Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Vibrant swirls of red, green, and white, Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are miniature festive delights, embodying the spirit of the holiday season in every colourful slice. These are not just ordinary sugar cookies; they are a celebration of buttery sweetness and playful design, perfectly capturing the joy of Christmas with their eye-catching spirals and crisp, tender texture, creating a treat that is both visually captivating and utterly delicious to enjoy. Imagine the cheerful sight of these colourful cookies adorning your holiday dessert platter, the buttery aroma filling your kitchen with festive warmth, and the first bite delivering a perfect balance of sweet vanilla flavour and crisp cookie texture, promising a baking experience that is both fun to create and utterly delightful to share. This recipe is your invitation to holiday baking joy, bringing the delightful charm of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies to your celebrations, ready to impress with their festive appearance and effortless deliciousness.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Festive and Eye-Catching Holiday Treat

Appreciate the undeniable festive charm of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies. These cookies are miniature works of art, with their vibrant swirls of red, green, and white, instantly evoking the holiday spirit and making them a visually stunning addition to any Christmas cookie platter or gift box. The colourful spirals and festive appearance make them a standout treat for holiday celebrations. Enjoy the joy of creating cookies that are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat, making them a perfect centerpiece for your holiday dessert table.

Fun and Engaging Baking Project for All Ages

Indulge in the enjoyable baking experience of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, a recipe that is not only delicious but also fun and engaging to make, especially with kids, turning holiday baking into a joyful family activity and creating cherished memories in the kitchen. The process of rolling, layering, and slicing the dough into pinwheels is both entertaining and rewarding, perfect for getting everyone involved in the holiday baking fun. Enjoy the shared experience of creating these festive cookies together, making them a perfect family tradition.

Perfectly Balanced Sweet Vanilla Flavor

Savour the classic and comforting flavour of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, a cookie that boasts a perfectly balanced sweet vanilla taste that is both familiar and universally appealing, making them a crowd-pleasing treat for all ages and preferences. The simple vanilla flavour allows the buttery cookie and festive colours to shine, creating a taste that is both satisfying and delightful. Enjoy the classic sweetness that makes these cookies so irresistible, offering a truly enjoyable and universally loved flavour profile.

Customizable Colors and Flavors Endless Creativity

Discover the adaptable creativity of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, a recipe that can be customized with a variety of colours, flavourings, and even sprinkles, allowing you to personalize them to match your holiday theme and express your baking creativity, ensuring each batch is uniquely festive. Experiment with different food colourings, extracts, and decorative toppings to create your own signature pinwheel cookie variations. Enjoy the flexibility to adapt this recipe to any holiday theme or personal preference, offering a truly versatile and endlessly creative baking opportunity.

Ideal for Gifting and Cookie Exchanges Homemade Cheer

Embrace the gift-giving appeal of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, a cookie that is not only delicious but also beautifully presented, making them perfect for homemade gifts, holiday cookie exchanges, or any occasion where you want to share a thoughtful and festive treat. Their cheerful appearance and classic flavour make them a cherished gift for friends, family, and neighbours. Enjoy the pleasure of giving and receiving these delightful cookies, making them a perfect choice for spreading holiday cheer and homemade joy.

Ingredients

For the Buttery and Tender Cookie Dough

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled all-purpose flour. All-purpose flour provides the structure for the cookies, creating a tender crumb when properly measured. Spooning and leveling ensures accurate measurement and prevents dry cookies.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder. Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the cookies rise slightly and become tender. Baking powder contributes to the cookies’ texture.
• ½ teaspoon salt, kosher salt or sea salt. Salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavours in the cookies, preventing a flat or bland taste. Kosher salt or sea salt are preferred for their pure flavour and even seasoning. Adjust to taste.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened unsalted butter. Softened unsalted butter is essential for creating a smooth dough that is easy to roll and work with. Softened butter incorporates air and creates a tender cookie. Unsalted butter allows for better control over salt level.
• 1 cup granulated sugar. Granulated sugar adds sweetness and crisp edges to the cookies, contributing to their overall flavour and texture. Granulated sugar provides a clean sweetness that complements the vanilla and buttery notes.
• 1 large egg, large egg, at room temperature. Large egg provides structure, richness, and moisture to the cookie dough, contributing to their tender crumb and binding the ingredients together. Room temperature egg emulsifies better and creates a smoother dough.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pure vanilla extract. Pure vanilla extract enhances the overall flavour profile of the cookie dough, adding a warm and aromatic note that complements the buttery sweetness. Pure vanilla extract provides the best flavour.

