The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
The holiday season brings with it a wave of cozy traditions, sparkling lights, and irresistible aromas drifting from the kitchen. One dessert that perfectly captures the magic of Christmas is the Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookie—a colorful rolled sugar cookie with red and green swirls that look just as cheerful as they taste delicious. These cookies are a nostalgic favorite, combining a soft, buttery texture with classic vanilla sweetness. Their whimsical swirl pattern makes them a standout addition to cookie boxes, Christmas dessert tables, or holiday gifting.
Pinwheel cookies have existed for decades, often appearing in baking books as versatile rolled cookies that can be customized by color, flavor, or filling. What makes the Christmas version so popular is the bright trio of holiday colors—red, green, and natural vanilla—which create a candy-cane-inspired spiral. They’re surprisingly simple to prepare, but the visual payoff makes them look like something straight out of a professional bakery.
Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, creating homemade gifts for friends, or simply craving a fun, festive treat with your family, these Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies bring joy to every bite.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- Eye-catching, vibrant swirls – They look incredibly festive with minimal effort.
- Perfect texture – Soft, buttery, and tender with a slight crisp at the edges.
- Make-ahead friendly – Dough can be chilled, frozen, or baked ahead.
- Kid-friendly baking activity – Children love helping with the swirl and roll process.
- Perfect for gifting – These cookies package beautifully for holiday boxes and tins.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Red gel food coloring
- Green gel food coloring
For Decorating (Optional)
- Holiday sprinkles
- Fine sanding sugar
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (optional). Mix again until fully combined.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Avoid over-mixing.
2. Divide and Color
- Divide the dough evenly into three portions.
- Leave one portion plain (vanilla).
- Tint the second portion red using gel food coloring.
- Tint the third portion green. Knead until the color is evenly distributed.
3. Roll Out the Layers
- Roll each dough portion between sheets of parchment paper until they reach rectangle shapes (about ¼ inch thick and roughly the same size).
- Chill each sheet for 20–30 minutes to make stacking easier.
4. Create the Pinwheel Stack
- Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator.
- Stack the layers:
- Place the green layer on the bottom,
- Then the red layer,
- Then the vanilla layer.
- Gently press with a rolling pin to fuse the layers.
5. Roll the Dough Into a Log
- Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a spiral log.
- Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours—or freeze for 30–45 minutes.
6. Slice and Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Slice the chilled dough into ¼-inch cookie rounds.
- If desired, roll the edges in sprinkles for extra festive color.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes until the edges are set but not browned.
- Allow cookies to cool on a wire rack.
Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Bright, buttery, swirl-patterned sugar cookies perfect for Christmas gifting, holiday parties, and festive baking.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Slowly mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Divide dough into three equal parts. Tint one red, one green, and leave one plain.
- Roll each dough portion between parchment sheets into rectangles and chill.
- Stack layers and gently roll with a rolling pin to fuse.
- Roll into a tight log, wrap, and chill for 2 hours.
- Slice into 1/4-inch rounds and bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes.
Notes
Freeze dough logs for make-ahead convenience.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
1. Use Gel, Not Liquid, Food Coloring
Gel coloring provides vibrant shades without adding too much moisture, which can affect dough consistency.
2. Chill the Dough for Clean Spirals
Warm dough becomes soft and sticky, causing uneven rolls. Proper chilling ensures smooth, sharp spirals.
3. Trim Edges Before Rolling
Cutting the dough into a clean rectangle helps your spiral roll tightly and evenly.
4. Freeze for Easy Slicing
If the dough still feels soft, freeze the log briefly before slicing. This prevents squishing and keeps the cookies perfectly round.
5. Add Flavored Variations
- Peppermint extract for candy-cane flavor
- Lemon or orange zest for brightness
- Cocoa powder for chocolate pinwheels
Serving Suggestions
These cookies pair wonderfully with:
- Hot chocolate topped with marshmallows
- Christmas morning coffee
- Festive charcuterie-style dessert boards
- Cookie exchange platters
- Holiday gift tins tied with red ribbon
They also make beautiful edible decorations—try hanging them on the Christmas tree using ribbon loops!
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing
Storing Baked Cookies
Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
Freezing Dough Logs
Wrap the dough logs tightly in plastic wrap + foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Simply thaw slightly, slice, and bake.
Freezing Baked Cookies
Freeze in layers separated by parchment for up to 3 months.
Fun Festive Facts
- Pinwheel cookies originated from rolled cookie traditions in Europe.
- The classic red and green swirl became popular in the 1950s with the rise of colorful icing and decorative baking.
- These cookies symbolize unity and celebration due to their spiral shape—perfect for Christmas gatherings.
