If you love festive treats that taste as delightful as they look, you are going to adore these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies. This charming cookie features swirls of vibrant red, green, and classic buttery dough that come together in perfect harmony, creating a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. With their crisp edges, tender centers, and a sprinkle of sparkling red sanding sugar, these cookies are a holiday tradition waiting to happen in your kitchen. Get ready to bake a batch that will quickly become a favorite for every Christmas celebration.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are refreshingly simple but essential to achieving that perfect texture, flavor, and festive look. Each one plays a key role, whether it’s adding creaminess, sweetness, or those signature holiday colors.

2/3 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides a rich, creamy base and keeps the cookies tender.
2/3 cup sugar: Sweetens the dough while helping with structure and slight crispness.
1 egg: Binds the ingredients and adds richness.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Gives a warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste.
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, offering structure and chew.
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and heightens the flavors.
1/4 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender crumb.
Red gel food coloring: Makes the cookie dough a cheerful holiday red without adding extra moisture.
Green gel food coloring: Creates a vibrant green swirl that pairs perfectly with red.
Red sanding sugar: Adds sparkle and a touch of crunch as a garnish on each cookie.

How to Make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

Start by combining the softened butter and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat at medium speed for about 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is luxuriously creamy and fluffy. This step ensures your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies will have that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl and beat well until everything is fully incorporated. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to keep all the ingredients evenly mixed. This step introduces that beautiful depth of flavor and moisture your dough needs to come together perfectly.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Divide Dough

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, kosher salt, and baking soda. Then, gradually mix this dry combination into the wet ingredients on low speed. Once fully combined, remove the dough and divide it into three equal portions. This division is crucial for creating the iconic swirl effect of the Christmas Pinwheel Cookies.

Step 4: Color the Dough Portions

Take one portion back into the clean mixing bowl and mix in the red gel food coloring until the dough is uniformly red. Clean the bowl, then repeat with the second portion using green gel food coloring. The third portion remains natural. Form each colored dough into a ball, wrap securely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for one hour to firm up.

Step 5: Roll Out and Chill Dough Squares

Remove the chilled dough balls and roll each one between two sheets of parchment paper into roughly 7-inch squares. Pop the rolled dough back in the fridge for another 15 minutes while still sandwiched between parchment sheets. This chill time ensures easier handling in the next step.

Step 6: Assemble the Pinwheel Layers

Stack the chilled dough squares on a fresh sheet of parchment paper in this order: red on the bottom, green in the middle, and the plain dough on top. Place another piece of parchment paper over the stack and roll everything out gently into a large 12×8-inch rectangle. Remove the top parchment paper carefully before rolling the dough tightly into a log starting from one of the long sides. Wrap the dough log in parchment and freeze for one hour to set the shape.

Step 7: Slice and Decorate

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a serrated knife, slice the chilled log into 1/3-inch thick rounds. To give each Christmas Pinwheel Cookie a festive sparkle, roll the edges of each slice in red sanding sugar before placing the slices an inch apart on the baking sheets.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes until they are set but not browned. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a minute to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they have cooled, these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are ready to enjoy or store away.

How to Serve Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Garnishes

While the red sanding sugar edges already bring festive flair, you can add a little extra joy by dusting these cookies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or adding a tiny dab of colored icing on top. If you’re serving for a party, a few edible glitter touches can elevate your presentation to wow your guests.

Side Dishes

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies pair beautifully with warm drinks like a rich hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, or even a classic cup of black coffee. Their buttery sweetness balances perfectly with the warmth and spice, making every bite even more comforting. You can also serve them alongside a plate of freshly cut fruits or a selection of cheeses for an unexpected but delicious holiday snack spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, arrange your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies on a platter lined with festive greenery or holly sprigs to emphasize their seasonal spirit. You can also gift-wrap small batches in clear bags tied with a colorful ribbon, making a thoughtful and delightful present to friends, family, or coworkers. Displaying them in a multi-tiered cookie tower adds a playful and eye-catching element to your dessert table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to one week, retaining that pleasant crunch and tender bite. Keeping the cookies separated by parchment paper helps prevent them from sticking together and preserves their beautiful swirls.

Freezing

If you want to make these treats ahead of time or save some for later, the dough log can be frozen before slicing, or the baked cookies themselves can be frozen in a single layer within an airtight container. Be sure to thaw the baked cookies at room temperature before serving—they’ll taste just as wonderful as freshly baked.

Reheating

To refresh stored Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, warm them briefly in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes. This reheating step restores their crisp edges and release their buttery aroma, giving you the sensation of enjoying them right out of the oven once more.

FAQs

Can I make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies without food coloring?

Yes, you can skip the gel food coloring if preferred, but that signature red and green swirl is what makes these cookies so festive and visually striking. Natural alternatives like beet or spinach powder can be used, though they may alter the taste slightly.

What type of flour works best for these cookies?

All-purpose flour is ideal for this recipe since it provides the right balance of structure and tenderness. Using cake flour may result in a more delicate cookie, while bread flour could make them tougher.

How thin should I slice the cookie log?

Cut the dough log into slices about 1/3-inch thick for the perfect balance between crispy edges and a soft center. Thicker slices will require longer baking and may be more cakey, while thinner ones might overbake quickly.

Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Absolutely! A hand mixer works just fine for creaming the butter and sugar and mixing your dough. Just make sure to scrape down the bowl frequently to ensure even mixing.

Do these cookies keep their texture well over time?

Yes, when stored properly in an airtight container, Christmas Pinwheel Cookies remain crisp and tender for up to a week. For longer storage, freezing is recommended to maintain their texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

Baking Christmas Pinwheel Cookies is a wonderful way to add a splash of color and a whole lot of joy to your holiday festivities. With their simple ingredients and step-by-step method, these cookies are perfect for sharing the magic of the season with everyone you love. Trust me, once you make a batch, these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies will become a beloved yearly tradition you can’t wait to bake again and again.