Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Looking for a fun and festive cookie to bake? These classic Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are not only beautiful but irresistibly delicious! With swirls of red and green, they make the perfect treat for holidays, cookie swaps, or just because.
10 Days of Christmas Treats
Welcome to Day 9 of my 10 Days of Christmas Treats!
If you’re just joining in, I’ve been sharing a new festive treat every day to help bring a little extra holiday cheer to your kitchen. From cookies to candies, each recipe is simple, delicious, and perfect for celebrating the season.
Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just for fun, I hope these treats inspire you to create cozy moments and sweet memories. Let’s dive into today’s recipe!
Day 9 Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Today’s treat is a holiday classic – Christmas Pinwheel Cookies! These vibrant red, white, and green sugar cookies are as festive as they are delicious. Soft, buttery, and with just the right amount of sweetness, they practically melt in your mouth. The sprinkle-covered edges add a satisfying crunch that makes them impossible to resist.
These cookies are perfect for adding color to your holiday cookie platter or enjoying with a cozy cup of hot cocoa by the tree.
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are soft, buttery, and full of festive flavor. The red, white, and green swirls make them a standout on any holiday cookie platter, while the sprinkle-coated edges add the perfect crunch. They’re a sweet and simple way to bring extra holiday cheer to your kitchen!
Supplies You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – For mixing the dough.
- Hand mixer or stand mixer – To cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Measuring cups and spoons – For accurate ingredient measurements.
- Rolling pin – To roll out the dough evenly for the perfect swirl.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – Prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- Sharp knife or bench scraper – To slice clean, even pinwheel cookies.
- Baking sheets – For baking the cookies to golden perfection.
- Plastic wrap – Helps chill and firm the dough before slicing.
- Sprinkles for rolling – Adds a festive, crunchy edge to each cookie.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), room temperature
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- red gel food coloring
- green gel food coloring
- sprinkles
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the dry ingredients – in a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugar – in a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Combine – slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
5. Divide the dough into three equal parts.
6. Add color – mix red gel coloring into one portion until you reach the desired shade (keep in mind it will lighten as it bakes). Add green gel coloring to the second portion and leave the third plain.
7. Chill the dough – wrap each section in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
8. Roll out the dough – place parchment paper over each piece of dough and roll it into a rectangle, roughly 12×8 inches. Repeat for each color.
9. Layer and roll – Stack the dough layers, then use a pizza cutter to trim the edges for a clean, even shape. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, pressing gently as you go to keep the layers together.
10. Wrap and chill – wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
11. Slice – cut the chilled dough into ¼-inch slices.
12. Add sprinkles – roll the edges of each cookie in sprinkles and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch between each.
13. Bake – bake for 8-10 minutes until set but not browned.
14. Cool – let the cookies cool before serving.
Print
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 3 dozen 1x
Description
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
These red, white, and green swirl sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Each bite is sweet with a hint of vanilla, and the sprinkle-covered edges add the perfect festive crunch. Perfect for holiday parties, cookie platters, or enjoying by the tree with a warm drink. A classic Christmas treat that’s as tasty as it is beautiful!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), room temperature
- 1 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- red gel food coloring
- green gel food coloring
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the dry ingredients – in a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar – in a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Combine – slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Divide the dough into three equal parts.
- Add color – mix red gel coloring into one portion until you reach the desired shade (keep in mind it will lighten as it bakes). Add green gel coloring to the second portion and leave the third plain.
- Chill the dough – wrap each section in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough – place parchment paper over each piece of dough and roll it into a rectangle, roughly 12×8 inches. Repeat for each color.
- Layer and roll –stack the dough layers, then use a pizza cutter to trim the edges for a clean, even shape. Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, pressing gently as you go to keep the layers together.
- Wrap and chill – wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Slice – cut the chilled dough into ¼-inch slices.
- Add sprinkles – roll the edges of each cookie in sprinkles and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch between each.
- Bake – bake for 8-10 minutes until set but not browned.
- Cool – let the cookies cool before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Chill Time: 1-2 hours
- Cook Time: 8 – 10 minutes
How to Store
At Room Temperature: Place the cookies in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep them in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness.
In the Refrigerator: For longer storage, keep the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freezing: To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Tip: If freezing unbaked dough, wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Slice and bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
And That’s a Wrap – Sweet Holiday Magic in Every Bite!
And that’s a wrap on these festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies!
With their bright swirls and sweet, buttery flavor, they’re sure to add a little extra magic to your holiday season. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or enjoying a quiet moment by the tree, these cookies are a simple way to bring warmth and cheer to your home.
Don’t forget to pin the image so you can easily find this recipe for your next holiday baking day!
If you missed Day 8 – Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix, you can check it out here and pin that too – because nothing pairs better with cookies than a cozy cup of hot cocoa.
For more holiday recipes and cozy living inspiration, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Happy baking and happy holidays! Xoxo- Tandra
