CHRISTMAS PINWHEEL COOKIES

Enjoy these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies—a festive, fun treat perfect for holiday parties or edible gifts. These cookies have beautiful red and green swirls that create an eye-catching design, ideal for Christmas celebrations.

Each bite is buttery, sweet, and crisp with a soft center that melts in your mouth. Made from a simple sugar cookie dough, they’re flavoured with vanilla and tinted in cheerful holiday colours.

The dough is rolled into vibrant red and white layers, then twisted into pinwheel shapes that bake into eye-catching treats perfect for the season. Kids and adults alike love the whimsical design and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

These cookies are great for parties, holiday platters, and edible gift boxes. They’re surprisingly easy to prepare with just a few basic ingredients, and they freeze well, making them ideal for prepping ahead of time.

Whether you’re baking for fun or filling a cookie tray, these pinwheels add a touch of magic and tradition to your Christmas celebrations. A guaranteed holiday favourite you’ll want to bake every year!

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Festive and Fun Design: Swirled red and white layers make these cookies stand out on holiday trays and impress everyone with minimal effort.

• Buttery and Soft Texture: The dough bakes into tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that are crisp on the edges and soft in the center.

• Simple Ingredients: Basic pantry staples like butter, sugar, and flour come together beautifully without needing anything fancy or hard to find.

• Kid-Friendly Activity: Children will enjoy helping roll and shape the dough, making this recipe a wonderful family baking tradition each December.

• Great for Gifting: These cookies hold up well in boxes, stay fresh for days, and make adorable edible presents for neighbours and friends.

• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can refrigerate or freeze the dough in advance and bake fresh cookies just when you need them most.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• Red gel food colouring
• Sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Step No.1: Whisk dry ingredients
  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside while you prepare the wet mixture.

• Step No.2: Cream butter and sugar
  In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps create the soft, tender cookie texture.

• Step No.3: Add egg and vanilla
  Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated. Scrape down the bowl to ensure even mixing throughout.

• Step No.4: Combine wet and dry
  Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix until a smooth dough forms. Divide dough evenly into two portions.

• Step No.5: Tint half with colour
  Add red gel food colouring to one portion and knead until fully coloured. Leave the second portion plain for the white swirl.

• Step No.6: Roll and stack
  Roll each dough portion into a rectangle on parchment paper. Stack red on white and roll tightly into a log. Chill 2 hours.

• Step No.7: Slice and bake
  Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice dough into ¼-inch rounds. Add sprinkles if desired. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until set.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• Chill Dough Well: Chilling the rolled dough log ensures clean, sharp slices and helps prevent cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

• Use Gel Colour Only: Gel food colouring gives vibrant red tones without altering the dough texture, unlike liquid food dyes that add moisture.

• Roll Dough Evenly: Use a ruler or guides to get uniform thickness in both layers for an attractive and even pinwheel appearance.

• Use Parchment Paper: Rolling the dough between parchment sheets prevents sticking and makes stacking and rolling the pinwheel much easier.

• Don’t Overbake: Bake until just set. Overbaking leads to dry cookies that lose their soft, tender texture and buttery flavour.

• Slice with a Sharp Knife: Use a sharp serrated knife to get clean edges when slicing through chilled dough logs for neat cookie shapes.

VARIATIONS

• Add Peppermint Flavour: Substitute vanilla with peppermint extract for a refreshing holiday twist that pairs perfectly with the red and white design.

• Dip in white chocolate: After baking, dip half of each cookie in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint or festive sprinkles.

• Use Green Dough: Swap red for green or make two-toned red and green cookies for an extra festive and colourful holiday treat.

• Try a Sugar Sprinkle Coating: Roll the dough log in red or green sanding sugar before slicing for a crunchy exterior and extra sparkle.

• Add Almond Extract: Replace vanilla with almond extract for a subtle nutty taste that complements the buttery dough beautifully.

• Fill with Jam: Spread a thin layer of raspberry or cherry jam between the stacked dough layers before rolling for a fruity flavour swirl.

SERVING AND STORAGE

Serving

Serve cookies with hot cocoa or milk on a holiday cookie platter. They pair well with festive drinks or seasonal dessert spreads.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.

FAQ

These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are the perfect blend of whimsy and tradition.

Their colourful swirls bring festive charm to any dessert tray, and their buttery taste keeps guests coming back for more.

Best of all, they’re a breeze to make in batches, chill ahead, and bake fresh whenever needed.

Whether you're gifting them in tins, serving them at holiday parties, or simply enjoying them with a cup of cocoa, these cookies are bound to become a seasonal staple in your kitchen.

Their playful look and melt-in-your-mouth texture make them as joyful to eat as they are to share.