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I first learned these Cream Cheese Jam Pinwheel Cookies in my grandma's tiny kitchen. She showed me the secret to those perfect swirls, and it's now one of the recipes I hold dearest. The way cream cheese turns the dough soft and flaky while jam creates those sweet colorful spirals is just wonderful. They always bring back warm memories of her whenever I bake them.
Delightful Taste Sensation
The magic behind these cookies comes from how the tangy cream cheese base plays against the sweet fruit jam. They look really fancy but don't need any special skills to make. Whenever I share them at parties, everyone's shocked when I tell them I made them myself.
Ingredients List
- Cream Cheese: 4 oz, room temperature, giving you that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick), room temperature, for that amazing flakiness.
- Granulated Sugar: ¼ cup, adding just enough sweetness to the base.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon, bringing out all the flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour: 1¼ cups, forming the foundation of your cookies.
- Jam: ⅓ cup of whatever flavor you love (try raspberry, strawberry, or apricot for best results).
- Optional Toppings: Powdered sugar or basic icing to finish them off.
Baking Instructions
- Mix Your Base
- Whip the cream cheese and butter until smooth then add sugar and vanilla until everything's well combined.
- Chill Out
- Cover your dough and pop it in the fridge as this makes rolling much easier later.
- Make The Magic
- Put your dough between parchment and roll flat then spread a thin layer of jam across it.
- Cool Again
- Tightly roll everything up and chill once more so you can cut clean slices.
- Into The Oven
- Cut into rounds and bake until they turn a light golden color.
- Finishing Touches
- Wait for them to cool then sprinkle with powdered sugar and they'll look like tiny works of art.
Fun Variations
Playing with different jams is half the fun raspberry's my top pick but apricot makes them taste like bakery pastries. I sometimes throw in some cinnamon or crushed nuts for extra flavor. My little ones go wild when I swap the jam for Nutella.
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Storage Tips
These treats stay tasty for several days when stored in something airtight. I always try to keep some unbaked dough rolls in my freezer so I can quickly slice and pop them in the oven whenever we want something sweet.
Effortless Elegance
Making these cookies brings me so much joy. Every swirl turns out unique and they never fail to get compliments. They work perfectly for casual coffee dates or wrapped up as holiday presents everyone loves them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What kind of jam is best to use?
- Smooth spreads like apricot, raspberry, or strawberry work great. Stay away from chunky types, they’re harder to roll.
- → Why chill the dough in two steps?
- The first chill makes the dough manageable for rolling. The second keeps the swirl shape intact while slicing. Don't skip!
- → Can I prep these in advance?
- Definitely! Freeze the dough rolls for up to three months. Thaw them in the fridge before slicing and popping into the oven.
- → How can I stop jam from spilling out?
- Spread just a thin layer of jam, leaving a little border near the edges. Don’t overload it!
- → Why are my swirls not round enough?
- Ensure the dough is chilled and firm. Use a sharp blade and wipe after each cut for smooth, round slices.