Pin It Festive, buttery sugar cookies with vibrant red and green swirls, perfect for holiday celebrations and cookie exchanges.
This recipe has been a holiday favorite in my family for years, bringing festive cheer to cookie exchanges everywhere
Ingredients
- For the Dough: 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter softened, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- For Coloring and Decoration: Red gel food coloring, Green gel food coloring, 1/3 cup (65 g) colored sanding sugar (red and green) optional
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Step 2:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 3 minutes).
- Step 3:
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
- Step 4:
- Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated.
- Step 5:
- Divide the dough into three equal portions. Leave one plain. Tint one portion with red food coloring and the other with green, mixing each until the color is even.
- Step 6:
- Roll each dough portion between two sheets of parchment paper into rectangles about 9x6 inches (23x15 cm), to roughly the same size and thickness. Chill for 20 minutes.
- Step 7:
- Carefully stack the colored dough rectangles, placing the plain layer on the bottom, followed by red, then green. Trim edges to align.
- Step 8:
- Tightly roll up the dough from the long side into a log, peeling away the parchment as you go. If desired, roll the log in colored sanding sugar for a festive edge.
- Step 9:
- Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours, until firm.
- Step 10:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 11:
- Slice the chilled log into 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) rounds and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Step 12:
- Bake for 9 11 minutes, until just set but not browned. Cool on the sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pin It This recipe always brings my family together during the holidays, creating sweet moments and lasting memories
Required Tools
Electric mixer, Mixing bowls, Measuring cups and spoons, Rolling pin, Parchment paper, Plastic wrap, Sharp knife, Baking sheets, Wire rack
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten) eggs and dairy (butter). Colored sugars and food coloring may contain allergens check labels if sensitive
Nutritional Information
Calories 90, Total Fat 4.5 g, Carbohydrates 12 g, Protein 1 g per cookie
Pin It Enjoy these festive pinwheel cookies fresh or store them in an airtight container for up to a week
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I achieve the vibrant red and green colors?
Use gel food coloring for more intense, vibrant hues without altering the dough’s texture. Mix thoroughly to ensure even coloring.
- → Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, the dough can be frozen for up to one month. Slice and bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
- → What is the best way to get clean pinwheel swirls?
Chilling the dough layers before rolling and slicing helps maintain clean, distinct swirls without the dough sticking or smearing.
- → How thick should the cookie slices be?
Slice the rolled dough log into approximately 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) rounds for consistent baking and even texture.
- → Can I substitute any ingredients for dietary needs?
Butter may be substituted with plant-based alternatives for dairy-free diets, though texture and flavor will vary. Adjust accordingly.
- → Why add colored sanding sugar?
Colored sanding sugar adds festive sparkle and a slight crunch, enhancing both appearance and texture.