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To make Christmas pinwheel cookies, you need these simple ingredients: - 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon almond extract - ½ cup red food coloring - ½ cup green food coloring - ½ cup powdered sugar (for dusting) These ingredients create a sweet and colorful cookie that brightens any holiday table. The all-purpose flour gives the cookies structure, while the butter adds richness. Granulated sugar offers sweetness, and the egg binds everything together. Vanilla and almond extracts provide lovely flavor notes. The vibrant red and green food coloring is what makes these cookies festive. You can also dust them with powdered sugar for a snowy finish. Each ingredient plays a key role in making these cookies not just tasty, but also fun to look at! {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well and set it aside. 2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Beat until the mix is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. 3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mix. Mix on low speed until fully combined. 4. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. Stir on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. 5. Divide the dough into two equal balls. Leave one ball plain and color the other with red food coloring. Mix well. 6. Take the plain dough and add green food coloring. Mix until the color is evenly spread. 1. Lay out two sheets of parchment paper on your workspace. Place each colored dough on separate sheets. 2. Roll each dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick using a rolling pin. 3. Carefully peel off the top layer of parchment from the red dough. Place the uncolored dough on top, then set the parchment back down. 4. Start rolling the dough from one end to form a tight log. Wrap the log in parchment paper. Chill it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. After chilling, take the dough out of the fridge. Use a sharp knife to slice the log into rounds about ¼ inch thick. 3. Place the cookie slices on the baking sheet, leaving space between each. 4. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking. 5. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Chilling your dough is key. It helps the cookies hold their shape. If you skip this step, your cookies may spread too much. Wrap the dough tightly and chill it for at least 2 hours. For the best taste, chill it overnight. Avoid overmixing your dough. When you mix too much, the cookies can become tough. Mix just until you see no flour. This keeps them soft and chewy. Dust your cookies with powdered sugar before serving. This adds a lovely touch and makes them look festive. Use a small sieve for an even coat. For a fun presentation, serve the cookies on a bright platter. Add small sprigs of evergreen or candy canes around them. This makes your table look cheerful and inviting. Pro Tips Chill Time is Key: Allowing the dough to chill for at least 2 hours helps to firm it up, making it easier to slice into perfect rounds. Use Parchment Paper: Rolling the dough between parchment sheets prevents sticking and makes it easier to transfer the rolled log to the refrigerator. Watch the Oven: Keep an eye on the cookies while they bake; they can go from perfectly golden to overbaked quickly. Festive Presentation: Dust the cookies with powdered sugar just before serving for an extra festive appearance and sweetness. {{image_4}} You can make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies even more fun. Adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg gives a warm taste. Mix in about a teaspoon of either spice into your dough. It adds depth and a cozy feel to your cookies. Using different food colors can also change the look. You can create blue and silver cookies for a winter theme. Just swap the red and green for blue food coloring. You can also create swirls by mixing colors together. This makes each cookie unique! If you need gluten-free options, use gluten-free flour. You can find blends that work well in cookies. Just replace the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of gluten-free flour. For vegan substitutes, swap the butter for vegan butter. Use a flax egg to replace the large egg. To make a flax egg, mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes to thicken. This keeps your cookies plant-based and tasty! To keep your Christmas pinwheel cookies fresh, store them at room temperature. - Use an airtight container. - Place parchment paper between layers of cookies to avoid sticking. - Keep them in a cool, dry place. You can also freeze cookies for longer storage. - Wrap each cookie in plastic wrap. - Place wrapped cookies in a freezer bag or airtight container. - They can last up to three months in the freezer. For the best taste, eat your cookies within one week. - Store them in their container at room temperature. - Check for freshness by feeling their softness. Signs that cookies have gone stale include: - A dry or hard texture. - Loss of flavor or scent. - Unpleasant odors. Stay on top of your cookie storage to enjoy them longer! Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. Prepare the dough and chill it as directed. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge before rolling and baking. To stop cookies from spreading, chill the dough well before baking. Chilling firms up the butter, which helps keep the shape. Use parchment paper on the baking sheet for easy removal. Also, make sure not to overwork the dough, as this can lead to extra spreading. You can use any color food coloring you like! Try blue for winter or yellow for spring. You can even mix colors for fun patterns. Be creative and use natural colors like beet juice or matcha for different shades. Yes, you can use margarine instead of butter. However, the taste and texture may change slightly. Choose a stick margarine for best results. Softened margarine should blend well with sugar, just like butter. Creating pinwheel cookies is fun and easy. We covered all the steps, from mixing dough to rolling it. You learned how to make colorful cookies and store them for later. Remember, chilling the dough is key for the best results. Try adding spices or different colors for a twist. With these tips, your cookies will impress everyone. Enjoy baking and sharing your tasty creations!

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 10 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients
  

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

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set the bowl aside for later use.
  • In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for about 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the ingredients are fully combined.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until everything is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
  • Divide the dough into two equal portions. Leave one half uncolored for the base and to the other half, add the red food coloring. Mix thoroughly until the color is evenly distributed.
  • Take the remaining half of the dough and add the green food coloring, mixing until fully incorporated.
  • Lay out two sheets of parchment paper on a clean workspace. Place each colored dough on separate sheets. Roll each one out into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick using a rolling pin.
  • Carefully peel off the top layer of parchment from one color of dough. Place the uncolored dough on top, and then gently set the parchment back down on top of the red dough.
  • Using the parchment to assist, start from one end and roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Once rolled, wrap the log in the parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for enhanced flavor.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • After chilling, remove the dough from the refrigerator. Using a sharp knife, slice the log into rounds about ¼ inch thick.
  • Arrange the cookie slices on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Watch closely to avoid over-baking. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Once the cookies have cooled, dust them with powdered sugar before serving for a festive touch.

Notes

For an extra festive touch, serve the cookies on a decorative platter, and consider placing small sprigs of evergreen or candy canes around them.
Keyword Christmas, cookies, holiday treats