Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Festive

These festive Christmas pinwheel cookies are the ultimate holiday showstopper for your dessert tray. With their striking red, green, and white spiral pattern, these cookies deliver both eye catching appeal and delicious vanilla flavor in every bite. Ready in just over an hour with 25 minutes of prep, Christmas pinwheel cookies will quickly earn a place in your holiday baking traditions by turning simple pantry staples into a dazzling edible centerpiece.

I first made these pinwheel cookies for my family's Christmas cookie exchange three years ago, and now they are a beloved staple every season. Every time I serve Christmas pinwheel cookies, the bright spirals disappear from the tray first, impressing kids and adults alike with their festive look. Even more, the straightforward technique means I can create bakery quality results at home without complicated steps, making this one of my most requested holiday treats.

Gather Your Ingredients

• Unsalted butter, softened: This creates a rich base and ensures the cookies have a tender crumb; measure two thirds cup at room temperature for easy creaming, and if needed, use a dairy free substitute for allergy friendly cookies
• Granulated sugar: Adds the perfect sweetness and structure to each swirl, use two thirds cup for a balanced taste, and superfine sugar can be swapped in if desired
• Egg, room temperature: One egg helps bind the dough, mixes smoothly for even spirals, and you can use a flax egg for a vegan version
• Pure vanilla extract: A teaspoon of high quality vanilla creates that classic holiday aroma; almond extract is a tasty alternative in the plain layer
• All purpose flour: One and three quarter cups, measured by spoon and level method for accuracy, ensures perfect texture; gluten free flour blends can be substituted as needed
• Kosher salt: Half a teaspoon sharpens all the flavors and balances the sweetness, and table salt can work in a pinch
• Baking soda: A quarter teaspoon gives just enough lift for the cookies to bake up tender; avoid overusing to prevent spreading
• Red and green gel food coloring: Gel formulas ensure vibrant color without thinning the dough, and you can experiment with other hues for year round celebrations
• Red sanding sugar: Rolls onto the cookie edges for festive sparkle and adds a little crunch, but colored sprinkles or clear sanding sugar work as well

How to Make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Cream Butter and Sugar:

Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a stand mixer at medium speed for three to four minutes until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This creates an airy base for tender cookies and ensures proper blending. Scrape the bowl sides, then beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.

Combine Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk flour, kosher salt, and baking soda thoroughly for even distribution. Gradually add these dry ingredients into the butter mixture with the mixer on low speed. Mix just until combined to prevent overmixing, which helps maintain that classic cookie texture.

Divide and Color Dough:

Remove the finished dough and split it into three equal portions. Leave one part plain vanilla. Knead red gel food coloring into the second section and green into the third, mixing just enough for uniform color. Form each dough piece into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for thirty minutes so the dough becomes firm for easy rolling.

Roll and Layer Dough:

After chilling, roll each dough between two sheets of parchment paper to a seven inch square. This technique prevents sticking and allows for precise, evenly thick layers. Chill the rolled dough squares for an additional fifteen minutes while keeping them flat to retain sharp edges.

Stack and Roll Layers:

Arrange the red layer on the bottom, then the green, then the vanilla on top, using parchment to help align the layers. With another parchment sheet on top, gently and evenly roll the stack into a twelve by eight inch rectangle. Remove the upper parchment, working efficiently to keep dough cool.

Form Cookie Log:

Starting with a long edge, use the parchment base to tightly roll the layered dough into a spiral log. Roll slowly to avoid gaps and make a compact, even roll. Wrap the finished log in parchment and freeze for one hour to ensure clean slicing later.

Slice and Decorate:

Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment. Slice the chilled dough log with a sharp serrated knife into one third inch rounds, using a gentle sawing motion. Roll each cookie edge in red sanding sugar, then arrange them one inch apart on the baking sheets, which prevents sticking and ensures even baking.

Bake and Cool:

Bake cookies for eight to ten minutes until just set, watching that the edges turn slightly golden while the centers remain soft. Let cool on the baking sheet for one minute, then move carefully to a wire rack. Complete cooling preserves both their texture and striking appearance.

These pinwheel cookies have quickly become my secret weapon for holiday gatherings, impressing everyone with their festive look. I remember the first year I made them, kids and adults were equally fascinated by the swirls and there was a race to grab the last one. Making them together has become a family ritual, and each season we try new colors or flavors for extra fun.

Smart Swaps and Variations

Switch up the look of Christmas pinwheel cookies by using different gel food coloring for various holidays like blue and white for Hanukkah or orange and black for Halloween. Try almond or peppermint extract in place of vanilla for extra holiday flair or make a chocolate swirl by blending two tablespoons of cocoa powder into the green layer instead of coloring. If you prefer, use colored sprinkles or sanding sugar of your choice on the edges for a unique finish that fits your celebration theme.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Store fully cooled Christmas pinwheel cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days, using parchment between layers to prevent the colors from transferring. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a freezer safe box for up to three months with parchment separating the layers, and thaw them at room temperature for one hour before serving. You can also freeze the unbaked dough log wrapped in parchment and plastic for up to two months, then simply slice and bake straight from frozen, adding one to two extra minutes of bake time to ensure perfect texture and color.

What to Serve with Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Create an impressive holiday dessert tray by pairing Christmas pinwheel cookies with gingerbread men, snowball cookies, or classic fudge for a delightful mix of flavors and textures. Serve them with mugs of homemade hot chocolate and peppermint stirrers for a cozy treat perfect for family gatherings or holiday parties. For a festive occasion, include them in cookie exchanges or arrange them on a platter with other red and green sweets for a picture perfect holiday presentation.

Nutritional Benefits

Baking your own holiday cookies like Christmas pinwheel cookies gives you control over the quality of ingredients and allergens, resulting in a fresher treat than store bought options. Real butter, pure vanilla extract, and the absence of artificial additives make these cookies a classic with better taste. Each cookie has about 102 calories, which allows for portion controlled indulging while still enjoying a delicious holiday tradition with family and friends.

Recipe Success Tips

The biggest issues with Christmas pinwheel cookies are soft dough, loose spirals, and color bleeding. If dough turns sticky, chill it for ten to fifteen minutes to firm up before proceeding. For the tightest spirals, always roll the dough log slowly with parchment's help, and if colors blend too much, switch to gel food coloring and keep layers chilled for the cleanest visual contrast. Use a ruler when rolling to ensure layers stay straight and even for that perfect bakery style presentation.

Christmas pinwheel cookies bring both festive color and delicious homemade vanilla flavor to every holiday celebration. Enjoy baking and sharing these beautiful spirals with family and friends knowing they will be the most memorable treat on your dessert table.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ How do I achieve vibrant swirls in these cookies?

Divide and color portions of chilled dough, then carefully stack and roll them for clear, distinct swirls throughout each cookie.

→ Can I freeze the dough ahead of time?

Yes, wrap the dough log tightly and freeze it for up to a month. Slice and bake straight from the freezer as needed.

→ What’s the best way to slice the cookies cleanly?

Use a sharp serrated knife and slice the dough while it's still very cold to prevent flattening and smearing the swirls.

→ Are there options for different colors or decorations?

Absolutely! Customize the dough with various food colorings or roll the edges in different types of sanding sugars and sprinkles for extra flair.

→ How should I store these cookies for maximum freshness?

Once cooled, keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze well if packed properly.