1. Introduction to the Recipe
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are festive, eye-catching, and surprisingly easy to make. With their classic red, green, and white spiral design rolled in sprinkles, these cookies are a guaranteed hit on any holiday cookie tray. Beyond their bright, candy-cane-like appearance, they offer a buttery vanilla flavor and a soft, slice-and-bake texture that makes them as delicious as they are decorative.
This recipe uses a simple sugar cookie base that’s divided, colored, layered, and rolled into a log before being sliced into beautiful pinwheels. The key to success is chilling the dough thoroughly, which keeps the spiral sharp and the cookies from spreading. Rolled in a generous coating of holiday sprinkles, each cookie bakes up into a perfect round with a vibrant, crunchy edge.
If you’ve never tried your hand at a spiral cookie before, don’t worry—it’s easier than it looks. For first-time tips on rolling dough cleanly, this cookie rolling guide is super helpful. And for ideas on how to theme your cookie boxes, check out this Christmas cookie box assembly guide.
With showstopping looks and classic flavor, Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are the kind of holiday baking project that makes the season feel extra special.
2. Basic Recipe: Ingredients and Instructions
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Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Description
These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are soft, colorful spiral sugar cookies rolled in sprinkles. Easy slice-and-bake recipe perfect for holiday trays.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (12.75 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (8 oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1.25 cups (8.75 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Red and green food coloring (gel recommended)
- 1 cup (6.75 oz) holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine dry and wet: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients on low speed until a dough forms.
- Divide and color dough: Split the dough evenly into three portions. Leave one plain, color one red, and the other green. Use gel coloring for bold, even tones.
- Roll out dough: On parchment paper, roll each dough portion into a rectangle approximately 9×12 inches. Layer the rectangles on top of each other (white, red, green), pressing gently.
- Form the log: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, using the parchment to help you.
- Add sprinkles: Pour sprinkles onto a tray and roll the log in them to coat the outside completely.
- Chill: Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm.
- Slice and bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the log into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 9–11 minutes or until edges are set.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Notes
Gel food coloring yields more vibrant colors without adding excess moisture to the dough.
Rolling the dough between sheets of parchment makes handling and stacking easier.
Chill the dough log until very firm to avoid smearing the spiral design when slicing.
Use a sharp knife and clean it between slices for perfect rounds.
Baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to a month.
3. Advanced Techniques
Create Custom Color Combos
While red, white, and green are traditional, you can tailor the color palette to your theme—blue and silver for winter, red and pink for Valentine’s Day, or any colors to match your party. Just follow the same rolling and layering method.
Add Flavor Layers
Enhance the visual layers with subtle flavor additions. Try almond extract in the white dough, peppermint in the red, and orange or lemon zest in the green. Each color gets its own personality, and it all blends into a fragrant, exciting cookie.
Roll in Sugar Instead of Sprinkles
If you prefer a more minimalist look or want less crunch, roll the dough log in sanding sugar or granulated sugar instead of sprinkles. It still adds sparkle and sweetness without the extra texture.
Slice with Dental Floss for Clean Cuts
Unscented dental floss can give cleaner slices than a knife, especially if the dough is very cold. Just slide the floss under the log, cross it over the top, and pull to slice down.
Freeze the Dough Log for Later
Want to bake fresh cookies on demand? Freeze the wrapped dough log for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, let it thaw just enough to slice cleanly, then bake as usual.
4. Storage, Shelf Life, and Maintenance Tips
Room Temperature Storage
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Separate layers with wax paper if stacking to preserve the sprinkles and spiral design.
Freezing Dough Logs
The unbaked cookie dough log freezes well for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag. Thaw just slightly before slicing and baking.
Freezing Baked Cookies
Fully baked cookies can be frozen for up to 4 weeks. Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw at room temp before serving.
Refreshing Stored Cookies
If your cookies lose their just-baked texture, pop them in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes. This revives the crisp edges without drying them out.
Transporting Without Smearing the Sprinkles
To transport these cookies, layer them in tins with parchment between each layer. If stacking, face the sprinkled edges outward so they don’t get smushed.
5. Dietary Adaptations and Substitutions
Gluten-Free Option
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Chill dough longer to help with firmness and reduce spreading during baking.
Vegan Version
Use vegan butter and an egg substitute like flax egg or aquafaba. Choose vegan-friendly food coloring and sprinkles (some contain shellac or gelatin).
Low-Sugar Substitute
Use a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener or erythritol in place of granulated sugar. Keep in mind, the texture may be slightly different. Roll in unsweetened coconut flakes for a lower sugar finish.
Dairy-Free Adaptation
Substitute plant-based butter for regular butter. Make sure your sprinkles and food coloring are dairy-free as well.
Nut-Free and Allergen-Friendly
The base recipe is nut-free, but check labels on sprinkles, colors, and vanilla extract for cross-contamination. Always confirm if baking for someone with allergies.
6. FAQs About the Recipe
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Over-softened butter or under-chilled dough can cause excess spreading. Be sure to chill the rolled log for at least 2 hours or until very firm before slicing and baking.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough log up to a week in advance and keep it refrigerated, or freeze for longer storage. Slice and bake when ready.
How do I get clean spiral cuts?
Chill the dough log thoroughly, use a very sharp knife, and wipe it clean between cuts. Or try slicing with unflavored dental floss for perfectly neat slices.
Can I use liquid food coloring?
Gel coloring is highly recommended—it’s more concentrated and won’t alter the dough texture. If using liquid, you may need more flour to keep the dough firm.
What’s the best way to roll the layers evenly?
Use parchment sheets, a ruler, and a rolling pin with guides if available. Rolling each layer to the same thickness and trimming the edges before stacking helps create cleaner spirals.
7. Conclusion & Final Thoughts
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are everything you want in a holiday treat—festive, fun, buttery, and bright. The hypnotic spirals and sprinkle-coated edges make them stand out on any cookie platter, and they deliver classic sugar cookie flavor with a joyful twist.
They’re also practical: make the dough ahead of time, slice when needed, and always have something colorful and delicious ready for guests, gifts, or cookie swaps. The process is simple enough for beginners but satisfying enough for seasoned bakers who want a little flair.
Whether you stick to traditional colors or get creative with custom combinations, Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are the kind of nostalgic holiday baking that brings smiles to all ages. Keep them in your seasonal rotation—you’ll be glad you did.