Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where comforting classics get a fresh twist. Christmas Pinwheel Cookies swirl red and green dough into festive spirals for holiday cookie trays that dazzle.

Ready in 2 hours including chill, they serve 36 with buttery crunch and vibrant holiday cheer.

Why This Recipe Works

Chilling firms dough for clean slices. Gel coloring delivers bold hues without weakening structure. Almond extract adds festive aroma. Tight rolling creates perfect pinwheels. Sprinkles add crunch contrast.

Ingredients & Prep

Dough Base:

• 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda

Color & Finish:

• Red gel food coloring
• Green gel food coloring
• Red sanding sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Beat butter and sugar 3-4 minutes creamy. Add egg and extracts.
2. Whisk flour, salt, baking soda; mix into wet just combined.
3. Divide dough into thirds. Color one red, one green, one plain.
4. Shape each into balls; chill 1 hour.
5. Roll each 1/4-inch rectangle between parchment. Stack green-white-red; roll tightly.
6. Brush log with corn syrup; roll in sanding sugar. Chill 1 hour.
7. Preheat 350°F; slice 1/4-inch thick. Bake 10-12 minutes.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Airtight 1 week; freeze logs 3 months.

FAQs

Bleeding colors?
Chill thoroughly; gel coloring.

Cracked log?
Softer dough; tighter roll.

Pale cookies?
Bake to edges only; no centers.

Conclusion

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies swirl holiday magic buttery perfection.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

These festive Christmas pinwheel cookies feature vibrant red and green swirls in every slice, creating stunning holiday spirals. Soft buttery dough with crisp edges bakes up in 12 minutes, perfect for cookie exchanges and Santa trays.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 12 mins
• Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Yield: 36 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2/3 cup unsalted butter softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Red gel food coloring
• Green gel food coloring
• 1/4 cup red sanding sugar
• 1/4 cup green sanding sugar

Instructions

• 1. Beat butter and sugar until creamy, 3-4 minutes. Add egg and vanilla; beat well.
• 2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into butter mixture.
• 3. Divide dough into thirds. Color one red, one green, leave one plain. Wrap and chill 1 hour.
• 4. Roll each portion into 8×12-inch rectangle between parchment sheets.
• 5. Stack green, plain, then red dough. Roll tightly into log. Brush with corn syrup and roll in sanding sugars.
• 6. Chill log 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice 1/4-inch thick. Bake 10-12 minutes.

Notes

• Chill dough thoroughly to maintain pinwheel shape.
• Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without thinning dough.
• Store airtight up to 1 week or freeze dough log.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 85
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 35mg
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 11g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: christmas pinwheel cookies, holiday swirl cookies, red green cookies