Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
These vibrant red and green swirled cookies are a delightful treat that brings joy to any holiday gathering. Easy to make and perfect for the festive season, they are loved by both kids and adults.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 3/4 cup salted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5-10 drops red gel food coloring For coloring the dough
- 5-10 drops green gel food coloring For coloring the dough
- as needed holiday colored nonpareils For coating the cookies
- 1/2-1 teaspoon additional flavoring extracts or lemon zest Optional for flavoring
Instructions
Preparation
- Combine butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar in a mixer and beat well until light and fluffy.
- Add in the eggs, vanilla, and any additional flavoring (if desired), scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl.
- Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. Divide the dough into three even-sized balls.
- Color one third of the dough with red gel food coloring and another third with green gel food coloring.
- Flatten each ball into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the freezer for 20 minutes or in the fridge for 1 hour.
Rolling and Chilling
- Roll out each disc of dough on parchment paper to create rectangles of the same size.
- Stack the red, white, and green layers, trim the edges, and then roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unwrap the chilled log, slice off the uneven ends, and cut into 1/4-inch cookies.
- Press the dough into nonpareils before placing them on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until set, then let cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Rolled dough can be frozen for longer storage.