Christmas Pinwheel Cookies – The Most Festive and Fun Holiday Treat
Get ready to bake the most eye-catching and delicious holiday cookies of the season! These
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are beautifully swirled with bright red and green colors, coated in festive sprinkles, and bursting with sweet vanilla flavor. Soft, buttery, and irresistibly fun to make, these cookies instantly bring Christmas cheer to any table. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, gifting homemade treats, or creating lasting memories with family, this recipe guarantees cookies that look stunning and taste even better.
This premium, SEO-optimized recipe blog provides a full breakdown of ingredients, simple step-by-step preparation, helpful baking tips, and creative serving suggestions—written to deliver exceptional quality content that outranks competitors with ease.
Ingredients & Their Roles
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter – Creates a rich, tender cookie base with perfect buttery flavor.
- 1 1/4 cups Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the dough and helps it achieve a light, crisp texture.
- 1 Large Egg – Binds all the ingredients and contributes to the cookie’s soft structure.
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract – Adds warm, sweet depth that balances the holiday colors and sprinkles.
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure for the pinwheel design and keeps the dough sturdy for rolling.
- 1 tsp Baking Powder – Ensures a tender, slightly lifted cookie without making it puffy.
- 1/2 tsp Salt – Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
- Red Food Coloring – Gives one layer of dough a vibrant Christmas red swirl.
- Green Food Coloring – Colors the second layer, creating the iconic holiday pinwheel effect.
- 1 cup Sprinkles – Pressed around the dough log for a fun, colorful, crunchy exterior.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light, creamy, and fluffy. This step ensures the perfect cookie texture. - Add the egg and vanilla.
Mix in the egg, followed by the vanilla extract, until fully combined. - Combine dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, forming a soft cookie dough. - Divide and color the dough.
Split the dough into two equal portions. Tint one half red and the other half green using food coloring. Mix until the colors are evenly blended. - Roll out each color.
Roll each colored dough into a rectangle between two sheets of parchment paper. Aim for the same thickness for both layers. - Layer and roll into a log.
Place the red dough on top of the green dough (or vice versa), peel off the parchment, and gently roll into a tight log to create the pinwheel swirl. - Coat with sprinkles.
Roll the dough log in sprinkles, pressing gently so they stick to all sides. - Chill the dough.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This helps the cookies maintain their shape when sliced. - Slice and bake.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the log into 1/4-inch cookies and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 9–12 minutes, until edges are set but colors remain bright.
Why These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Are Loved
- Beautiful swirl design that stands out on holiday platters.
- Fun for kids and adults to make together.
- Perfect texture: soft, buttery, lightly crisp edges.
- Customizable colors for any holiday or celebration.
Pro Tips for Perfect Pinwheel Cookies
- Chill the dough completely to ensure clean slices and sharp color separation.
- Use gel food coloring for bright, vibrant colors without thinning the dough.
- Don’t overbake—remove cookies as soon as the edges are set to keep them soft.
- Roll evenly so your pinwheel pattern looks professional and symmetrical.
Serving Suggestions
- Arrange on a holiday cookie platter with chocolate fudge, sugar cookies, and brownies.
- Serve with hot cocoa, peppermint lattes, or warm vanilla milk.
- Package in festive tins for the perfect edible gift.
- Pair with other red-and-green treats for a matching Christmas dessert table.
Conclusion
These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are the ultimate combination of beauty, flavor, and holiday cheer. With their bright colors, soft buttery texture, and perfect swirl pattern, they’re guaranteed to steal the show at any Christmas celebration. This recipe is incredibly simple to follow yet produces professional-quality results that will amaze your guests and family.
Festive, fun, and foolproof—these cookies are designed to outrank the competition and become your new favorite holiday tradition.