These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are not only festive and beautiful but also delicious and easy to make. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or just a fun baking project with the family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- These cookies have a buttery, vanilla flavor that is irresistible.
- With a quick prep time, you can have these cookies ready to bake in no time.
- They are versatile and can be customized with different colors and sprinkles for various occasions.
Ingredient Notes:
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the cookies.
- Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors in the cookies.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and flavor to the dough.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients together.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Red and green food coloring: Gives the cookies a festive look.
- Sprinkles: Adds a fun and colorful touch.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half and color one half red and the other green.
- Roll out each colored dough into a rectangle, then stack them on top of each other.
- Roll the dough into a log and chill for at least an hour.
- Slice the dough into rounds, place on a baking sheet, and top with sprinkles.
- Bake until golden brown and let cool before serving.
Helpful Tips:
- Chill the dough before slicing to make it easier to handle.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors and to prevent the dough from becoming too watery.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature to ensure a smooth and creamy dough.
- Don’t overmix the dough to prevent tough cookies.
- Experiment with different colors and patterns for unique designs.
Serving Suggestions:
These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies pair well with a cup of hot cocoa or a glass of milk. They also make a beautiful addition to a holiday dessert platter.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To reheat, place them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes to refresh them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I freeze the cookie dough? Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months.
- Can I use natural food coloring instead of gel colors? Yes, but the colors may not be as vibrant.
- Can I omit the sprinkles? Yes, feel free to customize the cookies with your favorite toppings.
- How far in advance can I make these cookies? You can make the dough ahead of time and bake the cookies when needed.
Conclusion:
These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a delightful treat that is sure to impress your family and friends. Get creative with the colors and decorations to make them your own. Enjoy baking and sharing these festive cookies this holiday season!
Print
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10-12 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a festive and colorful treat perfect for the holiday season. With a buttery vanilla base and vibrant red and green swirls, these cookies are sure to impress at any Christmas gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
-
- 12.75 oz all-purpose flour (3 cups)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
-
- 8 oz unsalted butter (1 cup), at room temperature
- 8.75 oz granulated sugar (1.25 cups)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Additional:
- Red and green food coloring
- 6.75 oz sprinkles (1 cup)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Color the Dough: Divide the dough in half. Color one half red and the other green with food coloring. Roll out each dough into a rectangle.
- Assemble the Cookies: Place the green dough on top of the red dough. Roll the dough into a log, then roll it in sprinkles. Chill the log for at least 1 hour.
- Bake: Preheat the oven, slice the log into cookies, and bake for about 10-12 minutes. Let cool before serving.
Notes
- You can customize the colors and sprinkles to suit any occasion.
- Make sure to chill the dough log well before slicing for clean pinwheel shapes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg