Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and surprisingly easy treat to brighten your holiday baking, this Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe is a total winner. I adore these cookies because they’re not only visually stunning, with their merry red and green swirls, but also perfectly buttery and tender—exactly the kind of cookie that feels like a warm hug during the hectic holiday season. Plus, they’re a great conversation starter at any holiday party or family gathering!
What makes this Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe especially worth trying is how it balances simplicity with a wow factor. You don’t need fancy equipment or complicated techniques to pull off those beautiful spirals. The sprinkles add a joyful crunch and extra pop of color that really take these cookies to the next level. Trust me, once you’ve baked them, everyone will be asking for the recipe (and maybe even sneaking a few when you’re not looking!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient here works together to create that tender, buttery texture and the bright, festive look that’s so iconic for these pinwheel cookies. When shopping, look for good-quality butter and fresh baking powder to ensure your cookies rise perfectly and bake up soft yet slightly crisp on the edges.
- All-purpose flour: This gives structure but not too much chew, perfect for a tender cookie.
- Baking powder: Just a teaspoon to help the cookies rise just right.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter blends the dough beautifully; unsalted lets you control saltiness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve that slight crunch around the edges.
- Large egg: Use at room temperature to help with emulsification and a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Gives a warm, rich flavor that’s classic and comforting.
- Red and green food coloring: I love Americolor gels because they give vibrant color without watering down the dough.
- Sprinkles: Pick a festive mix for crunch and color—these make the cookie pop and add texture!
Variations
I find that personalizing the Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe can be just as fun as baking them. Feel free to switch up the colors or even add a little extra flavor to make them your own—and don’t be surprised if these variations become new holiday favorites!
- Chocolate swirl: Try adding cocoa powder to one half of the dough—my family loves this twist for a chocolaty kick.
- Gluten-free option: Substitute with a gluten-free flour blend; just watch the dough as it can be a bit more delicate.
- Extract swaps: Use peppermint or almond extract instead of vanilla for a seasonal flavor boost.
- Sprinkle swaps: Mix in crushed candy canes or chopped nuts for interesting textures and tastes.
How to Make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare your dough basics
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Meanwhile, cream the room temperature butter and sugar until light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3–5 minutes with a mixer. Then add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is smooth and combined. This step is crucial because the butter texture affects the final softness of your cookies.
Step 2: Divide, color, and chill the dough
Divide your dough into two equal parts. Add red food coloring to one half and green to the other, kneading each gently until the color is evenly distributed—gel colors work best so you don’t change the dough texture. Wrap each dough ball tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour. This rest period firms up the dough, making rolling and shaping so much easier.
Step 3: Roll out and layer the dough
Lightly flour your workspace and roll each colored dough portion into rectangles about the same size—roughly 10×8 inches. Place the red layer on your work surface, then gently lay the green layer on top. Press lightly to help them stick but avoid squishing the layers. Then sprinkle your festive sprinkles on top, pressing down ever so slightly so they’ll stick well once rolled.
Step 4: Roll into a log and chill again
Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the layered dough into a tight log. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap again, and chill at least 2 hours or overnight. This step firm up the dough so you get clean, distinct spirals when slicing your cookies. I often make this step the night before—makes holiday prep feel more manageable.
Step 5: Slice and bake your cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the dough log and slice it into ¼ inch thick rounds, placing them on parchment-lined baking sheets. Leave some space because these cookies spread just a bit. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges start to turn a delicate golden color. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack—the cookies will firm up as they cool, but you want to move them gently to keep those pretty pinwheels intact.
