Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a show-stopping holiday dessert that combines beautiful colors, delicious flavors, and a fun, spiraled design. These vibrant cookies are perfect for any holiday gathering, offering a burst of festive cheer in every bite. The cookies are made from a simple buttery dough, which is divided into two parts—one flavored with vanilla and the other with bright red and green swirls of festive color and a hint of peppermint. The result? A gorgeous, spiral-shaped cookie that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
Not only are these cookies delicious and eye-catching, but they’re also an excellent option for gifting. You can package them in pretty tins or boxes for family and friends, or enjoy them yourself while sipping hot cocoa by the fire.
Ingredients:
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional, for a minty flavor)
- Red and green food coloring (gel or liquid)
Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Dough Base
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg and extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract (if using) until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough just comes together. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as everything is combined.
Step 2: Divide and Color the Dough
- Divide the dough: Once the dough is made, divide it into two equal portions.
- Color the dough:
- For one half, leave it plain (this will be your vanilla-flavored dough).
- For the other half, add a few drops of red food coloring and mix until you get a bright red dough.
- Repeat the same with green food coloring for the third portion (if you want to create green and red pinwheels). If you’re only doing one color, just color half of the dough and leave the other part plain.
- Chill the dough: Wrap both portions of dough (red, green, and vanilla) in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes to make them easier to roll out.
Step 3: Roll and Shape the Dough
- Roll out the dough: Once chilled, take one portion of dough at a time and roll it out on a piece of parchment paper or a lightly floured surface. Roll each color of dough into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Try to make all the dough layers the same size for the perfect pinwheel effect.
- Layer the dough: Once each color of dough is rolled out, carefully layer the red dough on top of the vanilla dough, pressing gently to stick them together. If you’re making a multi-colored pinwheel, repeat the process with the green dough and layer it on top of the red dough.
- Roll the dough into a log: Carefully, from one edge, start rolling up the dough tightly, like a jelly roll, so that you have a long log of dough with all the colors layered inside.
- Chill the dough again: Wrap the rolled dough log in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour, or until firm. This will make it easier to slice into cookies.
Step 4: Slice and Bake the Cookies
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Slice the dough: Once the dough is firm, remove it from the refrigerator and slice it into 1/4-inch thick rounds. You should see the beautiful swirl of colors in each slice.
- Place on baking sheets: Arrange the sliced cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1-2 inches apart. These cookies don’t spread much during baking, so they can be placed fairly close together.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just slightly golden. Be careful not to overbake them—these cookies are best when soft in the center with slightly crisp edges.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Once cooled, your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are ready to be enjoyed! They make the perfect treat for holiday parties, gift-giving, or just a cozy snack at home.
Chef’s Tip:
For an extra touch of festivity, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with edible glitter or a dusting of powdered sugar to create a frosty, wintery effect. If you like a stronger peppermint flavor, increase the amount of peppermint extract in the dough, or sprinkle a little crushed candy cane on top of the cookies after baking.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. Roll the dough into a log and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just slice and bake as directed.
2. Can I use different colors for the dough?
Absolutely! While red and green are traditional for Christmas, you can use any color food coloring to match your theme or occasion. You could even make rainbow-colored pinwheel cookies for a fun, colorful twist.
3. How do I store Christmas Pinwheel Cookies?
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, they can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months.
4. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough! Roll it into a log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in a freezer bag or airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then slice and bake as usual.
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a perfect blend of buttery cookie dough, vibrant colors, and festive flavors. They not only look stunning but taste amazing too! With their delightful swirl pattern and holiday spirit, they’re sure to become a favorite during your seasonal celebrations. Happy baking!