Christmas Pinwheel Cookies – Festive and Fun for the Season

Description:
Add a swirl of holiday cheer to your cookie tray with these delightful Christmas Pinwheel Cookies! Featuring vibrant red, green, and white dough, these festive treats are buttery, soft, and sure to impress. Perfect for gifting or serving at your holiday gatherings, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.

Ingredients (Makes ~36 cookies)

For the Dough:

• Unsalted butter (softened): 1 cup (2 sticks or 230 g)
• Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200 g)
• Egg: 1 large
• Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
• All-purpose flour: 3 cups (375 g)
• Baking powder: 1 tsp
• Salt: ½ tsp

For Coloring:

• Red gel food coloring: ½ tsp
• Green gel food coloring: ½ tsp

Optional Decorations:

• Sprinkles (for rolling): 1 cup

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Divide and Color the Dough

1. Divide the dough evenly into three portions.
2. Leave one portion plain (white). Mix red food coloring into the second portion and green food coloring into the third portion. Knead each portion until the color is evenly distributed.

Step 3: Assemble the Pinwheels

1. Roll out each portion of dough into a rectangle about ¼-inch thick on parchment paper. Ensure all rectangles are the same size (approximately 9 x 6 inches).
2. Stack the rectangles: place the green layer first, followed by the white layer, and finally the red layer. Press gently to adhere the layers together.
3. Using the parchment paper for support, roll the stacked dough tightly into a log, starting from the longer side. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) until firm.

Step 4: Slice and Bake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. If desired, roll the chilled dough log in sprinkles for added festivity.
3. Slice the log into ¼-inch thick rounds and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just set (do not overbake to keep the colors vibrant).
5. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Success:

• Chilling the dough: Ensure the dough is well chilled before slicing to maintain clean, sharp layers.
• Even rolling: Use a ruler or a rectangular template to ensure the layers are even.
• Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container to maintain their buttery texture.

Recommendations:

• Gifting idea: Pack these cookies in holiday tins or clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons.
• Variations: Add peppermint extract to the dough for a minty twist or swap the sprinkles for crushed candy canes.
• Freezing: Freeze the dough log for up to 1 month. Thaw slightly before slicing and baking.

Nutrition (Per Cookie):

• Calories: ~80
• Protein: 1 g
• Fat: 4 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Sugar: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g

These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a show-stopping addition to your holiday baking repertoire. Fun to make, delightful to look at, and delicious to eat—spread the holiday joy one swirl at a time! ✨