Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Festive holiday pinwheel cookies swirl with vibrant colors and delightful patterns that spark joy in every kitchen.

Soft dough gets twisted into mesmerizing spirals of red and green.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this whimsical treat with simple ingredients and easy techniques.

Sweet memories emerge as these cheerful cookies spin magical memories onto your plate.

Each colorful twist tells a story of celebration and warmth.

Kids adore helping roll and shape these playful confections that look like edible holiday decorations.

Bake these stunning cookies and watch smiles bloom across faces gathered around your festive table.

Best Pairings For Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• Pair with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Rich, creamy hot chocolate complementing the cookie's minty undertones creates a warming winter indulgence that melts in your mouth.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Eggnog: Smooth, custardy eggnog balances the cookies' crisp texture and adds a luxurious holiday beverage experience that elevates the dessert.
• Complement with Spiced Chai Latte: Aromatic chai's warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom beautifully enhance the cookie's festive colors and peppermint notes, offering a delightful sensory pairing.

How To Store Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Easily

• Store cookies in an airtight container with wax paper between layers for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing sticking.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container, and store for 2-3 months, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor.
• Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, ensuring they remain crisp and enjoyable away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Remove frozen cookies from freezer, let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, allowing them to regain their original softness and taste.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Q&A

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough log up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.

• How do I prevent the dough from sticking when rolling?

Use parchment paper or silicone mats when rolling, and lightly dust your surface with flour to reduce stickiness and make handling easier.

• What if my dough is too soft to roll?

Refrigerate the dough for 15-30 minutes before rolling. Cold dough is much easier to handle and maintains its shape better during rolling and cutting.

• Can I freeze these pinwheel cookies?

Absolutely! You can freeze the unbaked dough log for up to 2 months or freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for 3-4 weeks.

Why People Crave Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• Craft Colorful Holiday Treats: Create eye-catching pinwheel cookies that showcase vibrant red and green swirls, perfect for spreading festive cheer.
• Master Simple Baking Techniques: Learn an impressive cookie-making method that looks complicated but requires basic mixing and rolling skills anyone can handle.
• Customize Your Festive Dessert: Experiment with different food coloring and extract combinations to personalize these stunning holiday cookies for special gatherings.
• Family Baking Adventure: Engage kids in a fun cookie-making project that turns kitchen time into a memorable holiday bonding experience, allowing everyone to participate in creating delightful treats.

What’s Inside Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• Butter (Softened): The foundation of the cookie that provides rich flavor and tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy cookie base.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and provides structure to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookies.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the main structure and body of the cookie.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and achieve a soft, tender texture.

• Red Food Coloring: Provides a vibrant red color for one half of the cookie dough.
• Green Food Coloring: Creates a festive green color for the other half of the cookie dough.
• Peppermint Extract: Adds a cool, refreshing mint flavor to the red dough.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate, snow-like dusting for the finished cookies.

Baking Steps For Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Step 1: Whip Butter and Sugar

Grab your mixing bowl and blend softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy cloud with a pale, dreamy appearance.

Step 2: Add Moisture and Flavor

Crack an egg into the buttery mixture and splash in vanilla extract. Stir until everything blends into a smooth, harmonious batter.

Step 3: Create Cookie Dough Base

• Flour
• Salt
• Baking powder

Mix until the dough pulls away from bowl sides, forming a perfect cookie foundation.

Step 4: Separate Dough Portions

Divide the dough into two equal sections, preparing for a colorful transformation.

Step 5: Color the Dough

• Add red food coloring
• Mix in peppermint extract

• Add green food coloring

Knead each section until colors burst with vibrant intensity.

Step 6: Roll Out Colorful Layers

Between parchment paper sheets, roll each colored dough into rectangular shapes about 1/4-inch thick.

Step 7: Layer Dough Colors

Carefully place red dough atop green dough, pressing gently to eliminate air bubbles.

Step 8: Create Spiral Log

Using parchment paper as a guide, roll the layered dough into a tight, spiral-patterned log.

Step 9: Chill the Dough

Wrap the log in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours, allowing it to firm up perfectly.

Step 10: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.

Step 11: Slice Cookies

Remove chilled dough log and slice into 1/4-inch rounds, spacing them 2 inches apart on baking sheets.

Step 12: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and cookies look set.

Step 13: Cool and Rest

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 14: Final Festive Touch

Dust cooled pinwheel cookies with powdered sugar, creating a magical winter wonderland effect.

Tips To Help With Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• Butter Softening Hack: Achieve the perfect butter consistency by leaving it at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming, ensuring a smooth, fluffy base for your cookies.
• Color Blending Technique: Knead food coloring thoroughly into each dough portion to create vibrant, even-toned red and green layers without streaks.
• Dough Rolling Pro Tip: Use parchment paper when rolling to prevent sticking and maintain clean, precise layers for a professional-looking pinwheel design.
• Chilling is Key: Refrigerate the dough log for at least 2 hours to help the cookies maintain their shape and create crisp, defined spiral patterns during baking.
• Slice Smartly: Use a sharp, non-serrated knife and clean it between cuts to achieve clean, uniform cookie rounds that showcase the beautiful spiral pattern.

Festive Ideas For Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• Chocolate Marble Cookies: Replace food coloring with cocoa powder for one dough half, creating a rich chocolate and vanilla swirl instead of red and green.
• Gluten-Free Holiday Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same rolling and pinwheel technique.
• Vegan Festive Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace egg with ground flaxseed mixed with water, and select plant-based vanilla extract for a dairy-free alternative.
• Nutty Holiday Spin: Incorporate finely chopped pecans or almonds into the dough before rolling, adding texture and a subtle nutty flavor to the traditional pinwheel design.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours 42-44 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet swirls of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies dance with festive red and green spirals, promising delightful holiday cheer. Crisp butter cookies blend classic charm and whimsical design, inviting you to savor seasonal joy in each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Coloring and Flavor:

• 1/4 cup red food coloring
• 1/4 cup green food coloring
• 1 tsp peppermint extract

Finishing Touches:

• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

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Instructions

1. Cream softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth, pale mixture that serves as the foundation for your festive cookies.
2. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until completely integrated and the batter becomes uniform in texture.
3. Gradually fold in the flour, salt, and baking powder, mixing until a cohesive dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Divide the dough into two equal portions, transferring each to separate mixing bowls for color preparation.
5. Add red food coloring and peppermint extract to one half of the dough, and green food coloring to the other, kneading until the colors are evenly distributed and vibrant.
6. Roll out each colored dough separately between two sheets of parchment paper, aiming for rectangular shapes of equal size and approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
7. Carefully layer the red dough on top of the green dough, gently pressing to ensure they adhere without creating air pockets.
8. Using the parchment paper as a guide, tightly roll the layered dough into a compact log, creating a spiral pattern of red and green.
9. Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, allowing it to firm up and make slicing easier.
10. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
11. Remove the chilled dough log and slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds, arranging them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
12. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies appear set but not browned.
13. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
14. Dust the cooled pinwheel cookies with powdered sugar, creating a festive, snow-like finish that enhances their holiday charm.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the pinwheel’s crisp spiral design during baking.
• Use gel food coloring for more vibrant, intense colors that won’t alter the dough’s consistency or texture.
• Roll the dough between parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure a smooth, even surface for perfect pinwheel formation.
• Swap peppermint extract with almond or vanilla for different flavor variations that suit various holiday preferences.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 35mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg