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Classic Slice-and-Bake Holiday Pinwheel Cookies

Close-up of colorful red, green, and cream pinwheel cookies stacked on a white plate.
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Make these classic slice-and-bake pinwheel cookies featuring beautiful red and green swirls. This buttery swirl cookie recipe is simple to assemble and perfect for your next Christmas cookie exchange.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Red food coloring (gel preferred)
  • Green food coloring (gel preferred)
  • Extra granulated sugar or nonpareil sprinkles for rolling

Instructions

  1. Beat the softened butter and 1 cup of sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
  3. Divide the dough evenly into three equal portions. Leave one portion plain (this will be the white dough).
  4. Color the second portion with several drops of red food coloring until you achieve a vibrant red hue. Color the third portion with green food coloring.
  5. On a piece of plastic wrap, roll each color of dough into a smooth log, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
  6. Place the three logs side-by-side on a clean surface. Gently press them together to form one large log.
  7. Roll the combined log in extra granulated sugar or nonpareil sprinkles until fully coated.
  8. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to slice easily. This step is key for make ahead cookies.
  9. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  10. Slice the chilled dough log into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place the colorful spiral cookies about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  11. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Do not overbake.
  12. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For the best swirl effect, ensure the dough logs are firm before pressing them together.
  • You can easily customize the colors for any occasion, such as pink and white for Valentine’s Day cookies swirls.
  • This dough freezes well. Wrap the logs tightly and freeze for up to three months. Slice and bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hungryhearld.com/pinwheel-cookies-slice-and-bake-recipe/