For the Festive Colors and Flavor

• Red food coloring, gel food coloring or liquid food coloring. Red food coloring is used to create one layer of the pinwheel cookies dough in festive red colour. Gel food coloring provides more vibrant colour with less liquid.
• Green food coloring, gel food coloring or liquid food coloring. Green food coloring is used to create another layer of the pinwheel cookies dough in festive green colour. Gel food coloring provides more vibrant colour with less liquid.

Optional Decorations for Extra Cheer

• Sprinkles, Christmas sprinkles, or sanding sugar (optional). Sprinkles or sanding sugar are used for decorating the cookies, adding extra festive cheer and visual appeal. Choose your favorite holiday-themed sprinkles or sanding sugar.

How to Make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies ?

Step 1: Prepare the Vanilla Cookie Dough Base

In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures even distribution of baking powder and salt throughout the all-purpose flour.

In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Creaming butter and sugar incorporates air and creates a tender cookie.

Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.

Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and dough comes together. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined and dough just comes together, forming a ball. Do not overmix. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.

Step 2: Divide and Color the Dough for Festive Swirls

Divide dough in half. Divide cookie dough in half evenly.

In one bowl, add red food coloring and mix until dough is evenly colored red. In one bowl, add red food coloring and mix until dough is evenly colored red, achieving your desired shade of red. Use gel food coloring for more vibrant color.

In the other bowl, add green food coloring and mix until dough is evenly colored green. In the other bowl, add green food coloring and mix until dough is evenly colored green, achieving your desired shade of green. Use gel food coloring for more vibrant color.

Wrap each dough half in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 hours. Wrap each dough half (plain, red, and green) in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 hours. Chilling dough is crucial for firming it up and making it easier to roll out and prevent spreading. Chilling allows butter to firm up and gluten to relax.

Step 3: Roll, Layer, and Create Pinwheels

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough (plain, red, or green) into a 9×12 inch rectangle, about ⅛ inch thick. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough (start with plain dough) into a 9×12 inch rectangle, about ⅛ inch thick. Roll dough evenly for consistent cookie thickness.

Repeat with another dough (red or green), rolling it to the same size rectangle. Repeat with another dough (red or green), rolling it to the same size rectangle, aiming for similar size and thickness.

Carefully place one rolled dough over the other, lining up edges. Carefully place one rolled dough (e.g., red) over the other (e.g., plain), lining up edges and gently pressing to adhere.

Starting from one long side, tightly roll up dough layers into a log. Starting from one long side, tightly roll up dough layers together into a log, jelly-roll style, ensuring a tight roll for defined pinwheels.

Wrap dough log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours. Wrap dough log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours. Chilling log firms it up for easier slicing and prevents spreading.

Step 4: Slice, Bake, and Decorate

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Preheat oven to the specified temperature to ensure proper baking of the cookies.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of baked cookies.

Slice chilled dough log into ¼ inch thick rounds. Slice chilled dough log into ¼ inch thick rounds using a sharp knife, creating pinwheel shapes.

Place cookie slices on prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart. Place cookie slices on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart to allow for even baking and browning.

Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden brown and cookies are set. Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden brown and cookies are set but not browned. Baking time may vary slightly depending on cookie thickness and oven. Watch closely to prevent overbaking.

Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling slightly makes them easier to handle. Cooling completely before decorating prevents frosting from melting.

Decorate cooled cookies with sprinkles or sanding sugar, if desired. Decorate cooled cookies with sprinkles or sanding sugar, if desired, for extra festive cheer. Sprinkles or sanding sugar add visual appeal and festive touch.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve Christmas Pinwheel Cookies immediately or store in an airtight container. Serve immediately for best crispness or store in an airtight container at room temperature for later enjoyment.

Enjoy each festive, buttery, and vanilla-flavored bite.

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Tips for Variations

Flavor Extracts Peppermint, Almond, or Lemon

Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract, almond extract, or lemon extract to the dough along with vanilla extract for different flavour variations. Peppermint, almond, or lemon extract add unique flavour notes to the cookies.

Spice it Up Cinnamon or Nutmeg Warmth

Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or ground nutmeg to the dough for a warmer and more spiced cookie flavour, especially for winter holidays. Cinnamon or nutmeg add comforting spice flavours.

Chocolate Swirl Cocoa Powder Layer

Divide dough into three parts instead of two, and add ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to one portion for a chocolate layer in your pinwheel cookies. Cocoa powder creates a chocolate layer for a richer flavour and visual contrast.

Citrus Glaze Zesty Drizzle

Drizzle cooled Christmas Pinwheel Cookies with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and lemon juice or orange juice for a zesty and sweet finish. Citrus glaze adds a bright and tangy sweetness.

Sprinkle Variety Festive Toppings

Use different holiday-themed sprinkles, sanding sugar, or even crushed candy canes to decorate the cookies for extra festive flair. Holiday-themed sprinkles enhance the festive look and add texture.

Serving Suggestions

Christmas Cookie Platter Holiday Dessert Display

Showcase Christmas Pinwheel Cookies on a festive Christmas cookie platter, alongside other holiday cookies and treats for a beautiful and varied dessert display. Holiday cookie platter setting highlights the festive appeal of pinwheel cookies.

Hot Chocolate Pairing Cozy Winter Treat

Serve Christmas Pinwheel Cookies with a mug of hot chocolate or warm milk for a cozy and comforting winter treat, perfect for enjoying by the fireplace. Hot chocolate or warm milk are classic winter beverage pairings.

Gift in a Jar Layered Cookie Mix

Layer dry ingredients for Christmas Pinwheel Cookies in a jar with instructions for a thoughtful and homemade edible gift, perfect for gifting to neighbours or friends. Cookie mix in a jar is a creative and personalized gift idea.

Party Favors Festive Take-Home Treat

Package Christmas Pinwheel Cookies in small cellophane bags or boxes as festive party favors for holiday gatherings, allowing guests to take home a sweet treat. Party favors setting makes cookies portable and shareable.

Santa’s Cookie Plate Holiday Tradition

Place Christmas Pinwheel Cookies on a plate for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, continuing a beloved holiday tradition and adding a personal touch to the festive night. Santa’s cookie plate is a classic and heartwarming holiday tradition.

FAQ

Can I use different food colorings for Christmas Pinwheel Cookies?

Yes, you can use different food colorings to customize your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies. Try using blue and silver for a winter theme, or pastel colors for a softer look. Experiment with different colors to match your holiday theme.

How do I prevent the dough from sticking when rolling?

Keep the dough chilled and work on a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking. If dough becomes too soft, return it to the refrigerator to chill further. Chilled dough is easier to handle and roll out.

Can I make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies dough ahead of time?

Yes, Christmas Pinwheel Cookies dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw dough in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking. Make-ahead dough simplifies holiday baking preparation.

How long do Christmas Pinwheel Cookies stay fresh?

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7-10 days. Crispness may diminish slightly over time, but flavour will remain. Airtight container helps maintain freshness and prevent cookies from drying out.

Can I freeze baked Christmas Pinwheel Cookies?

Baked Christmas Pinwheel Cookies can be frozen, unfilled, for up to 2 months. Freeze baked and cooled cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving. Freezing is convenient for longer storage of baked cookies.

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