Pinwheel Cookies – A Festive Christmas Cookie Favorite

The smell of butter and vanilla always feels like the start of Christmas in my kitchen. These pinwheel cookies brighten every holiday table with their colorful swirls of red, green, and vanilla. They look playful, taste buttery, and sparkle with a sweet crunch from red sanding sugar. Simple enough for kids to help with, yet special enough to impress, these cookies turn baking into a joyful tradition.

Why You’ll Love These Pinwheel Cookies

These cookies bring color and cheer to every dessert tray. Their soft, buttery texture with crisp sugar edges makes each bite irresistible. The dough rolls out smoothly and stays easy to handle, even for beginners. You can also change the colors for any celebration or match a party theme. Most importantly, they stay soft for days, making them perfect for gifting or cookie swaps. They pair beautifully with chocolate crinkle cookies for a festive dessert tray or even peppermint bark brownies for holiday baking.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need a few pantry staples for these pinwheel cookies.

• Butter and sugar create a rich, creamy base.
• Egg and vanilla add smooth flavor and help the dough bind.
• Flour, baking soda, and salt give structure and balance.
• Gel food coloring gives bold color without changing the texture.
• Red sanding sugar adds sparkle and crunch.

If you use liquid food coloring, add a bit more flour to offset extra moisture. Always chill the dough to keep it easy to roll and shape.

How to Make Pinwheel Cookies Step by Step

Step 1 – Prepare the Dough

Start by creaming butter and sugar for about 3 to 4 minutes until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, then beat again. In another bowl, whisk flour, salt, and baking soda. Slowly mix dry ingredients into the butter mixture until combined. Avoid overmixing so your cookies stay tender.

Step 2 – Divide and Color

Split the dough into three equal parts. Color one red, one green, and leave the last one plain. Wrap each in plastic and chill for 1 hour. Chilling firms up the dough, which makes rolling smoother and prevents sticking.

Step 3 – Roll, Stack, and Shape

Roll each chilled dough ball between parchment paper into 7-inch squares. Chill again for 15 minutes. Stack them in the order you like—red, green, then plain—and roll into a neat 12×8-inch rectangle. Remove the top parchment, then roll lengthwise into a tight log. Wrap and freeze for 1 hour so the colors hold their shape when sliced.

Step 4 – Slice, Bake, and Cool

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment. Slice the dough log into 1/3-inch cookies, roll the edges in red sanding sugar, and space them 1 inch apart on the sheet. Bake for 8–10 minutes until set. Cool on the tray for a minute, then move to a wire rack. Store in an airtight container once cooled.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Use gel food coloring for bold, vibrant hues. If the dough feels sticky, chill it longer before rolling. For clean spirals, press the dough layers evenly before rolling. Also, lightly brush cookie edges with water to help sanding sugar stick better. You can change the color combo for any event pastel pink and yellow for spring, or red and white for Valentine’s Day. Try pairing them with snickerdoodle cookies with a classic cinnamon twist or pistachio pudding cookies for a colorful treat.

Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead Options

Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To freeze dough, wrap the log tightly and store for up to three months. When ready to bake, thaw slightly until firm enough to slice. This makes it easy to bake fresh pinwheel cookies whenever guests arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Such Recipes

• Chocolate chip cookies as a timeless holiday favorite
• Patriotic sugar cookie bars for a festive celebration
• Peanut butter balls for a no-bake Christmas sweet

Conclusion

Baking pinwheel cookies feels like wrapping joy into every swirl. They’re colorful, soft, and full of that buttery holiday magic. Perfect for cookie swaps or family baking nights, these cookies always bring smiles. So gather your mixing bowls, some red and green gel, and make your kitchen smell like Christmas. Don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest or join the holiday fun on Facebook.

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