Pin Festive, buttery sugar cookies with vibrant red and green swirls, perfect for holiday celebrations and cookie exchanges.
This recipe is a favorite in my family during the holiday season. The colorful pinwheels always brighten up our cookie trays and bring smiles to everyone.
Ingredients
- For the Dough: 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter softened, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- For Coloring and Decoration: Red gel food coloring, Green gel food coloring, 1/3 cup (65 g) colored sanding sugar (red and green) optional
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- Step 2:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 3 minutes).
- Step 3:
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
- Step 4:
- Gradually add the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated.
- Step 5:
- Divide the dough into three equal portions. Leave one plain. Tint one portion with red food coloring and the other with green mixing each until the color is even.
- Step 6:
- Roll each dough portion between two sheets of parchment paper into rectangles about 9x6 inches (23x15 cm) to roughly the same size and thickness. Chill for 20 minutes.
- Step 7:
- Carefully stack the colored dough rectangles placing the plain layer on the bottom followed by red then green. Trim edges to align.
- Step 8:
- Tightly roll up the dough from the long side into a log peeling away the parchment as you go. If desired roll the log in colored sanding sugar for a festive edge.
- Step 9:
- Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours until firm.
- Step 10:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 11:
- Slice the chilled log into 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) rounds and place on prepared baking sheets spacing 2 inches apart.
- Step 12:
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until just set but not browned. Cool on the sheet for 3 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pin Our family loves gathering to bake these cookies every year, sharing stories and laughter as the kitchen fills with sweet aromas.
Required Tools
Electric mixer Mixing bowls Measuring cups and spoons Rolling pin Parchment paper Plastic wrap Sharp knife Baking sheets Wire rack
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten) eggs and dairy (butter). Colored sugars and food coloring may contain allergens check labels if sensitive.
Nutritional Information
Per cookie: Calories 90 Total Fat 4.5 g Carbohydrates 12 g Protein 1 g
Pin These cookies are a delightful holiday treat that combines festive colors with buttery sweetness.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I achieve the vibrant red and green colors?
Use gel food coloring to tint portions of the dough; gel colors provide rich, vivid hues without altering texture.
- → Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes, wrap the rolled dough log tightly and chill for at least two hours or freeze up to one month for later baking.
- → What is the best way to slice the chilled dough log?
Use a sharp knife to cut 1/4-inch thick rounds for evenly sized pinwheels that bake uniformly.
- → How does the chilled dough affect the baking process?
Chilling firms the log, preventing spreading and preserving the pinwheel pattern during baking.
- → Can I customize the flavors of the cookies?
Adding extracts like almond to the plain dough portion enhances flavor; consider adjusting colors for different occasions.