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Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

4.6 from 5 reviews

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There’s something magical about biting into a delicately swirled cookie that tastes as joyful as it looks. That’s why I can’t get enough of the Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe — it’s a true holiday classic with pops of red and green that brighten every bite and every plate.

A white plate is full of round swirl cookies with three layers in red, white, and green, spiraled evenly from the center to the edge. Each cookie has the red outer edge decorated with small white, red, and green round sprinkles, giving it a festive look. The cookies have a smooth, soft texture with bright colors, contrasting sharply against the white marbled background. A green and white checkered cloth is blurred in the background, adding a cozy feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 this …
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Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made these pinwheel cookies a few Christmases ago, and instantly fell in love with how simple ingredients come together to create something so visually stunning and delicious. Plus, they’re perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holidays.

  • Festive and fun: The red, green, and white swirls scream holiday cheer, making them a centerpiece on any cookie platter.
  • Deliciously buttery: The tender, buttery dough melts in your mouth, with just a hint of vanilla to keep it cozy.
  • Customizable: You can add your favorite sprinkles or tweak colors to suit any holiday vibe or personal style.
  • Great for gift-giving: Their pretty design and easy packaging make them a perfect edible gift.
The image shows several round cookies stacked close together on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has three visible spiral layers: a bright red outer layer, a creamy beige middle layer, and a vivid green inner layer, all swirling in a smooth pattern. The edges of the cookies are decorated with small white, red, and green sprinkles adding a festive touch and textured contrast. The overall look is colorful, vibrant, and crisp with clear lines between the layers, creating a playful and holiday-themed appearance. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a role in creating that perfect tender texture and vibrant look. The balance of sugars and butter gives these cookies their classic richness, while the flour and a touch of baking powder keep them just chewy enough. Let’s take a closer look:

Flat lay of three small piles of fresh all purpose flour, a small mound of light brown sugar, a small mound of granulated white sugar, a whole large brown egg with clean shell, a square of unsalted butter softened to room temperature, two small white ceramic bowls each containing bright red and vibrant green liquid food coloring, a small white ceramic bowl filled with multicolored holiday sprinkles, and a small white ceramic bowl holding pure vanilla extract, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997
  • All-purpose flour: Provides structure but keeps the cookie tender when mixed just right.
  • Baking powder: A pinch helps the cookies puff slightly without losing their shape.
  • Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.
  • Unsalted butter: The star of any good cookie — brings richness and softness.
  • Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses depth.
  • Granulated sugar: For sweetness and a slight crisp edge.
  • Large egg: Binds everything together and helps the dough hold its form.
  • Pure vanilla extract: Brings warmth and that comforting cookie aroma.
  • Red and green food coloring: To create those iconic Christmas swirls that make these cookies stand out.
  • Holiday sprinkles: A festive finish to add sparkle and crunch.
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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

While I stick to the traditional red and green for my Christmas celebrations, you can totally make this recipe your own. I love swapping out the sprinkles for crushed peppermint candy for an extra festive feel or adding a hint of almond extract instead of vanilla for a subtle twist.

  • Variation: One year, I made these in all blue and silver shades for a winter wonderland party — they were a huge hit! Feel free to adjust colors or add your favorite edible glitter for that extra sparkle.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl — this ensures everything is evenly combined before adding wet ingredients. I like to set this aside while I cream the butter and sugars.

Instructions

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until fully combined; set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar using a mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add Egg and Vanilla. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated and smooth.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring gently until no streaks of flour remain and the dough comes together.
  5. Divide and Color Dough. Divide the dough into three equal portions. Add red food coloring to one portion and green food coloring to another; leave the final portion plain white. Mix each portion until the color is even.
  6. Roll and Layer Dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll each colored dough portion into a 12 by 8 inch (30 by 20 cm) rectangle. Layer the dough rectangles with green on bottom, then white, then red on top.
  7. Form the Log. Starting from the long edge, roll the layered dough tightly into a log. The rolling may elongate the log slightly.
  8. Coat with Sprinkles and Chill. Roll the dough log in holiday sprinkles to coat the outside fully. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to firm up.
  9. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) or 160°C if using a fan oven. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  10. Slice and Bake Cookies. Remove the chilled log from the refrigerator and slice into ¼ inch thick slices. Arrange the slices cut side down on the prepared baking sheets, spaced slightly apart.
  11. Bake Cookies. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are just puffed up and lightly golden on the edges. Optionally, rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
  12. Cool Before Serving. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and set.

Notes

  • Rotate cookies halfway through baking to promote even browning.
  • The recipe yields approximately 36 to 48 cookies depending on the thickness of your slices and tightness of rolling.
  • Chilling the logs is essential to keep the colors firm and prevent spreading when baking.
  • Any dough scraps from trimming the log can be baked separately, offering colorful, mixed swirl treats.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 120 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 60 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg

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