three months. Just slice and bake when you’re ready!
3. What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
If the dough is too sticky to handle, refrigerate it for a short time until it firms up. Dusting your hands with flour can also help when shaping the logs.
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough into three equal portions and color two portions with red and green food coloring.
- Shape the plain dough into a log about 1 ½ inches in diameter and do the same with the colored doughs.
- Layer the logs: plain log first, then red, then green, pressing gently to adhere them.
- Wrap the stacked logs in plastic wrap and roll to form a single cohesive log.
- Refrigerate the dough log for at least 1 hour or until firm.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough log in sprinkles before slicing into ¼-inch thick cookies.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.