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–+ servings
Colorful and festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies on a decorative plate.
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5 from 4 votes

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Creamy, buttery, and delightfully festive, these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a treat that makes winter mornings feel like a warm hug.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time2 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Festive, Holiday
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 120kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Electric Mixer
  • Parchment Paper
  • Baking Sheet
  • Wire Rack

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups All-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup Powdered sugar sifted
  • 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
  • 2.5 sticks Unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Coloring

  • Food coloring red and green gel or liquid, as needed

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
  • In a separate large bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until light and creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed.
  • Add vanilla extract and mix for another 30 seconds to incorporate flavor evenly.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix — stop when the flour disappears.
  • Divide the dough into two equal portions. Place each portion on separate pieces of parchment. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one portion and green to the other, kneading gently until color is uniform.
  • Roll out each colored dough between parchment sheets to about 1/8-inch thickness, making two rectangles of similar size. Carefully lift and layer the green dough on top of the red dough (or vice versa).
  • Starting at one short side, tightly roll the layered dough into a log. Press the seam gently to seal. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
  • When chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the log and slice into 1/4-inch rounds using a sharp knife. If the log softens, chill briefly between slices.
  • Arrange the cookie rounds on a lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just golden — watch closely so the centers stay pale.
  • Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. Cooling helps the swirls set and keeps the edges crisp.

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 30mg | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.5mg