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I started making these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies when my kids begged for something extra special for their holiday bake sale. Those beautiful swirls of red green and white never fail to make everyone smile. The first time I sliced into that chilled dough log and saw those perfect spirals it felt like Christmas magic had happened right in my kitchen.
Worth Every Step
While these cookies take a bit more time than your average sugar cookie the results are absolutely worth it. My family loves gathering around to see the swirls appear as I slice through the dough. Plus that classic buttery vanilla flavor makes them as delicious as they are beautiful.
What You'll Need
- All-Purpose Flour: 2½ cups, for structure and texture.
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon, to help the cookies rise slightly.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon, to balance the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (room temperature), for a rich and tender base.
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup, for sweetness.
- Egg: 1 large, room temperature, for binding the ingredients.
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons, for classic flavor.
- Gel Food Coloring: Red and green, for vibrant holiday colors.
Let's Create Some Magic
- Start Your Dough
- Mix up your flour mixture then cream that butter and sugar until it's light as snow.
- Add Some Color
- Split your dough into three parts and transform two with those festive colors.
- Patience is Key
- Let each layer chill properly it makes all the difference in those perfect swirls.
- Roll with Care
- Stack those pretty layers and roll them up tight like wrapping a special gift.
- The Big Reveal
- Slice through that chilled log to see those beautiful spirals then watch them turn golden in the oven.
My Best Tips
The gel food coloring really makes those colors pop without making your dough too wet. Don't rush the chilling steps they're what give you those clean swirls. Sometimes I add a tiny drop of peppermint extract during the holidays it makes the whole house smell like Christmas.
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Keep Them Fresh
These cookies stay beautiful for days in an airtight container. I love keeping a roll or two of dough in the freezer ready to slice and bake whenever we need some holiday cheer. They make the sweetest gifts packaged in clear bags tied with festive ribbons.
Holiday Wonder
These pinwheel cookies always bring such joy to our holiday celebrations. Watching someone's face light up when they see those colorful swirls makes all the careful rolling and chilling worth it. They're like little pieces of Christmas magic on a cookie plate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I get vibrant colors?
Start with ¼ teaspoon of liquid food coloring and add more until desired color is achieved. If using gel coloring, start with a few drops as it's more concentrated.
- → Why do we refrigerate multiple times?
Chilling helps firm up the dough making it easier to roll, layer, and slice. Don't skip these steps for best results.
- → Can I make these ahead?
Yes, you can refrigerate the completed dough log for up to 3 days before slicing and baking, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- → Why trim the edges?
Trimming creates straight edges which help achieve a neater spiral when rolling. The ends are discarded as they won't show the pinwheel pattern.
- → What if my dough cracks while rolling?
If the dough cracks, gently pinch it back together. Working with room temperature dough can help prevent cracking.