There’s just something about Christmas Pinwheel Cookies that makes the season feel extra magical. With their cheerful red and white swirls, these cookies are practically a holiday celebration in edible form! Each bite mixes buttery, soft sugar cookie flavor with a hint of festive fun—making them a showstopper for cookie swaps, gifting, or, honestly, for enjoying straight off the cooling rack with a mug of cocoa. If you’re looking for a treat that shouts “holiday spirit!” while still being simple to make, this is the recipe you’ll turn to again and again.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies is that they rely on classic pantry ingredients that come together for both flavor and flair. Every ingredient plays a part—whether it’s boosting the rich taste, keeping the cookies moist, or adding that unmistakable festive color!

Granulated sugar: The key to that perfect sweet bite and helps create tender crumbly cookies.
Salted butter, softened: Adds richness and a bit of salty depth, which keeps the cookies from being overly sweet.
Vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with cozy, warm vanilla notes—essential for true sugar cookie flavor.
Large egg: Binds everything together for a dough that’s smooth and easy to roll.
All-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, giving the cookies their soft but sturdy structure.
Baking powder: Ensures the cookies puff up just the right amount while baking.
Red liquid food coloring: Creates that festive swirl for Christmas Pinwheel Cookies—go bold for bright, merry colors!

How to Make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Step 1: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Vanilla

Grab your stand mixer and beat together the sugar, softened butter, and vanilla until they’re light, fluffy, and creamy—usually about 2 minutes. This creates a luscious base so the cookies will bake up tender and not dense.

Step 2: Add the Egg

Scrape down those sides, then drop in your egg. Keep mixing until everything is totally combined, making sure your batter is silky-smooth. This step keeps your cookies bake-friendly and sturdy for all the upcoming rolling.

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients

Add flour and baking powder to the bowl. Mix on low until you don’t see any more streaks of flour. The dough should be soft but hold together in a ball—if it feels sticky, don’t worry, a chill in the fridge will work wonders!

Step 4: Divide and Add Color

Time to get festive! Divide the dough in half. Remove one half to a piece of parchment paper, then add your red food coloring to the dough left in the mixer. Blend until the color is totally even—imagine the perfect holiday red!

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Split each color in half, so you have two pieces of red and two pieces of uncolored dough. Shape each into a rectangle and wrap them in plastic wrap. Let them rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes; chilling helps create sharp layers and makes rolling a breeze.

Step 6: Roll and Layer the Dough

After chilling, roll each piece into an 11×7-inch rectangle on parchment. Trim any jagged edges so you end up with nice, clean lines. Stack a red rectangle on a plain one, and for variety, lay a red rectangle under a plain one for the other set—this gives you two unique pinwheel effects!

Step 7: Shape Into Logs

Carefully roll up each layered rectangle into a tight log. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and chill them for at least 1 to 2 hours (or overnight if you like to prep ahead). This step is crucial for crisp, defined swirls in your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies!

Step 8: Slice and Bake

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut your chilled dough logs into cookies about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Place them about an inch apart—they’ll spread a little! Bake for 9 to 11 minutes: they’re best just barely golden on the edges.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack. This helps them set so they won’t fall apart. Once cool, dig in or start plating them up for guests!

How to Serve Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Garnishes

If you want to take your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies to the next level, roll the dough logs in festive sprinkles before slicing. The extra pop of color is irresistible on any dessert table. A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can also add elegance and extra sweetness!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with mugs of hot cocoa, homemade eggnog, or even a bold coffee—anything rich and warming to help those swirls shine. For a holiday cookie platter, serve them up with other favorites like gingerbread men or chocolate peppermint bark for a merry medley.

Creative Ways to Present

Showcase your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies in a clear glass jar tied with a ribbon, or stack them in decorative boxes for neighbor gifts. For parties, arrange them in a star or wreath shape on a platter, making your dessert table look festive and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store fully cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to keep the swirls pristine and prevent sticking.

Freezing

Both the finished cookies and the unbaked dough logs freeze beautifully! Seal them tightly in plastic wrap and a freezer bag—unbaked logs can be thawed just enough to slice and bake fresh, while cookies can be enjoyed straight from the freezer or thawed for about 30 minutes.

Reheating

If you enjoy your cookies a little warm, pop them on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes. They’ll taste soft and fresh, with those sweet swirls perfectly restored.

FAQs

Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?

Absolutely! Gel food coloring provides a more vibrant hue and won’t affect the dough texture. You may need less than the recipe calls for, so start small and add until you reach that holiday red.

Do I really have to chill the dough twice?

Yes—chilling the dough before and after rolling ensures those pinwheels are sharp and stop the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It’s the secret to those eye-catching, perfect spirals in Christmas Pinwheel Cookies!

What if I want more colors for my pinwheels?

Get creative! You can divide the dough into three or more colors for a rainbow or other holiday shades. Just keep the layers thin so the cookies roll up tightly.

Can I make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies ahead?

Definitely. Prepare the dough logs days in advance and leave them in the fridge, or freeze them for up to three months. When holiday guests drop by, you’re just a quick slice-and-bake away from fresh cookies!

Why are my cookies losing their swirl shape?

If your cookies aren’t holding their shape, it usually means the dough wasn’t chilled enough or your oven was too hot. Make sure to chill thoroughly and keep an eye on baking times for picture-perfect Christmas Pinwheel Cookies every time.

Final Thoughts

It’s impossible not to smile when you see a plate of Christmas Pinwheel Cookies gleaming with swirled holiday cheer. Whether you bake them for loved ones, holiday gatherings, or a special moment just for yourself, these cookies bring both festivity and heart to every bite. Don your coziest sweater, cue up the carols, and get ready to bake up some holiday joy!

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 28 reviews

Author: Patricia
Total Time: 3 hours
Yield: 36 cookies
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These fun, festive Christmas pinwheel cookies are perfect for the holidays with layers of swirled sugar cookie dough for the ultimate sweet treat!

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie Dough:

1¼ cups granulated sugar
1 cup salted butter, softened
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
3 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon red liquid food coloring

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Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add the sugar, butter, and vanilla extract. Beat the ingredients on medium until creamy, about 2 minutes.
Use a rubber spatula and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the egg and continue mixing until combined.
Add the flour and baking powder and mix together on the low setting until no streaks of flour are visible.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Divide the dough in half and remove half of it to a piece of parchment paper. Add the food coloring to the remaining dough in the stand mixer bowl and mix together on low speed until the color is uniform.
Divide each half of the dough in half so that you have 2 red and 2 dough-colored pieces. Form each piece into its own separate rectangle. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
After the dough is finished chilling, remove one piece of dough and roll it out on a piece of parchment paper until it is roughly an 11×7-inch rectangle. Repeat with all pieces of dough. Trim the edges with a knife, so you have straight lines.
Once all 4 pieces of dough are rolled out, carefully place one red piece on top of the dough-colored piece. On the other two pieces, place the red on the bottom.
Carefully roll each rectangle into a log. Wrap in plastic wrap and place back in the refrigerator for an additional 1 to 2 hours, or overnight.
When ready to bake these cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Remove 1 log from the refrigerator and carefully slice ¼ to ½-inch-thick cookies, depending on how thick you want them. Space cookies about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the cookies are barely starting to brown on the edges.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Repeat the steps to finish cooking the remaining log of cookies.

Notes

Don’t skip the chilling time. This will help them keep their rolled shape.
While completely optional, we love how these cookies look with sprinkles on the outside. Roll the log in colorful sprinkles before slicing.
These cookies taste best if they are not overcooked, so watch them carefully.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American