Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

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Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a delightful treat that captures the essence of holiday cheer. With their vibrant swirls of red and green dough, these festive cookies not only look stunning on any dessert table but are also irresistibly delicious. Imagine biting into a soft, buttery cookie that melts in your mouth, bursting with flavor thanks to a hint of vanilla and the perfect texture that comes from the mix of ingredients. This recipe offers a step-by-step guide to creating these showstoppers, making it suitable for bakers of all skill levels. Whether for a holiday gathering, a cozy family evening, or simply to enjoy with a warm cup of cocoa, these cookies are worth your time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The beauty of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies lies in their ease of preparation and stunning visual appeal. With a straightforward set of steps, even novice bakers can achieve delightful results. This recipe is family-friendly, making it an excellent opportunity to involve the little ones in the kitchen. Plus, the use of minimal ingredients means you won’t have to break the bank to whip up a batch. Perfect for traditional holiday snacking, these cookies also bring a fun twist to the classic cookie exchange. Your family and friends will love the colorful presentation and the delightful taste.

Ingredients for Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

• 2 3/4 cups plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour: This forms the backbone of your cookie, providing the right texture.
• 1 tsp baking soda: Essential for a gentle rise, ensuring the cookies are light and fluffy.
• 1/2 tsp baking powder: Works in tandem with baking soda to create the perfect dough.
• 1/2 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature: Creates a rich, creamy base.
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve that light, fluffy texture.
• 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together while adding moisture.
• 2 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses the cookies with a warm and inviting flavor.
• Red and green gel icing color: Adds the festive colors that make this cookie pop!
• 3-4 tbsp sprinkles (optional): For an extra festive touch to the edges.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk them together until well mixed, then set aside for later use.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixer bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a soft texture.

3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the large egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Continue mixing until everything is well combined.

4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.

5. Divide and Color the Dough: Divide the dough in half. Color one half with red gel icing color and the other half with green. Wrap each dough piece in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to firm up.

6. Roll Out the Dough: On a piece of parchment paper, roll out the colored dough into rectangles measuring approximately 8×14 inches.

7. Layer and Roll: Place the red dough on top of the green dough. Roll the dough tightly starting from the longer side, ensuring you maintain a tight roll.

8. Chill the Log: Cut the log in half and wrap each tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set the shape.

9. Preheat the Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper.

10. Slice and Bake: Remove the dough from the fridge and slice the logs into ½ inch thick discs. If desired, roll the edges in sprinkles for an extra festive look. Bake for 9-12 minutes until the edges are slightly golden.

11. Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Tips & Tricks

To get the most out of your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, consider these chef’s secrets. Use gel icing colors for a more vibrant dough, as they provide a more intense hue than liquid colors. Ensure your butter is at room temperature to adequately cream it with sugar for the fluffiest texture. If you’re short on time, you can skip the refrigeration step, but letting the dough chill helps the flavors meld and makes for easier rolling.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Present your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies on a festive platter to showcase their colorful spirals. Pair them with a hot cup of cocoa or a rich eggnog for a perfect holiday treat. For added flair, serve them alongside fresh fruit or whipped cream for a delightful contrast. Guests will love the playful appearance and dynamic flavors.

Nutritional Information

Each cookie contains approximately 120 calories, making them a delightful yet indulgent treat to enjoy during the holidays. While they’re a sweet addition to your festive celebrations, moderation is key, especially if you’re keeping an eye on sugar intake.

Storing Tips & Variations for Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, retaining their delightful texture. For longer storage, consider freezing the dough logs before cutting. When you’re ready to bake, simply transfer to the fridge to thaw before slicing and baking. You can also experiment with flavors—add a hint of almond extract or even citrus zest for a unique twist on this classic recipe.

Conclusion for Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Don’t let the holidays pass by without trying out these vibrant and delicious Christmas Pinwheel Cookies. Their colorful swirls and delightful flavor make them a must-have for your festive baking. Gather your ingredients and make this easy step-by-step recipe today for a fun culinary adventure that will fill your kitchen with joy and warmth.

FAQs

1. Can I use other colors for the dough?
Absolutely! Feel free to use different colors to customize the cookies for various occasions, such as birthdays or other holidays.

2. How do I get my cookies to stay soft?
Avoid overbaking! Take them out of the oven when they are lightly golden on the edges, allowing them to remain soft as they cool.

3. Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, the dough can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months until you’re ready to bake.

4. What can I do to make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just make sure the blend contains a binding agent.

5. How should I decorate the cookies for an extra festive touch?
In addition to sprinkles, consider using edible glitter or drizzling melted chocolate over the tops for added texture and flavor.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Delight in the festive flavors of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, a beautiful treat featuring vibrant red and green dough swirls that are as delicious as they are visually appealing.

• Author: catherine
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 3/4 cups plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Red gel icing color
• Green gel icing color
• 3–4 tbsp sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together, then set aside.
2. Cream together unsalted butter and granulated sugar in a large mixer bowl on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing well until combined.
4. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
5. Divide the dough in half and color one half with red gel icing color and the other half with green.
6. Wrap each colored dough piece in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
7. Roll out the colored dough into rectangles (approximately 8×14 inches) on parchment paper.
8. Place the red dough on top of the green dough and roll tightly starting from the longer side.
9. Chill the log, wrapped in plastic wrap, for at least 2 hours.
10. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper.
11. Slice the log into ½ inch thick discs and bake for 9-12 minutes until the edges are slightly golden.
12. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Notes

Use gel icing colors for a more vibrant color and make sure butter is at room temperature for the best texture. Refrigerating the dough helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to roll.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

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