How to Serve Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple—the sprinkles baked right in are festive enough! But if I want to dress them up, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate adds a lovely touch of elegance and sweetness. Sometimes, adding a tiny edible glitter sprinkle makes them sparkle perfectly under holiday lights.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a mug of hot cocoa or spiced tea—my go-to cozy combo during Christmas season. They’re also fabulous alongside a cheese platter for holiday gatherings, balancing sweet and savory bites beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like arranging the cookies standing upright in a clear glass jar or tiered dessert tray, which really shows off their swirl design. Wrapping stacks of these cookies in festive cellophane and tying them with rustic twine makes adorable edible gifts that always get compliments. Presentation can turn a simple cookie into a delightful holiday centerpiece!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Christmas Pinwheel Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they stay fresh and delicious for up to a week. Adding a slice of bread in the container helps keep them soft—a little trick I picked up over the years. Just make sure the container is sealed well to keep moisture out.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead, you can freeze the dough log before slicing—wrap it extra tightly to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready, slice and bake straight from the fridge or thawed slightly. The baked cookies also freeze well in a sealed container for up to 3 months, which is perfect for holiday gift planning.
Reheating
To freshen up the cookies if they’ve been stored or frozen, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This revives their crisp edges and soft centers without drying them out. Avoid microwaving as it can make them a bit rubbery.
FAQs
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Can I make the Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe without food coloring?
Absolutely! If you prefer a more natural look or want to avoid food dyes, you can skip the coloring or use natural alternatives like beet powder for red and spinach powder for green. Just keep in mind the visual impact won’t be the classic vibrant pinwheel, but the flavor will still be amazing.
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How do I prevent the dough layers from mixing when rolling?
To keep the red and green layers from blending, chill each dough color well before rolling them out, and handle gently when layering. Rolling the layered dough into a log tightly but not too forcefully helps maintain clean swirls. Chilling the log again before slicing is key to neat spirals.
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Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?
You can certainly try! Substitute the butter with a plant-based spread and use a flax egg or another egg replacement. Be aware the texture may differ slightly, but they’ll still be delicious for your holiday table.
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Why are my pinwheel cookies not holding their shape?
This usually happens if the dough is too warm or soft. Make sure to chill the dough well before slicing and don’t attempt to roll the log too loosely. Also, slice the dough evenly to prevent spreading during baking.
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Can I use other sprinkles or mix-ins for this Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe?
Definitely! Feel free to use any festive sprinkles or even finely chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips. Just keep the mix-ins small and light so they don’t affect how the dough rolls and holds together.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe has become a holiday staple in my kitchen—it’s one of those recipes that brings joy not just in eating but in the process of making and sharing. I love how it’s approachable yet impressive, and those swirls always wow guests and family alike. If you’re ready to try a cookie that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, go ahead and bake these pinwheels. I guarantee they’ll add some extra sparkle to your holiday baking plans!
PrintChristmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
These festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies combine buttery, tender dough with vibrant red and green colors swirled together, perfect for holiday celebrations. They’re decorated with colorful sprinkles that add a crunchy texture and cheerful visual appeal, making them an ideal treat for gifting or enjoying with family and friends during the Christmas season.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 12.75 oz all-purpose flour (3 cups)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 8 oz unsalted butter (1 cup), at room temperature
- 8.75 oz granulated sugar (1.25 cups)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Additional
- Red and green food coloring (preferably gel colors such as Americolor)
- 6.75 oz sprinkles (1 cup)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough base: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.
- Combine ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough evenly into three portions.
- Color the dough: Leave one portion of dough plain. Add red gel food coloring to the second portion and green gel food coloring to the third portion. Knead each portion separately until the color is uniformly distributed.
- Shape the pinwheels: Roll each colored dough portion into flat rectangles of equal size, stacking the layers starting with the plain dough, then the green, and finally the red layer on top.
- Form the dough roll: Carefully roll the stacked dough layers into a tight log to create a pinwheel pattern. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
- Add sprinkles: Once the dough log is firm, roll it lightly in the sprinkles to coat the outside evenly. This adds a festive crunch and color on the cookie edges.
- Slice and bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the dough log into approximately ¼ inch thick rounds and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown. Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring to prevent altering the dough’s consistency.
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature to achieve a creamy texture when creaming with sugar.
- Refrigerate the dough log adequately before slicing to help maintain the pinwheel shape during baking.
- Sprinkles on the outside add both texture and festive visuals but are optional.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Keywords: Christmas Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Pinwheel Cookies, Festive Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Sprinkles, Holiday Baking
