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I whipped up these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies after my little ones begged for something fancy at their school holiday sale. The swirly red, green and white patterns always get folks grinning. I still remember my first batch - cutting into that cool log of dough and seeing those perfect spirals pop out felt like pure holiday magic happening in my own kitchen.
Totally Worth The Effort
These treats need more time than regular sugar cookies, but trust me, you won't mind once you see them. My kids crowd around to watch the magic moment when I slice the dough. And that rich buttery vanilla taste? It matches how pretty they look on any cookie plate.
What You'll Need
- All-Purpose Flour: 2½ cups, giving these cookies their shape and body.
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon, for a slight lift in your cookies.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon, cutting through the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (room temperature), making everything soft and tasty.
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup, for that sweet touch.
- Egg: 1 large, room temperature, holding everything together.
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons, adding that familiar yummy taste.
- Gel Food Coloring: Red and green, creating those eye-catching holiday shades.
Let's Create Some Magic
- Start Your Dough
- Combine your flour mix then beat butter and sugar until it's fluffy and white.
- Add Some Color
- Break your dough into three equal parts and color two with those holiday shades.
- Patience is Key
- Don't skip cooling each layer properly as it's crucial for those perfect swirls.
- Roll with Care
- Layer those colored doughs and roll them up snugly like a holiday present.
- The Big Reveal
- Cut through your chilled log to unveil those gorgeous spirals before they turn golden brown while baking.
My Best Tips
Go with gel food coloring for brighter colors that won't make your dough soggy. Don't try to hurry the cooling steps or your swirls won't look clean. I sometimes put in a tiny bit of peppermint extract for that Christmas smell that fills up the whole house.
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Keep Them Fresh
These pretty treats stay good for several days when stored right. I always keep a couple dough logs in my freezer so I can bake them whenever we want some holiday spirit. They work great as gifts too, just pop them in clear bags with some festive ribbon.
Holiday Wonder
These swirly cookies always bring smiles during our Christmas gatherings. There's nothing better than seeing someone's eyes light up when they spot those colorful spirals. Every bit of careful rolling and waiting feels worthwhile when you see how much joy these little cookie wonders bring.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I achieve bold colors?
Add ¼ teaspoon of liquid food dye and adjust gradually until the color looks right. For gel dyes, a few drops should do since it's stronger.
- → What's the point of chilling the dough?
Chilling keeps the dough firmer, which makes handling, layering, and cutting easier. Take your time with these steps for the best outcome.
- → Can the dough be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! Keep the rolled-up dough log in the fridge for up to 3 days, or pop it in the freezer to store for around 2 months.
- → Do I need to trim the edges?
Yes, trimming gives the dough a clean finish, which helps create perfect swirls. The offcuts won't show the pattern, so toss them.
- → What can I do about dough cracking as I roll it?
If cracks appear, just press them back together gently. Letting the dough warm up slightly can stop cracks from forming in the first place.