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Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
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Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a festive and delightful treat that combines buttery sweetness with vibrant red and white swirls. This easy recipe uses simple pantry staples to create soft, flavorful cookies that are perfect for holiday sharing and gifting. Their iconic swirl design, mild vanilla and almond flavors, and adaptability to various dietary needs make these cookies a joyful baking project and an eye-catching addition to any seasonal cookie platter.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (cold)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Additional

  • Red food coloring (gel or liquid, enough to color half the dough)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Cream together the cold unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract for a warm, festive aroma. In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, then gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a tender dough forms.
  2. Divide and Color the Dough: Split the dough evenly into two portions. Add red food coloring to one half and knead gently until the color is evenly distributed. Leave the other half plain to create the contrasting swirl effect.
  3. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough portion into a rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick and of equal size to ensure even baking and consistent shapes.
  4. Create the Pinwheel: Place the red dough rectangle on top of the plain rectangle. Carefully roll them up tightly from one of the shorter edges to form a log. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set the shape.
  5. Slice and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the chilled dough log into 1/4-inch thick rounds and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden.
  6. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to prevent breakage, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely while maintaining their perfect pinwheel shape.

Notes

  • Use cold butter for a flakier texture that is easier to roll and shape.
  • Chill the dough log thoroughly to slice cleanly and maintain the swirl during baking.
  • Roll dough evenly to ensure uniform baking and professional appearance.
  • Remove cookies from the oven as soon as edges turn golden to keep them soft and tender.
  • Try cutting the dough log diagonally for an interesting twist on the traditional swirl shape.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cookies, pinwheel cookies, holiday baking, festive cookies, swirl cookies, vanilla almond cookies, make-ahead cookies

Find it online: https://eazyum.com/christmas-pinwheel-cookies/