Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

I recently whipped up Christmas Pinwheel Cookies using softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, a rich egg and real vanilla extract. Swirling red and green food coloring throughout the dough, accented by a sprinkle of extra colored sugar creates a playful, festive treat that sparks curiosity and invites a second look.

I’m super excited to share my take on Christmas Pinwheel Cookies! Last holiday season I stumbled on this twist that made my kitchen smell amazing and the cookies looked so cool with a swirly design.

I mixed together 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and a large egg with a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Then, I slowly blended in 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, a teaspoon of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

I added a few drops of red and green food coloring right into the dough so each cookie had a neat, festive look without being too overpowering. I even sprinkled a bit of extra colored sugar for that extra pop.

My family and friends couldn’t stop asking for the recipe and I think you’ll quickly see why these cookies are a perfect gift idea for your neighbors and coworkers!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it’s super easy to follow even if I’m not the best baker and the ingredients are really basic so I don’t have to dash to the store every time I want to make them. I always love how the red and green colors give the cookies a festive vibe that instantly puts me in the holiday mood, like its almost too fun to eat. I really appreciate that the recipe lets me feel creative when I roll and press the dough together even though I sometimes mess up and they don’t look perfect the end result always tastes amazing. Another thing I enjoy is that these cookies make awesome gifts for my friends and family, its a cool way to share a little piece of holiday cheer even if I’ve had an off day in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter gives the dough a rich, creamy texture and flavor that makes every bite smooth.
• Granulated sugar sweetens the cookies and adds simple carbs, though it isn’t the healthiest choice.
• The egg helps hold everything together, offering a little protein and a moist crumb.
• Vanilla extract amps up the aroma and rounds off the flavors, making the cookies extra inviting.
• All-purpose flour provides necessary structure with its carbohydrates, keeping the cookies light and soft.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (about 2 sticks)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• A few drops red food coloring
• A few drops green food coloring
• Optional: a little extra colored sugar for sprinkling

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together in a big bowl until it looks light and fluffy.

3. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix them in real good.

4. In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to your butter mixture, stirring until a dough forms.

6. Divide the dough into two equal parts. Put a few drops of red food coloring in one part and a few drops of green in the other. Mix each until the color is evenly distributed.

7. Roll each colored dough onto a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1/4-inch thick.

8. Lay the two colors side by side on the work surface and gently press them together then roll them up into a log.

9. Slice the log into rounds about 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick and place them on your baking sheet.

10. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until they are lightly golden around the edges. Let the cookies cool on a rack, and if you want, sprinkle a little extra colored sugar on top while they’re still a bit soft.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated to 350°F)
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Measuring cups and spoons
5. Two mixing bowls
6. Electric mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon
7. Whisk
8. Rolling pin
9. Knife for slicing the dough log
10. Cooling rack

FAQ

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Unsalted butter: You can use salted butter instead but cut back on the added salt in the recipe.
• Granulated sugar: Try swapping in light brown sugar for a richer flavor, although it may change the texture a bit.
• Egg: If you dont have an egg, 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce works as a substitute in these cookies.
• Vanilla extract: Almond extract can be used if you dont have vanilla, its a different flavor but still tasty.
• All-purpose flour: You can use a gluten free flour blend, but you might need to adjust the liquid a bit if the dough seems too dry.

Pro Tips

– Try not to overwork the dough when mixing in the dry ingredients cuz too much stirring can make your cookies tough. Just mix until there ain’t any flour pockets left.
– If you chill the rolled up dough log for like 10 minutes in the fridge before slicing, you’ll get cleaner cuts and neater cookies that don’t spread too much when baking.
– Be careful with the food coloring drops. Add them gradually and mix well so you don’t end up with streaks of super intense colour in some parts and barely any in others.
– When you’re rolling out the dough on a floured surface, only dust lightly with flour to avoid drying out the dough, otherwise you might end up with cookies that are a bit too crumbly.