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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon salt I start with the dry mix. First, I take all-purpose flour. It gives the cookies their structure. Then, I add baking powder. This helps the cookies rise. Finally, I sprinkle in salt. Salt balances the sweetness and enhances flavor. - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract Next, I focus on the wet ingredients. I use unsalted butter that’s nice and soft. This makes it easy to cream with granulated sugar. Together, they make a light and fluffy base. Then, I add one large egg for moisture. Vanilla and almond extracts add lovely flavors to the dough. - 1/2 cup red food coloring - 1/2 cup green food coloring - 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting) Now comes the fun part: coloring! I use red and green food coloring to make my dough festive. I mix each color into half of the dough. After baking, I dust the cookies with powdered sugar. This adds a snowy finish, making them look extra special. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by whisking together the dry ingredients. In a bowl, mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. This step makes sure your cookies rise well. Next, cream 1 cup of softened unsalted butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process adds air to your dough and gives your cookies a nice texture. Now, add in 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the butter-sugar mix. Stir well until everything is combined. Gradually, add the flour mix to this wet mixture. Keep stirring until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough into two equal parts. Transfer each half into separate bowls. Add 1/2 cup of red food coloring to one half and 1/2 cup of green food coloring to the other half. Mix each color well until the dough is fully colored. Place each colored dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll them out into rectangles about 1/4 inch thick. This helps to get even shapes. Once rolled, chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This makes the dough firm and easier to work with. After chilling, peel off the parchment paper. Lay the red dough over the green dough and press gently to stick. Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly to create a log shape. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill it again for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the dough log from the fridge and slice it into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Place these slices on the prepared baking sheets. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. After baking, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Finally, dust them with powdered sugar for a festive touch. Enjoy your colorful Christmas pinwheel cookies! To make great Christmas pinwheel cookies, you must measure your flour correctly. Use a spoon to scoop the flour into a measuring cup, then level it off with a knife. This method keeps the flour from packing down, which can lead to dry cookies. Chilling the dough is also key. It helps the dough hold its shape when you roll it out. After mixing your dough, chill it for at least 30 minutes. This step makes rolling easier and gives you better results. To bake evenly, space your cookies well on the baking sheet. Place them about two inches apart. This allows hot air to flow around each cookie. When it comes to knowing if they are done, look for color. The edges should be lightly golden. If the centers still look a bit soft, that is okay. They will firm up as they cool. Adding festive toppings makes your cookies shine. Try using colored sprinkles or edible glitter to enhance the fun. You can also drizzle melted chocolate on top for an extra touch. For creative serving, stack the cookies in a clear jar or arrange them on a festive platter. They can also make lovely gifts. Wrap them in holiday-themed boxes to share with friends and family. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough helps prevent it from sticking and makes it easier to roll out the colors without blending them. Use High-Quality Food Coloring: Opt for gel food coloring for vibrant colors that won't alter the dough texture. Perfect Slicing: Use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to slice the dough log for clean edges and uniform cookie thickness. Store Properly: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness, and they can last for up to a week. {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of your Christmas pinwheel cookies with fun extracts. Use peppermint extract for a fresh twist. Or try lemon for a bright taste. Adding cocoa powder also gives a rich chocolate flavor. You can even mix in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth. These changes can make your cookies unique and exciting. Don’t feel limited to red and green! You can create many color schemes. Use blue and silver for a winter wonderland theme. Or try pink and white for a sweet look. Mix different colors to create fun patterns. Swirls, stripes, or even polka dots can add more cheer to your cookies. If you need gluten-free cookies, swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Make sure it has xanthan gum for the right texture. For vegan cookies, replace the egg with flaxseed meal and water. Use vegan butter instead of regular butter. These swaps let everyone enjoy delicious cookies at your holiday gathering. To keep your Christmas pinwheel cookies fresh, use an airtight container. I recommend glass or plastic containers with tight seals. Line the bottom with parchment paper to absorb moisture. Store them at room temperature away from direct sunlight. This way, they stay tasty for longer. Freezing the dough is easy and a great way to save time. To freeze unbaked dough, wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place it in a freezer bag. It can freeze for up to three months. When ready to bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before slicing. For baked cookies, let them cool completely. Once cooled, layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They can stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months, too. Just thaw them at room temperature before serving. These festive cookies can last up to one week when stored properly. If you keep them in the fridge, they may last a bit longer. Signs of spoilage include a hard texture or off smell. If they feel soft or sticky, it’s best to toss them. Enjoy your Christmas pinwheel cookies while they’re fresh and tasty! Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. Just follow these steps: - Prepare the dough as usual but do not roll it yet. - Divide it into two halves and color them. - Wrap each half in plastic wrap. - Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. - If you need more time, freeze the dough for up to 3 months. - When you’re ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling and baking. You can tell the cookies are done by looking closely. - Bake them for 10-12 minutes. - Look for lightly golden edges. - The centers may look soft, which is normal. They will firm up as they cool. - If you see any browning on the bottom, take them out right away. Absolutely! You can change the shapes of your pinwheel cookies. - Instead of traditional rounds, cut them into squares or triangles. - You can also use cookie cutters for fun shapes like stars or hearts. - Just keep the rolling and stacking steps the same. - This adds a personal touch to your festive treats! This blog post covered all you need to make colorful pinwheel cookies. We explored the key ingredients, from all-purpose flour to various extracts. You learned step-by-step how to prepare, color, and bake the dough perfectly. I shared tips for achieving great results and offered fun variations and storage tips. Now, you can create your own festive cookies with confidence. Enjoy baking and experimenting with colors and flavors! Happy baking!

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Festive cookies with vibrant red and green colors, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon almond extract
  • 0.5 cup red food coloring
  • 0.5 cup green food coloring
  • 0.25 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture, mixing well until combined.
  • Gradually stir in the flour mixture until a dough forms.
  • Divide the dough in half and transfer to two separate bowls.
  • Add the red food coloring to one half and the green food coloring to the other half. Mix each color of dough until fully colored.
  • Place each colored dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll them out into rectangles about 1/4 inch thick.
  • Chill the rolled-out doughs in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, until firm.
  • Once chilled, peel away the parchment paper and lay the red dough over the green dough. Press gently to adhere.
  • Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough to create a log shape. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Remove the chilled dough log from the refrigerator and slice it into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Place them on the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  • Once cool, dust with powdered sugar for an extra festive touch.

Notes

Serve these vibrant pinwheel cookies on a festive platter, or package them in holiday-themed boxes for a sweet gift.
Keyword Christmas, cookies, holiday