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Christmas Cookie Pinwheels are a festive holiday treat that’ll be the star of your Christmas cookie plate! These beautiful, colorful swirls of red, green, and white are not just visually stunning but also incredibly delicious. They’re tender, buttery, and melt in your mouth—a must-have addition to your holiday baking repertoire. Whether you’re gearing up for a cookie exchange or creating a festive dessert spread, these cookies will make your season bright and cheerful.
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Why Christmas Cookie Pinwheels Are a Holiday Must-Have
These cookies have everything to make your holidays extra special:
- Vibrant Festive Colors: The eye-catching red, green, and white swirls are perfect for Christmas.
- Customizable: Swap out colors or add extracts like peppermint for a personal twist!
- Family-Friendly Fun: Rolling the dough into pinwheels is a joyful activity for kids and adults alike.
- Versatile Presentation: These cookies look amazing in holiday gift boxes, on dessert trays, or served with hot cocoa.
The taste? Absolutely divine. Think buttery shortbread with just the right amount of sweetness to pair with the festive cheer. Plus, the smell of these cookies baking in the oven is enough to get anyone into the holiday spirit!
If you’re looking for more holiday treats, don’t miss our other festive favorites:
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful Christmas Cookie Pinwheels:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ to 1 teaspoon liquid red food coloring
- ½ to 1 teaspoon liquid green food coloring
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand or stand mixer
- Rolling pin
- Parchment or wax paper
- Plastic wrap
- Sharp knife
- Baking sheet
- Silicone baking mat or parchment
Need a Rolling Pin? We Got You
Buy Now → Ingredient Substitutions and Additions
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant hues with less liquid.
- Add ½ teaspoon of almond extract for a nutty flavor twist.
- Try rolling the dough in sanding sugar or sprinkles for extra sparkle.
How to Make Christmas Cookie Pinwheels
- Mix the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in the egg and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients until just combined.
- Divide and Color: Split the dough into three equal portions. Color one portion red, one green, and leave one plain. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Roll Out the Dough: Roll each dough portion into a 10-inch square between parchment sheets. Chill again for 30 minutes.
- Assemble Pinwheels: Stack the dough layers (red, white, green) by removing parchment from one side and carefully layering them together. Trim edges for a neat rectangle. Roll tightly into a log using parchment to guide you.
- Chill the Dough Log: Wrap the log in plastic and refrigerate for another hour until firm.
- Slice and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the log into 1/4-inch rounds, place on a prepared baking sheet, and bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool before serving.
What to Serve with Christmas Cookie Pinwheels
Pair these cookies with a cozy drink! Try serving them with hot cocoa, spiced eggnog, or a warm mulled cider. These cookies also look stunning alongside a variety of holiday cookies like Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies.
Tips for the Perfect Christmas Cookie Pinwheels
- Keep the dough cold throughout the process to maintain clean lines in your pinwheels.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the log without smudging the design.
- Roll slowly and evenly to prevent cracks in the dough layers.
Storing Christmas Cookie Pinwheels
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Freezer: Freeze the dough log for up to a month and bake fresh when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the dough in advance and freeze it. Simply slice and bake when ready to serve.
How do I prevent the dough from cracking?
Chilling the dough for just the right amount of time and rolling it evenly helps avoid cracks. If it feels too cold, let it sit for a few minutes before rolling.
Can I use natural food coloring?
Absolutely. Natural food coloring works, but the colors may not be as vibrant.
Spread the Cheer
These Christmas Cookie Pinwheels are as fun to make as they are to eat! They bring a pop of color and joy to any dessert table and are sure to impress your friends and family. Ready to try your hand at these festive treats?
We’d love to see your creations! Share your cookie photos on Pinterest and tag us. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more holiday-inspired recipes delivered directly to your inbox!
Nutritional Information
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 173
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 33mg
- Sodium: 42mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 9g
If you loved these pinwheels, don’t miss these festive favorites:
Happy baking, and may your holidays be as sweet as these cookies!
Christmas Cookie Pinwheels
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Christmas Cookie Pinwheels are a festive, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth holiday treat featuring vibrant swirls of red, green, and white. Perfect for cookie swaps, holiday parties, or as a cheerful addition to your dessert plate, these cookies are as delightful to make as they are to eat!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ to 1 teaspoon liquid red food coloring
- ½ to 1 teaspoon liquid green food coloring
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in two additions. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the dough into three equal parts. Color one part red, one green, and leave one plain. Wrap each in plastic and chill for 1 hour.
- Roll each dough into a 10-inch square between parchment paper. Chill again for 30 minutes.
- Stack the dough (red, white, green), removing parchment as you go. Trim edges and roll tightly into a log. Wrap and chill for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice the log into 1/4-inch rounds and bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 12-15 minutes.
- Cool for 5 minutes on the tray, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For vibrant colors, use gel food coloring and adjust the amount to your liking.
- Keep the dough cold during every step to ensure clean, sharp pinwheel designs.
- You can make the dough ahead and freeze for up to a month; slice and bake when ready.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 173
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 42mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 33mg
