Festive Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat, this Festive Pinwheel Cookies Recipe is going to become your new holiday favorite. I absolutely love how these cookies bring a pop of color and a swirl of flavor to any cookie tray — plus, making them is a fun little project that’s surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it. Stick with me — I’ll walk you through every step so your pinwheels come out perfectly festive and irresistibly tender!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Festive Pinwheel Cookies Recipe works together to give you that perfect balance of texture, taste, and color. I always recommend using good-quality butter and fresh eggs because they really lift the flavor, and the gel food coloring gives you those vibrant hues without changing the dough’s consistency.

• Salted Butter: Room temperature butter helps create a creamy dough that’s easy to work with and flavorful.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds necessary sweetness and helps with structure.
• Powdered Sugar: For a tender texture and slight melt-in-your-mouth feel.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
• Vanilla Extract: For that warm, inviting aroma and flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base; be sure to measure it properly to avoid dry or crumbly dough.
• Baking Powder: Gives a little lift so cookies aren’t too dense.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Red & Green Gel Food Coloring: Use gel over liquid for bold colors without messing with dough texture.
• Holiday Colored Nonpareils: These tiny sprinkles add a festive crunch and fun look on the outside.
• Optional Flavorings or Lemon Zest: I like to sometimes add almond extract or orange zest for an extra seasonal twist.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Festive Pinwheel Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to adjust colors, swap flavors, or try different decorations, making it your own keeps things fun and fresh.

• Chocolate Twist: Adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to one portion of the dough makes a beautiful chocolate swirl that my family goes crazy for.
• Spiced Version: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg mixed into the dough adds a cozy holiday vibe I absolutely adore.
• Vegan Adaptation: I experimented once with dairy-free butter and a flax egg; the texture was slightly different but still tasty.
• Sprinkle Swap: Try crushed peppermint candies or colored sugar instead of nonpareils for a different texture and festive look.

How to Make Festive Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars

Start by beating the softened butter together with the granulated and powdered sugars until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This might take about 3-5 minutes with a stand mixer or a good arm workout by hand. The lightness here is key—it helps your cookies stay tender, so don’t rush this part!

Step 2: Adding Eggs and Flavorings

Next, mix in those eggs, vanilla extract, and any optional flavorings you like. I usually add vanilla, but lemon zest is a personal favorite for brightening up the flavor. Make sure to scrape the bowl as you go so everything is evenly incorporated.

Step 3: Mixing Dry Ingredients and Dividing the Dough

Time to add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix just until everything comes together—overworking can make cookies tough. Then divide the dough into three equal balls for coloring.

Step 4: Coloring the Dough

Put one third of the dough back into your mixing bowl and stir in 5-10 drops of red gel food coloring until the color is even. Do the same with another third of dough for the green, leaving the last piece plain white. This step got me hooked because watching dough change colors is just so satisfying!

Step 5: Chilling the Dough Discs

Flatten each dough ball into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and chill—either in the freezer for 20 minutes if you’re short on time, or in the fridge for about an hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up so it’s easier to roll out and assemble.

Step 6: Rolling and Layering

One at a time, roll each disc on parchment paper into a rectangle of roughly the same size and shape. Stack them with white in the middle and the red and green layers on top and bottom. Trim the long edges for evenness—trust me, a neat edge makes rolling the log so much smoother!

Step 7: Rolling the Dough Into a Log

This is my favorite part: gently rolling up the stacked dough into a tight log. Use the bottom piece of parchment to roll and lift to avoid cracks. You want this roll compact so the pinwheel design stays intact. Wrap it in plastic and chill for at least 1-2 hours, which helps the shape hold when slicing.

Step 8: Rolling in Nonpareils and Slicing

Once chilled, unwrap the dough and roll it on a baking sheet covered with holiday-colored nonpareils. I press gently but firmly so the sprinkles stick all around the log. Then slice off the uneven ends with a sharp knife, and cut the log into thin 1/4-inch cookies. Lay them spaced about 1-2 inches apart on parchment-lined sheets. If they’re mostly even thickness, they all bake uniformly.

Step 9: Baking and Cooling

Pop your cookies into a preheated 350°F oven for about 10-12 minutes, just until set but not browned. As soon as they come out, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely for that perfect bite—soft, buttery, and festive.

How to Serve Festive Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I often dust my plate with a little powdered sugar or scatter a few extra holiday sprinkles around the cookies to make the display even more festive. Sometimes a tiny mint leaf or cranberry resting alongside adds a fresh touch of color and aroma that guests love.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a warm cup of spiced cider, hot cocoa, or a classic peppermint latte. For a party, I like to set them alongside a cheese board with some figs and nuts — the sweet and salty combo is a crowd-pleaser!

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve rolled out this recipe as mini gift packs tied with twine, or arranged the cookies on a tiered dessert stand for an eye-catching holiday centerpiece. Wrapping a few cookies in cellophane with a cute holiday tag also makes a charming present for neighbors or teachers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep their softness well for up to a week, although honestly, they rarely last that long around my house!

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, freeze the dough log wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing and baking. Freshly baked cookies can also be frozen in an airtight container and thawed gently before serving.

Reheating

Leftover cookies taste fantastic warmed just slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low oven (300°F) for about 5 minutes. This revives that soft, fresh-baked texture that makes you want another right away.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Festive Pinwheel Cookies Recipe has become one of those go-to holidays treats I look forward to every year. They bring such joy with their colors and tender crumb, and making them feels a little like wrapping sweetness up into a present. If you try these, I hope you have as much fun making them as I do—and that your family and friends go crazy when they see (and taste!) these charming pinwheels on the cookie plate.

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