Pin it
The story of my Cream Cheese Jam Pinwheel Cookies started in my grandmother's kitchen. She taught me how to get that perfect swirl and now it's one of my most treasured recipes. The way the cream cheese makes the dough so tender and flaky while the jam creates beautiful spirals of sweetness is simply magical. Every time I make them I think of her.
More Than Just Pretty
What makes these cookies so special is that perfect balance of tangy cream cheese dough and sweet fruity jam. They might look fancy but they're actually quite simple to make. Every time I bring them to gatherings people can't believe they're homemade.
What You'll Need
- Cream Cheese: 4 oz, softened, for a rich and tender dough.
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick), softened, for a flaky, buttery base.
- Granulated Sugar: ¼ cup, for subtle sweetness in the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon, to enhance the flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: 1¼ cups, to form the cookie dough.
- Jam: ⅓ cup of your favorite flavor (raspberry, strawberry, or apricot work beautifully).
- Optional Toppings: Powdered sugar or a simple icing for garnish.
Let's Make Some Pinwheels
- Start with Your Dough
- Beat together your cream cheese and butter until it's perfectly smooth then mix in the sugar and vanilla.
- Give It a Rest
- Wrap up your dough and let it chill this makes it so much easier to roll out.
- Create Those Swirls
- Roll out your dough between parchment then spread that jam in a nice thin layer.
- Roll and Chill Again
- Roll it up nice and tight then give it another chill so you get clean pretty slices.
- Bake with Love
- Slice into rounds and watch them turn golden in the oven.
- Add the Final Touch
- Let them cool then dust with a little powdered sugar they look like little snowflakes.
Mix It Up
I love experimenting with different jams raspberry is my favorite but apricot makes them taste like fancy Danish pastries. Sometimes I add cinnamon or chopped nuts to the filling. My kids go crazy when I use Nutella instead of jam.
Pin it
Keep Them Fresh
These cookies stay beautiful for days in an airtight container. I love keeping a roll of dough in the freezer ready to slice and bake whenever we need something special.
Simply Beautiful
There's something so satisfying about making these cookies. Each swirl is like a little work of art and they never fail to make people smile. Whether for afternoon tea or holiday gifts they're always a perfect choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What type of jam works best?
- Any smooth jam works well - raspberry, strawberry, or apricot are popular choices. Avoid chunky preserves as they can make rolling difficult.
- → Why chill the dough twice?
- First chilling makes the dough easier to roll, second chilling helps maintain the pinwheel shape when slicing. Don't skip these steps.
- → Can these be made ahead?
- Yes, the dough logs can be wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator before slicing and baking.
- → How do I prevent jam from leaking?
- Use a thin layer of jam and leave a border around the edges. Don't overfill, as jam will spread during baking.
- → Why aren't my slices perfectly round?
- Make sure dough is well-chilled before slicing. Use a sharp knife and wipe clean between cuts for the cleanest rounds.