The Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe You’ll Adore

Sweet memories swirl around these delightful christmas pinwheel cookies that blend festive colors and delicate textures.

Memories of holiday baking flood back with each colorful twist.

Soft dough rolls into vibrant spirals that catch everyone’s eye at gatherings.

Chocolate and vanilla layers create a mesmerizing pattern perfect for seasonal celebrations.

Crisp edges and rich flavors make these treats irresistible to both kids and adults.

Baking becomes a joyful experience when you craft these playful, eye-catching cookies.

Let the magic of holiday baking begin with this simple yet spectacular recipe.

Ingredients to Gather for Festive Swirl Holiday Treats

• Flour: The essential dry ingredient that provides structure for the holiday cookies.
• Butter: Creates a rich, tender texture and adds delicious flavor to the swirl cookies.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a soft, delicate cookie texture.

• Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla: Adds a warm, classic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookies.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, soft texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

• Red Food Coloring: Adds festive red color to one layer of the swirl cookie.
• Green Food Coloring: Creates a festive green layer in the holiday cookie design.

Steps for Creating Festive Swirl Holiday Treats

Step 1: Prepare Dry Mixture

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until perfectly blended and free of lumps.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and noticeably pale in color.

Step 3: Introduce Liquid Ingredients

Gently fold in egg and vanilla extract, mixing until the batter looks smooth and consistent.

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring carefully to create a uniform dough that pulls away from bowl sides.

Step 5: Separate Dough Portions

Divide the dough into three equal sections using a kitchen scale for precise measurement.

Step 6: Add Festive Colors

• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring

Tint one portion bright red and another vibrant green, leaving the third portion natural white.

Step 7: Prepare Dough Sheets

Press each colored dough into flat square shapes and wrap individually in plastic wrap.

Step 8: Initial Chilling

Refrigerate dough portions for one hour to firm up and enhance flavor development.

Step 9: Roll Out Layers

Roll each chilled dough between parchment paper to create smooth, even 10-inch squares.

Step 10: Second Chilling

Return rolled dough sheets to refrigerator for additional 30-minute firming.

Step 11: Create Layered Stack

Carefully layer doughs in color sequence: red, white, green.

Step 12: Trim Edges

Use a sharp knife to straighten and clean dough layer edges for perfect alignment.

Step 13: Form Spiral Log

Gently roll the layered dough into a tight, compact log using parchment paper as guidance.

Step 14: Final Chilling

Wrap log in plastic and refrigerate for one hour to stabilize shape.

Step 15: Prepare Oven

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit with rack positioned in center.

Step 16: Slice Cookies

Cut chilled log into quarter-inch thick rounds using a sharp, clean knife.

Step 17: Arrange On Baking Sheet

Place cookie rounds two inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.

Step 18: Bake Perfectly

Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn light golden and centers appear set.

Step 19: Initial Cooling

Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for five minutes after removing from oven.

Step 20: Complete Cooling

Transfer cookies to wire cooling rack to reach room temperature and crisp up.

Helpful Hints for Festive Swirl Holiday Treats Success

• Ensure each dough color is vibrant and uniform by mixing food coloring thoroughly before chilling.
• Dust work surface and rolling pin with powdered sugar to avoid dough sticking and maintain smooth rolling.
• Use wooden dowels or ruler to roll dough evenly, creating consistent cookie sizes for uniform baking.
• Extended chilling helps dough firm up, preventing spreading and maintaining intricate swirl design during baking.
• Use sharp knife and gentle sawing motion to cut log, keeping swirl pattern intact and preventing dough from crumbling.

Festive Swirl Holiday Treats Flavor Explorations

• Gluten-Free Holiday Swirls: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly cookies.
• Vegan Festive Treats: Substitute butter with coconut oil and egg with flax egg for plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar and reduce overall sweetness while maintaining cookie texture.
• Chocolate Lovers' Version: Add cocoa powder to white dough section for chocolate-vanilla-colored swirl effect.

Serving Festive Swirl Holiday Treats at Your Table

• Festive Plating Paradise: Arrange cookies on elegant white platters with sprinkled powdered sugar for magical winter vibes.
• Holiday Gift Wrap Delight: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags, tie with red ribbons, perfect for homemade edible presents.
• Cookie Display Magic: Arrange swirled treats on tiered cake stands, interspersing with small pine branches and twinkling tea lights for charming centerpiece effect.
• Chocolate Drizzle Finish: Melt white or dark chocolate, gently drizzle over cooled cookies for extra gourmet touch and decorative sparkle.

Keeping Festive Swirl Holiday Treats Fresh for Later

• Place cooled cookies in airtight container with wax paper between layers, stays fresh up to 5 days.
• Wrap log or baked cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, freeze up to 3 months.
• Remove from freezer, let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before serving.
• Warm briefly in 300F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore crisp texture and revive fresh-baked taste.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the dough colors from bleeding into each other?

Chill the colored doughs thoroughly and handle them gently when stacking to maintain crisp color boundaries.

• What if my dough becomes too soft while working?

Return it to the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to firm up and make handling easier.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough log and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 1 month before slicing and baking.

• How thin should I slice the cookies?

Aim for consistent 1/4-inch thick slices to ensure even baking and a uniform appearance.

Festive Swirl Holiday Treats Reasons to Celebrate

• Craft Festive Holiday Magic: Bake colorful swirl cookies that bring joy to your kitchen.
• Create Memorable Moments: Perfect for family baking time, these cookies spark creativity and togetherness.
• Quick and Simple Preparation: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Stunning Visual Appeal: Vibrant red, white, and green layers create a show-stopping treat that looks professional with minimal effort.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas pinwheel cookies swirl red and green colors into a delightful holiday treat that delights family and friends. Rich buttery dough creates a perfect spiral of seasonal cheer you’ll want to share and enjoy.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 12 tablespoons (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) sugar
• 1 egg

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Flavoring and Coloring:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red food coloring
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon green food coloring

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Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
2. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth and well combined.
4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms.
5. Separate dough into three equal portions using a kitchen scale for precision.
6. Tint one portion red and another green using gel food coloring, kneading until color is uniform.
7. Shape each colored and plain dough into flat squares, then individually wrap in plastic film.
8. Refrigerate dough portions for 1 hour to firm up and enhance flavor development.
9. Between parchment sheets, roll each dough to a 10-inch square with consistent thickness.
10. Return rolled dough sheets to refrigerator for additional 30-minute chilling.
11. Layer doughs carefully: red on bottom, white in middle, green on top.
12. Trim edges precisely to create clean, straight lines.
13. Utilizing parchment paper, gently roll dough into a compact log.
14. Wrap log tightly in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour to stabilize structure.
15. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper.
16. Slice chilled log into 1/4-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife.
17. Arrange cookie rounds 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
18. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers appear set.
19. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes post-baking.
20. Transfer cookies to wire cooling rack to complete cooling process.

Notes

• Proper chilling is crucial for clean swirl definition and preventing color bleeding during baking.
• Use exact measurements to ensure dough consistency and perfect layering of colors.
• Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Apply light, even pressure when rolling to maintain dough layers without squishing or distorting the design.

• Prep Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 109 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 1.4 g
• Cholesterol: 21 mg