Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are bright, cheerful, and perfect for adding joy to any holiday gathering. These colorful cookies feature smooth vanilla dough rolled into eye-catching red and green spirals. The dough slices cleanly and bakes evenly, while the crunchy nonpareils add charm and texture. Every bite delivers soft sweetness with a festive twist. They are great for cookie exchanges, gifting, or adding sparkle to your dessert trays. The dough is easy to prepare, freezes well, and can be made ahead for a stress-free holiday season. These pinwheel cookies are guaranteed to impress guests and bring holiday cheer to everyone who tries them.
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
A fun and festive holiday cookie featuring red and green swirls rolled in crunchy nonpareils.
Ingredients
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Red and green gel food coloring
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup salted butter, softened
Holiday-colored nonpareils
Instructions
Cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl and combine with the wet ingredients to form a soft dough. Divide the dough into two equal parts. Tint one part red and the other green using gel food coloring. Roll each colored dough between parchment sheets to form rectangles. Stack one on top of the other and roll into a tight log to create a swirl. Roll the log in holiday nonpareils. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours until firm. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Slice the chilled dough into even rounds. Bake for 9–11 minutes until the edges look set. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a rack. Store in an airtight container once completely cooled.
Tips
Use gel coloring to achieve bright swirls. Chill the dough thoroughly to help it slice cleanly. Rotate the dough log while slicing to keep the round shape. Freeze the dough log for up to three months for easy holiday prep.
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies: A Festive Swirl of Holiday Magic
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 24–30 cookies 1x
Description
Bright and festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies with red and green swirls rolled in colorful nonpareils. Soft, sweet, and perfect for holiday baking.
Ingredients
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Red and green gel food coloring
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup salted butter, softened
Holiday-colored nonpareils
Instructions
1. Cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until fluffy.
2. Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine with the wet ingredients to form a soft dough.
5. Divide the dough into two equal parts.
6. Tint one dough red and the other green using gel coloring.
7. Roll each dough into rectangles between parchment sheets.
8. Stack the dough sheets and roll into a tight swirl log.
9. Roll the dough log in nonpareils.
10. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours or until firm.
11. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
12. Slice the dough into 1/4-inch rounds.
13. Bake for 9–11 minutes or until edges are set.
14. Cool briefly on the baking sheet.
15. Transfer to a rack to finish cooling.
16. Store in an airtight container when cooled.
Notes
Gel coloring keeps the dough bright without adding moisture.
Chilling helps the dough slice neatly.
Rotate the dough log while slicing to keep the round shape.
Freeze the dough log for baking later.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert / Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
